Nicholas Petit-Frere could be the next man up.
With Thayer Munford listed as a game-time decision and Joshua Alabi unavailable to play, Petit-Frere is listed as a co-starter at left tackle on Ohio State's depth chart for its Friday night game at Northwestern.
Petit-Frere has been Branden Bowen's backup at right tackle for the first half of the season, but if Munford is unable to play, Petit-Frere – a five-star recruit in the class of 2018 – will make his first career start opposite Bowen.
“He’s had a tremendous offseason, I think he’s ready and able to go,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said regarding Petit-Frere when asked about the Buckeyes' offensive line depth last week. “I think Coach Stud has a little bit more confidence in a couple of these Big Ten games here with the fifth-year guys (Alabi and Bowen).”
Outside of offensive tackle, this week's depth chart does not include any other major changes from the first six games.
Tuf Borland is listed as a sole starter at middle linebacker with Baron Browning unavailable for Friday's game, with Dallas Gant listed as his backup. Teradja Mitchell – who is listed as a game-time decision after missing the last two games – is back on the depth chart, listed as a co-backup with K'Vaughan Pope at weakside linebacker.
Marcus Hooker has been added to the depth chart as a third-string safety, while Antwuan Jackson moves from fourth-string nose tackle to third-string defensive tackle.
Tight end Jake Hausmann is also unavailable for this week's game and is therefore absent from this week's depth chart.
Ohio State's full depth chart for this week's game:
