Sports

Ohio State fans can breathe easy about Buckeyes OL for a while (with a catch)

Scarlet and Game · Jul 22, 2026 13:00 · 3 min read

Ohio State fans can breathe easy about Buckeyes OL for a while (with a catch) — Arthur Smith sticking in Columbus long-term prolongs OSU's OL being elite. If it's for two years, this group is set. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

An Ohio State insider shares a reassuring update on the Buckeyes' offensive line. Here is why fans can finally breathe easy about the position group.

The Ohio State Buckeyes enter the 2026 season with extremely high expectations up front offensively. They could enter 2027 the same way, but with a catch.

As Cleveland.com's Stephen Means said on the latest episode of Buckeye Talk, “Every single starter for the next 24 months for Ohio State is already on the roster." For the 2026 season, that includes third-team Phil Steele Preseason All-American left guard Luke Montgomery, who's out of eligibility after this coming fall.

Right guard/potential returning left tackle Austin Siereveld and center Carson Hinzman may also be NFL-bound after the season. For 2026 and 2027, that should include a combination of potential LT1/utility OL Ian Moore, center/guard Joshua Padilla, right tackle/IOL Phillip Daniels, right guard Gabe VanSickle, and potential future franchise tackle Sam Greer.

Now, there's a catch here. As Cleveland.com's Andrew Gillis noted, “It’s more about, like. Ohio State under Ryan Day just can’t figure out the offensive line." So this line has a two-year window of being elite if Arthur Smith sticks around.

Is Arthur Smith just at OSU to springboard back to the NFL?

Such a defining question of the Buckeyes' 2026 season revolves around whether Smith is here to transition fully to the college game, or if he simply wants to get back to the NFL as soon as possible. If it's the latter, Smith may run into a Brian Hartline-esque situation at the end of the season, where all his prior achievements become irrelevant by the postseason and Ryan Day takes over.

Day has proven to be a stubborn play-caller at times, ignoring what his teams do best when the lights are shining brightest. Imagine Day trying to jam the RB platoon Smith establishes down opponents' throats come December and January while ignoring Jeremiah Smith, Chris Henry Jr., and the team's other receivers? It's not far-fetched to picture Day doing that.

That's a scary thought. Hopefully, Arthur Smith is in this for the right reasons, and that hypothetical never sees the light of day.

If Arthur Smith's intentions are pure in Columbus, OSU's ceiling is limitless

Let's explore the best-case scenario for a second. If Smith is a long-term play in Central Ohio, the Buckeyes could become one of the most consistent offensive trenches in the country. Not that they're not already, but for the full duration of the season.

As we know, protection has seemed to crumble at the worst time. With the level of skill-position players Day is able to bring in every cycle, we're talking about a potential OSU dynasty forming if this OL comes together under a play-caller known for heavy personnel groupings and subsequent touchdowns after a blocking wall swallows up defensive fronts.

That's an evergreen idea in Columbus to dominate in every facet of the game, but it's truly not far-fetched if Smith stays and the line grows together into his smashmouth style of play-calling. There's talent, a talented industry riser in Tyler Bowen at the OL coach spot, and a culture that's a step above other blue bloods.

All the ingredients are there. Let's hope Smith wants to stay in the kitchen after fulfilling his destiny as the answer at offensive coordinator this coming campaign.