With the 21st pick in this past April's NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals snagged Ohio State center Billy Price. Then, at No. 168, the Seattle Seahawks gave Price's former teammate Jamarco Jones, the Buckeyes' left tackle, a call.
What did it mean for Urban Meyer and crew? Well ... it left two huge holes to fill; literally and figuratively.
But when Ohio State lines up against Oregon State in less than three weeks, the Buckeyes will still have plenty of beef up front.
As of now, here are the five offensive linemen projected to start on Sept. 1:
| Position | LT | LG | C | RG | RT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLAYER | THAYER MUNFORD | MICHAEL JORDAN | BRADY TAYLOR | DEMETRIUS KNOX | ISAIAH PRINCE |
| HEIGHT/WEIGHT | 6-6, 319 | 6-7, 312 | 6-5, 295 | 6-4, 312 | 6-7, 310 |
Together, those measurements spit out an average of just under 6-foot-6 and 309.6 pounds. Massive.
In fact, that projected depth chart boasts of a larger average height and weight than OSU's professional counterparts up north:
| Position | LT | LG | C | RG | RT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLAYER | JOEL BITONIO | AUSTIN CORBETT | J.C. TRETTER | SPENCER DRANGO | CHRIS HUBBARD |
| HEIGHT/WEIGHT | 6-4, 305 | 6-4, 306 | 6-4, 307 | 6-6, 315 | 6-4, 295 |
The Browns carry average measurements of just over 6-foot-4 and 305.6 pounds.
This was the case last year as well. Ohio State was 12-2, Cleveland was 0-16.
An omen? Nope, but it could absolutely be a sign of good things to come for Buckeye fans if you compare this year's averages to 2017's — 6-foot-6, 311 pounds, a drop of simply two pounds.
According to footballoutsiders.com, Ohio State's line ranked within the top 10 in the nation in four ever-important categories last fall.
The Buckeyes were eighth in adjusted line yards at 119.8, fifth in standard downs line yards per carry at 3.46, third in stuff rate at 12.2 and second in opportunity rate at 46.1.
Explanations for those statistics can be found here.
Sure, Jones and Price are significant losses, and they had a big hand in producing the above statistics. But if you're looking at size alone, the similarities are glaring.
And let's not forget the Buckeyes will have four returning lettermen at their disposal who, together, own 68 career starts.
Offensive line coach Greg Studrawa will undoubtedly call upon Jordan, a junior, and Prince, a senior, to lead the charge.
Prince, who was initially moved to left tackle during the spring before making the switch back to right, enters his third season as a starter. Jordan, who started as a true freshman in 2016, also enters his third year as a starter.
The bulldozing duo has started in 27 consecutive games. Prince is returning from a third-team All-Big Ten nod last year while Jordan was adorned with first-team all-conference honors.
Munford, a sophomore, played in 12 of 14 games last season and was on the field for 202 snaps, while Taylor, one of only eight fifth-year seniors on the team, played in 13 of 14 contests.
Knox, a senior, played in all 14 games and started in eight after Branden Bowen went down with injury.
Size, experience and durability are a mix any program covets. Ohio State has all three.
Historically, the Buckeyes have habitually yielded strong offensive lines. It's safe to say the same expectations have been put into place this fall.
Alongside Wisconsin — which brings back three All-Americans in David Edwards, Beau Benzschawel and Michael Deiter — Ohio State makes the case to have one of the best offensive lines in the Big Ten.
Sure, you still have to go out and take care of business. But on paper? It's all there.
