Ohio State’s offensive line grew into one of the team’s most reliable units in 2025.
Ohio State’s offensive line entered the 2025 season with questions, reshuffled roles, and several players stepping into unfamiliar responsibilities. It leaves the regular season as one of the most cohesive and reliable units in the country, a group that quietly became a strength for a Buckeye team built around a young quarterback and explosive skill talent.
While not flawless, the line’s overall performance, development arc, and late-season form, especially in The Game, make a strong case that it deserved Joe Moore Award finalist consideration in my opinion.
Left side transformation: Siereveld and Montgomery set the tone
No individual symbolized the line’s evolution more than Austin Siereveld’s transition from right guard to left tackle. Sliding from the interior to arguably the most demanding position on the line, Siereveld not only held up, he thrived.
His combination of footwork, length, and composure against top edge rushers stabilized Julian Sayin’s blind side all season. The results were reflected in his Second Team All Big Ten selection. A recognition that underscores how seamlessly he adapted to a role few expected him to master so quickly.
Next to him, Luke Montgomery delivered one of the most important development stories on the roster. After flashing promise during last year’s playoff run, Montgomery took a major step forward in 2025 and became a steady, dependable presence at left guard.
His improvement showed up in both pass protection and run blocking, where he consistently generated movement at the point of attack. Montgomery’s week-to-week consistency allowed the offense to operate with balance and confidence.
Interior stability and right-side fluctuation
At center, Carson Hinzman quietly put together a strong season after a strange and inconsistent 2024 that saw him bounce in and out of the lineup, before ending the season off with a good playoff run. This year, Hinzman provided steadiness, communication, and clean snaps, anchoring protections and helping Sayin navigate fronts and pressure looks.
His growth was evident in how rarely interior pressure disrupted Ohio State’s timing, a critical factor for a young quarterback operating a timing-based passing game.
Right guard proved to be the most volatile spot on the line by far. Tegra Tshabola handled the bulk of the snaps there but endured an uneven season marked by inconsistency, particularly in pass protection and short-yardage situations.
As a result, Ohio State experimented with rotations and spot usage from players like Ethan Onianwa, Gabe VanSickle, and Josh Padilla in an effort to find the right combination. While the shuffling occasionally disrupted continuity, it also highlighted the staff’s willingness to adapt and search for solutions rather than settle.
At right tackle, Phillip Daniels’ emergence helped offset some of that instability. After arriving from Minnesota as a presumed backup, Daniels earned the starting job through a strong camp and grew into the role over the course of the season.
He experienced expected growing pains but finished the year trending upward, highlighted by a strong performance against Michigan. His development provides Ohio State with a reliable edge presence on the right side entering the postseason.
The bigger picture and playoff outlook
Taken as a whole, Ohio State’s offensive line delivered a highly effective season. The group protected Julian Sayin at an impressive level for most of the year, allowing the offense to function with rhythm and confidence until the Indiana game exposed some late issues. In the run game, the line consistently generated push and rushing lanes, helping sustain balance and control tempo across the schedule.
Most importantly, this unit appears to be peaking at the right time. With Siereveld settled at left tackle, Montgomery and Hinzman playing their best football, Daniels trending upward, and the right guard rotation continuing to evolve, Ohio State enters the playoff with an offensive line clicking at the exact right time.
The growth, adaptability, and overall effectiveness of this group make a compelling case that they belonged in the Joe Moore Award conversation, and those same traits now position the offensive line as one of Ohio State’s most valuable assets as the playoff begins.
Category: General Sports
