Ohio State head coach Ryan Day solidified his offensive line during Tuesday’s press conference held at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, announcing sophomore Carson Hinzman, junior Josh Simmons and senior Josh Fryar as the team’s starting center, left tackle and right tackle, respectively. The three Buckeyes will each assume starting roles on the offensive line for the first time in their respective careers.
Hinzman, a second-year Buckeye who redshirted his freshman season in 2022, was competing for the starting center role with Louisiana-Monroe transfer Victor Cutler Jr. According to Day, the Spring Valley, Wisc. native separated himself from Cutler following a strong performance at fall camp.
“We believe that Carson can do it because we’ve seen it on the field,” Day said. “Carson deserves the opportunity to play. He’s practiced well. There’ll be butterflies early on, but once you get into the meat of it, you start to work through those things, and before you know it, you have some games under your belt.”
Simmons, who arrived at Ohio State in June after spending two seasons at right tackle for San Diego State, made an immediate impact on the team during fall camp on the left side of the line, prompting Day to proclaim that they are “very excited” about the potential of the third-year transfer. He beat out sophomore Tegra Tshabola for the position.
“The good thing about Simmons is he actually played in college games,” Day said.
Fryar is entering his fourth season at Ohio State with three years left of eligibility. Although he has seen little time as a starter across his first three years in the Scarlet and Gray, earning just one start at right tackle in 2023 during the team’s Nov. 12 matchup against Indiana, he appeared in each of the Buckeyes’ 13 games last season. The Beach Grove, Ind. native saw shuffled across the line during fall camp, but ultimately finds himself at right tackle to start his senior campaign, beating out true freshman Luke Montgomery for the role.
“Josh has played in games,” Day said. “He actually has played a significant amount of time, so that’s good.”
With the three offensive line competitions finalized, Ohio State will enter their season opener against Indiana with a solidified front five that also consists of returning starters Donovan Jackson and Matthew Jones, who will reclaim their roles at left and right guard, respectively.
