Ian Moore heard the criticisms of Ohio State’s offensive line after the Cotton Bowl, but they didn’t make him question his decision to be a Buckeye.
They only made him hungrier to become a part of Ohio State’s offensive line himself.
Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye is under the microscope entering the 2024 season after Ohio State’s offensive line struggled throughout 2023, culminating in a Cotton Bowl collapse in which the Buckeyes allowed 10 tackles for loss and constant pressure on quarterbacks Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz. The Buckeyes return four starters from last year’s offensive line, but all of them have to prove themselves this year with the unit’s shortcomings this past season.
Moore is fully confident in their ability to bounce back and get the job done in 2024.
“Everyone struggles. Everyone has their bad games and I’m not going to speak down on the performance,” Moore told Eleven Warriors in early January before enrolling at Ohio State. “I will say this though: Everyone’s reaction is motivating me. The ‘Fire Frye’ comments, the ‘Hit the Portal’ comments are what motivate me. I have complete confidence in my coach and those guys in front of me to not only win but dominate.”
Now that Moore has started his Buckeye career, he has a chance to help Ohio State’s offensive line get back on track. The highest-rated offensive lineman in Ohio State’s 2024 recruiting class as the No. 164 overall prospect in 247Sports’ composite rankings, Moore may in turn be the most likely freshman offensive lineman to earn a spot on the Buckeyes’ two-deep this year.
Moore already has college-ready size, measuring in at 6-foot-6 and 317 pounds at the All-American Bowl. He was named the top high school offensive lineman in the state of Indiana last year, and it’s not hard to see why when watching his film, which features repeated clips of Moore dominating defenders as both a run and pass blocker.
While Moore was listed as an interior offensive lineman by some recruiting websites, he’s expected to start his Ohio State career at offensive tackle, where he played at New Palestine High School. That said, Moore will gladly play anywhere he can help the team.
“Whatever they need me at is what I’ll play,” Moore said. “Guard or tackle, as long as I’m playing football.”
“I have complete confidence in my coach and those guys in front of me to not only win but dominate.”– Ian Moore on Justin Frye and Ohio State’s offensive line
Ideally, Ohio State won’t need Moore to play regularly as a true freshman as it will be looking for its returning tackles and guards to step up. But Moore hopes to at least earn a role on special teams.
“I’m just trying to get on the field,” Moore said. “Special teams is the first step and if I thrive there, you know, maybe I can creep into that rotation.”
As an offensive lineman himself, Moore knows firsthand how hard the position can be to play, giving him reason to defend his new teammates from the criticism they received for their play last season. Whenever his time to play comes, he hopes Ohio State fans will recognize his efforts to perform as well as he can even on the days when he’s not at his best.
“I’m gonna come in, work my tail off, get closer with my guys and play football,” Moore said when asked for his message for the fans. “I’m here to play football and get my degree, and I’ll have my bad games and days but I just need them to have my back.”
