Although he’s played only 10 offensive snaps in his first two seasons as a Buckeye, Jakob James has no doubt that Ohio State is where he belongs.
A three-star prospect in the recruiting class of 2020, James did not play at all when he redshirted his true freshman year. Last season, James got on the field for snaps at the very end of blowout wins against Indiana and Michigan State, but otherwise played only on special teams.
Now going into his third year at Ohio State, James still isn’t likely to be a starter on the Buckeyes’ offensive line. His recruiting classmate Luke Wypler sits in front of him on the depth chart at center, his preferred position. But James, a Cincinnati native, says he’s never thought he should leave Ohio State for a chance at more playing time elsewhere.
“It definitely is hard. But ever since I've been here, I've always had the right mindset that I'm in the right place, that I'm here to stay and that I'm gonna get my turn, eventually,” James said this spring. “And I just have to perform when it comes. So yeah, I mean, sometimes it is hard, going home and visiting family and then having to drive back up, like just missing them and stuff. But no, they know I'm in the right place. I know I'm in the right place. And I'm comfortable with waiting my turn.”
While James will likely have to wait his turn for a starting opportunity for at least one more year, he does appear to be in line for more playing time this season. He spent the spring repping as the second-team center and is in position for a spot on the offensive line two-deep for the first time in his career.
That doesn’t guarantee he’ll be the next man up at center, as Ohio State coaches have said right guard Matt Jones could slide over to center if anything happens to Wypler. But on an offensive line depth chart that remains in flux behind the starting five, James is likely to be one of the first two or three offensive linemen off the bench along with Josh Fryar and Enokk Vimahi.
“Jakob James has had an outstanding offseason, gives some good depth inside,” offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said in March. “Matt's probably our second center, although Jakob’s had a great spring and advancing his way like he needs to do.”
James has mostly practiced at center as a Buckeye after playing tackle in high school, but he’s also spent some time at guard. He believes he is capable of stepping in at any of the three interior offensive line positions if Ohio State needs him to play this year.
“I would like to consider myself to be able to be ready for those spots when my number's called,” James said. “That's a big philosophy here is to be ready when your number's called. And I would like to do that. Going into the spring, going into fall camp, just competing as well, but also just trying to be ready so I can step in if my number is called.”
Now going into his redshirt sophomore season, James says he feels much more ready to play than he did even a year ago. He says playing with guys like Wypler, Jones and former Ohio State center Josh Myers over the past two years has helped him raise his game.
He’s also transformed his body physically through his work with Ohio State’s strength and conditioning staff and by improving his nutrition.
“I feel much more comfortable,” James said. “Kind of getting a better understanding of everything, what it takes, the expectations of being here. I just definitely feel completely different from when I got here. And I can't thank the coaches enough. But still a long way to go.”
“It definitely is hard. But ever since I've been here, I’ve always had the right mindset that I’m in the right place, that I’m here to stay and that I’m gonna get my turn, eventually.”– Jakob James on waiting for his chance to play
Because Wypler is also a redshirt sophomore, James doesn’t have a clear path to the starting center job right now unless Wypler opts to leave Ohio State early for the NFL. His best shot at becoming a Buckeye starter in the near future might be at guard, where Jones is a fifth-year senior (though he still has an additional year of eligibility) and Donovan Jackson could potentially move outside to tackle next year.
Assuming he does eventually get the chance to show what he can do as the anchor of Ohio State’s offensive line, though, James believes Buckeye fans will be impressed by what they see.
“I think they're gonna see a smart center,” James said. “Fast, physical, being a leader out there, and just being comfortable in my shoes.”
