Ohio State offensive line recruiting in Ohio -- both a new trend and a swing back to the old ways: Offensive Line Week

Bill and Doug kick off several days of offensive line recruiting analysis with a look at how the Buckeyes have handled bringing in Ohio linemen over the years.

Left tackle Austin Siereveld (67) is one of many in-state offensive linemen who have started for Ohio State over the years. (Photo courtesy of Ohio State)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State football featuring young men from Ohio on the offensive line is a way of life, a fundamental part of Buckeye football. From Gomer Jones in the 1930s, to Charles Csuri in the ‘40s, to Jim Parker and Bill Willis in the ‘50s, to Dave Foley in the ‘60s, to John Hicks in the ‘70s to Jim Lachey in the ‘80s to Orlando Pace in the ‘90s, the Buckeyes’ best blockers were typically homegrown.

As we introduce Offensive Line Week with Bill and Doug, why then are we considering a turn toward recruiting in-state offensive linemen something of a new revolution for the Buckeyes?

The in-state flavor on the O-line has wavered at times over the years. But as the Buckeyes balance their finances, with outside NIL money and internal revenue-sharing money now paid out to players, leaning on Ohio linemen takes on more of a strategic bent.

Can you win at the highest level with Ohio State offensive linemen? History says yes.

We’re not talking hometown discounts, but can future offensive line starters be found close to home at perhaps less of a cost than it would take to bring in high-profile out-of-state prospects? Yes.

Is offensive line a position where Ohio produces Ohio State-level talent, even if some of it is developmental, whereas that might not be the case at other positions? Yes.

That’s why we think the fact that four of Ohio State’s five offensive line commits in the Class of 2026 are from Ohio is a new trend, a strategic plan and a solid backbone for Ohio State recruiting in this class and beyond.

We’ll write and talk about that more over the next few days, with a look at the four Ohio linemen in this class and two others committed for 2027; a story about the outside coach serving as a key cog in the development of that talent; and a YouTube show and podcast talking about the 2026 offensive line to supplement the recruiting show we posted Wednesday for subscribers.

Again, it’s not new. It’s just a new spin on an old plan.