The future stars of Ohio State football officially begin their college careers, as standouts from all over the country put pens to their National Letters of Intent.
With depth up front a necessity in the 2020 recruiting cycle, Ohio State ensured it added a deep haul of offensive linemen, and that includes Josh Fryar.
Josh Fryar is #XXclusive. Welcome to Columbus, @joshfryar2#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/sZPG4faiXJ
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 18, 2019
The Fryar File
- Class: 2020
- Size: 6-foot-5, 305 pounds
- Pos: OG
- School: Beech Grove (IN)
- Composite Rating: ★★★
- Composite Rank: 20 (OG)
The three-star offensive guard from Beech Grove, Indiana, became the fourth prospect in a 72-hour span to commit to Ohio State on July 4. And on Wednesday, he signed his National Letter of Intent to play for the Buckeyes.
Fryar initially earned his offer on Dec. 12, 2018 following the conclusion of his junior high school season. In the next few months, the quickly rising prospect earned scholarship offers from Oregon, Wisconsin, Alabama, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Louisville, Washington State, Michigan State and other schools. As an Indiana native with a father who played for the Hoosiers, the in-state Big Ten program made a strong push for Fryar, at one point even appearing as a possible leader for him.
He took a host of visits, including two unofficials to Columbus in March and April, before going on an official visit to Ohio State on June 21 to attend the team's Buckeye Bash & Barbecue, an event populated with a bunch of recruits and commits. Two weeks later, Fryar made his decision to commit to play on the offensive line for Greg Studrawa.
During the Buckeyes' regular season, Fryar made himself a fixture at Ohio Stadium, attending multiple home games with his fellow commits.
On the field, Fryar offers Ohio State a powerful, mauling run blocker that Studrawa can mold. He also brings a significant amount of versatility. At one point in the recruiting process, evaluators listed him as a center because he has played the position in high school. Yet at 6-foot-5, there's even a chance he ends up at offensive tackle. With such a large class of incoming lineman, Fryar's versatility is a notable asset.
Like most offensive linemen, he'll likely redshirt as a freshman, especially since he isn't expected to enroll until the summer of 2020.
Fryar is joined in Ohio State's recruiting class by five-star offensive tackle Paris Johnson, four-star center Luke Wypler, three-star offensive guard Jakob James and three-star offensive tackle Trey Leroux. Together, they're the most offensive linemen the Buckeyes have signed in a recruiting class since 2016, when they brought in Michael Jordan, Malcolm Pridgeon, Tyler Gerald, Gavin Cupp and Jack Wohlabaugh. Typically, Ohio State signs fewer linemen in each class, but a lack of depth made that area a focus in the 2020 cycle.
Now officially signed with the Buckeyes, Fryar can turn his focus to figuring out how best to spend the next six months preparing to join Studrawa's offensive line.
