No. 3 Ohio State still doing some shuffling along the offensive line ahead of opener vs. No. 1 Texas
Some of that the coaches credited to a new emphasis this preseason: players learning primary and secondary positions. But as the third-ranked Buckeyes get closer to their matchup with top-ranked Texas, Day is hoping to lock in his frontline sooner rather than later.
'It's important as we get closer to this first game for guys to really dig in and get the majority of the snaps at where they're going to play,' Day said this week.
Austin Siereveld, a third-year sophomore who entered preseason as the presumed starter at right tackle, has been working at left tackle over the past week. That's because Phillip Daniels, who transferred in January after two years at Minnesota, is in the running to start on the right side.
Rice transfer Ethan Onianwa is the potential backup at either spot. He is also getting a look at guard, where Tegra Tshabola and Luke Montgomery finished last season as starters flanking Carson Hinzman at center.
'We'll see,' Day said. 'By the end of this week, we'll have more and more snaps, more and more information, and go from there.'
Onianwa started 25 games at right tackle and nine at left tackle for Rice.
'I feel like it's kind of important for all the O-linemen to have experience in these positions because you never know how the season's going to progress, and that's just been kind of like the plan,' Onianwa said Tuesday. 'I've been playing guard, I've been playing tackle on both sides, and it's just a learning experience, and I'm enjoying every second of it.'
Daniels redshirted in 2023 and played in 12 games last season for the Golden Gophers.
If outsiders were surprised at his ascension, he indicated he is not.
'I know the plays now, so everything's just clicking,' Daniels said. 'Once I know the plays, I feel like I can kill anybody.'
Offensive line coach Tyler Bowen, who is in his first season in Columbus after spending three at Virginia Tech, downplayed the significance of the movement to a certain degree, but he confirmed the staff is putting an emphasis on learning multiple positions.
'It's something we believe in, and that's a good example of it,' Bowen said of Siereveld's moving around. 'He's bounced to tackle. He's played guard. I think what you see up front, we do that a lot. Nothing's set in stone. We have a lot of versatility. We have some depth, but we've got to be able to perform at a high level on the spot we settle into, and that's what we've got to figure out this week. And we've got to figure it out fast.'
While the starting lineup is still being determined, Day said he is happy about the depth up front with redshirt freshmen Gabe Van Sickle and Ian Moore making progress this month.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
13 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Twins owners opt to halt the sale and keep the club in the family, adding new investors instead
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins are no longer for sale, executive chair Joe Pohlad announced Wednesday on behalf of his family. After exploring a variety of options over the past 10 months, the Pohlad family will remain the principal owner of the club and add new investors instead. Carl Pohlad, a banking magnate and the late grandfather of Joe Pohlad, purchased the Twins in 1984 for $44 million. 'For more than four decades, our family has had the privilege of owning the Minnesota Twins. This franchise has become part of our family story, as it has for our employees, our players, this community, and Twins fans everywhere,' Joe Pohlad said in his announcement. 'Over the past several months, we explored a wide range of potential investment and ownership opportunities. Our focus throughout has been on what's best for the long-term future of the Twins. We have been fully open to all possibilities.' Pohlad said the family was in the process of adding two 'significant' limited partnership groups to bring in fresh ideas, bolster critical partnerships and shape the long-term vision of the franchise that relocated to Minnesota in 1961 after originating as the Washington Senators. Details about the new investors will be kept private until Major League Baseball approval of the transactions, Pohlad said. The Twins are on track for their lowest attendance total in 16 seasons at Target Field, and an ownership-mandated payroll reduction last year, among other factors, has contributed to a dissatisfied customer base. The Twins traded 10 players off their roster leading up to the July 31 deadline, furthering the frustration. Word that the Pohlads are staying put certainly won't help the morale of Minnesota baseball fans, who've been waiting for another World Series title since 1991. 'We see and hear the passion from our partners, the community, and Twins fans. That passion inspires us,' Pohlad said. 'This ownership group is committed to building a winning team and culture for this region, one that Twins fans are proud to cheer for.' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. ___ AP MLB:
Winnipeg Free Press
42 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Venus Williams gets a wild-card entry to play singles at the US Open at age 45
NEW YORK (AP) — Venus Williams gets a wild-card entry to play singles at the US Open at age 45.
Winnipeg Free Press
42 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Venus Williams gets a US Open wild card at age 45 and will be the oldest in singles since 1981
NEW YORK (AP) — Venus Williams will make her return to Grand Slam tennis at the U.S. Open after a two-year absence, receiving a wild-card invitation on Wednesday to compete in singles at Flushing Meadows at age 45. The American will be the oldest entrant in singles at the tournament since Renee Richards was 47 in 1981, according to the International Tennis Federation. Williams already had been given a wild-card entry by the U.S. Tennis Association for next week's mixed doubles competition. Singles matches begin in New York on Aug. 24. She is the owner of seven major singles championships — including at the U.S. Open in 2000 and 2001 — along with another 14 in women's doubles, all won with her younger sister, Serena, plus two in mixed doubles. Serena retired with 23 Slam singles trophies after playing at the 2022 U.S. Open. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. ___ AP tennis:
