Ohio State's offensive line has received a major boost.
Dawand Jones, who became Ohio State’s starting right tackle in 2021, is staying with the program for the 2022 season. The 6-foot-8, 360-pound lineman, who said he was “50-50” on whether or not he would return for another year leading up to the Rose Bowl, announced Monday that he will remain in Columbus for his senior season.
Breaking News: Dawand Jones will be returning for his senior year at Ohio State.
— Dawand Jones (@dawandj79) January 17, 2022
The Indianapolis native earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the media and third-team All-Big Ten distinction from the conference coaches during the 2021 season. Jones earned the starting right tackle job in the preseason, which led to Nicholas Petit-Frere moving from right tackle to left tackle and three-year starting left tackle Thayer Munford moving to left guard in order to make room for Jones in the lineup.
With Jones at right tackle, Ohio State’s offense led the nation in both points per game (45.7) and yards per game (561.2) during the 2021 season, while its 17 sacks allowed were tied for the 14th-fewest in the country.
Jones is one of three returning starters on Ohio State’s offensive line for the 2022 season, along with Paris Johnson Jr. – who’s expected to move from right guard to left tackle – and center Luke Wypler. Matt Jones and Donovan Jackson are the leading candidates to start at guard.
