Ohio State's Ryan Day Sets Timeline for Starting Offensive Line Decision
Ohio State football coach Ryan Day has a clear deadline in mind for naming the Buckeyes' starting offensive line, and that moment is fast approaching as preseason camp hits its stride.
Speaking at Big Ten Media Day, Day said the coaching staff aims to have the starting five sorted out by the ninth or tenth practice of camp. The Buckeyes hit that milestone on Aug. 15, meaning the competition is entering its decisive phase.
What has the offensive line competition looked like so far?
During the first three days of preseason practices, the only sessions open to media and the public, Ohio State tested two different configurations up front.
On days one and three, Ian Moore lined up at left tackle with Austin Siereveld at right guard. On day two, Joshua Padilla took over at right guard, allowing Siereveld to slide over to left tackle.
Right tackle Phillip Daniels, center Carter Hinzman, and left guard Luke Montgomery held their starting spots across all three days of camp.
Hinzman said the competition has been healthy for the unit, even as players would prefer clarity.
“I think it's always good to have options,” Hinzman said. “Obviously, you would like to know exactly who your starting five is, just because the offensive line is very different than a lot of other positions where we don't really rely on a lot of people. ... We have so many guys that have gotten so many reps that cohesion transcends the whole o-line we've got right now.”
Why is the offensive line a priority for the Buckeyes?
The urgency is understandable. Ohio State allowed 10 sacks in its two biggest games of last season, losses to Indiana in the Big Ten championship and to Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
Tegra Tshabola, the starting right guard all season, was pulled late against the Hoosiers and ruled out against Miami. That opened the door for Padilla and Gabe VanSickle to rotate at the position. An injury to Siereveld at left tackle in the second half against Miami gave Moore his first meaningful game action.
That postseason experience has put Moore and Padilla squarely in the mix to replace Tshabola, who transferred to Kentucky during the offseason.
How does Austin Siereveld's versatility factor in?
Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith credited Siereveld for giving the coaching staff the flexibility to experiment with multiple lineups. Siereveld started his Ohio State career as a part-time starter at left guard before moving to left tackle, where he started all of 2025.
“He's really a guy I see as a four-position player, inside and out,” Smith said. “That's kind of rare, to have that kind of versatility.”
What does the team need from its starting five?
With Day's deadline looming, the players in contention know the next few practices will shape the season. Hinzman emphasized the importance of building cohesion before the high-pressure moments arrive.
“For us to have a really firm foundation of what we do, and how we're going to do it ... you need those reps together,” Hinzman said. “You need to have a little bit of cohesion because when you get into the high-stress situations, like in Texas, Indiana, Iowa, at home against Oregon. You need to be able to learn how to communicate together.”
The Buckeyes will open the 2026 season on the road at Texas, a game that will test whatever lineup Day ultimately settles on.