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2025 cornerback Jordyn Woods flips from Cincinnati and commits to Ohio State.
Winning the line of scrimmage, on either side of the ball, largely determines which team will win or lose a game.
When you watch Ohio State's tape from a season ago, its two losses (Penn State and Clemson) featured the Buckeye offensive line getting constantly pushed back into its own backfield.
So far this season, that hasn't been the case.
The Buckeyes rank in the top-20 nationally in both rushing (20th, 238.80 yards per game) and passing offense (13th, 326.0 ypg), and a lot of that has to do with the Ohio State offensive line, particularly the left side.
Speaking after practice on Wednesday, offensive line coach Greg Studrawa was asked how comfortable he was in the left side of his offensive line, led by Jamarco Jones at left tackle, in a short-yardage situation. His face instantly lit up.
“Him and Michael (Jordan) and Billy (Price), that is a pretty strong left side," Studrawa said.
Jones specifically has held down the left side of Ohio State's offensive line for the better part of the last two seasons. He even battled back from two preseason surgeries – wisdom teeth removal and appendectomy – to get ready for the season opener. According to Jones, he dropped nearly 25 pounds before the season while he missed time due to the operations.
Studrawa said he has been impressed with the way Jones has battled back, especially in Ohio State's last two games against UNLV and Rutgers.
"He is playing really well. He has been consistent. He missed a lot of camp and he lost a lot of weight but he is starting to get back to being himself right now," Studrawa said. "The first four or five games, he has gotten his weight back, he has gotten his strength back. He works hard and his last two games have been really good. The amount of knockdowns he has had in the last few games has been really impressive."
Anchoring the entire offensive line at center is Price, a four-year starter for the Buckeyes. His experience has been a valuable asset for Ohio State, and Studrawa said Wednesday that he helps the entire line, especially younger players like guards Branden Bowen and Jordan, settle into their roles.
“I am telling you right now, he is playing exceptional. He is at a high level, doesn’t make mistakes, organizes things up front for all those guys," Studrawa said. "He gives Bowen and Jordan comfort to compete, because they are never going to not know what’s going on.”
A second-year starter, Michael Jordan is continuing to improve at his left guard position.
The most criticized link on Ohio State's offensive line a season ago was Isaiah Prince, who often struggled in pass protection for the Buckeyes. Studrawa acknowledged Prince has improved tremendously this season, but there doesn't appear to be much debate as to which side of the line the Buckeyes will run behind when they need a crucial short-yardage conversion.
Jones said Wednesday that when Ohio State needs a tough yard or two, the coaches will let the offensive line have a say in where the ball goes, something he added is appreciated by the players.
“They definitely listen when you step up and show that you have that confidence. It’s just like a receiver telling the coach they want the ball. Run the ball behind us, we will get the job done," Jones said. "We are just out there doing our job to help this team win the best we can. In those situations, everybody wants to be relied on. It feels good knowing that the coaches have confidence in us.”
