OSU Offensive Linemen Ethan Onianwa, Phillip Daniels Downplay Effects Of Potential Position Battle

Although head coach Ryan Day maintained that Ohio State’s depth chart is yet to be finalized during a media availability on Monday, the Buckeyes’ offensive line seems to be taking shape. With junior offensive lineman Austin Siereveld taking reps exclusively at left tackle and Tegra Tshabola, Carson Hinzman and Luke Montgomery seemingly taking hold of spots on the interior offensive line, the biggest question mark for the Buckeyes’ line seems to be at the right tackle position, where first-year Buckeyes Ethan Onianwa and Phillip Daniels are likely the frontrunners to win the job.

During a media availability on Tuesday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, offensive line coach Tyler Bowen wasn’t quite ready to say Onianwa and Daniels are entrenched in a position battle.

“I think a lot of time we look at things very linear,” Bowen said when asked about a potential battle between the two former transfers. “I don’t know if it’s just a battle between them, I think we still have ever-evolving battles within the group with guys that can play tackle, play guard. We can mix things around, but we’ve got to figure out that combination of the best five pretty quickly.”

Daniels, who played at Minnesota last year, and Onianwa, who transferred in from Rice after being with the team from 2021-23, may not have much experience with the Buckeyes, but each player gained plenty of experience last year at their respective schools. So far in fall camp, Bowen has appreciated the work ethic that both players have brought into Columbus.

“(They’re) great dudes, they come out and work, they picked up things really well and we got to continue getting them going in that direction,” Bowen said.

Like his position coach, Daniels shrugged off the effects of any potential position battle. Instead, the former Golden Gopher is focused on doing what he can do to help the team.

“I’m not motivated by (Onianwa), like he’s cool, he’s my brother, but I’m not motivated by him,” Daniels said when asked if competitiveness with other potential tackles like Onianwa has helped his development. “I’m trying to help this team and be the best right tackle in the nation.”

Despite being a multi-year starter at the FBS level, the jump from Rice to Ohio State came with a learning curve for Onianwa. Not only did the former three-star recruit out of high school have to adjust to the speed of the Buckeyes’ pass rushers, but he also wanted to get in better shape. Onianwa, who has lost over 30 pounds since arriving in Columbus, thinks consistency will be key for him to earn a starting spot on the offensive line.

“I feel like continuing to dive into the playbook and continuing to work on my craft,” Onianwa said when asked what steps he needs to take to be a starter. “Being consistent with what I’m doing, that’s the biggest thing.”