Inside Ian Moore's push to be Ohio State's starting left tackle

The third-year offensive lineman played well in spots last year, and has had a chance this spring to stake a claim for a starting job.

Ohio State’s Ian Moore is trying to win a starting tackle job heading into the 2026 season. (Photo by Bill Landis)

COLUMBUS — Ian Moore seems relaxed now. He sat down for his lone interview of the spring on Wednesday afternoon. Before fielding questions from the media, he fielded a few from teammate Luke Montgomery, who asked Moore what it was like to play next to “the sexiest offensive lineman in the country.”

Moore paused as he pondered the question. Then he raised his arms, the left one covered in an elaborate tattoo sleeve, ran his gloved and taped hands through his longer-than-usual hair, smiled behind his bushy mustache, and suggested that it is he, not Montgomery, who might have a better claim to that title.

We’ll let the masses decide.

What was more important during the funny exchange is that Moore certainly seems comfortable in his own skin in his third year at Ohio State, as he makes a real run at a starting job for the first time. If he can pull it off, then the Buckeyes’ offensive line puzzle could come together quite nicely.

“It’s an amazing opportunity,” Moore said. “But, in my opinion, I’m not there yet. I just gotta keep working, keep pushing. Come the season, we’ll find out then.”