It's not often we see an elite program struggling to recruit in one specific positional group. The Ohio State Buckeyes haven't recruited the offensive line especially well for years, and offensive line coach Justin Frye has been under fire for underperforming. Now, with 4-star prospect Jayvon McFadden committing this weekend, Frye is in the spotlight to deliver.
McFadden is choosing between Ohio State, Colorado, South Carolina, and Maryland. McFadden made an exclusive official visit to Columbus in early June, where the Buckeyes have taken a significant lead in the On3 forecasts.
Presently, Ohio State's recruiting class for 2025 boasts 24 commitments and holds the top position nationally. This class is highlighted by Carter Lowe, an exceptional offensive tackle from Whitmer (Ohio), who is at the forefront of the offensive line recruits.
But not all has been smooth under Frye.
The future of Frye as Ohio State's offensive line coach beyond this current season is poised to hinge on the outcomes on the field this autumn. With the season's start just two weeks away, the offensive line is still considered the team's most significant area of concern. Whether this group can notably improve from last year’s underwhelming performance, which reached a low point with a lackluster showing in a 14-3 Cotton Bowl defeat to Missouri, is crucial for the Buckeyes' aspirations for a championship.
Despite the setbacks last season, Ryan Day decided to retain Frye, trusting in his capabilities to enhance the front line's performance this season. Frye is well-regarded for his player development skills, and this season presents an opportunity for him to demonstrate this ability. The Buckeyes are relying on better performance from three returning starters – left tackle Josh Simmons, left guard Donovan Jackson, right tackle Josh Fryar – and are watching Carson Hinzman and Tegra Tshabola battle for the right guard position next to Seth McLaughlin, a transfer from Alabama.
However, anything below a championship-standard performance from Ohio State’s offensive line could question Frye’s tenure, especially since his recruiting results, expected to surpass those of his predecessor Greg Studrawa, have not yet lived up to expectations.
The pursuit of Sanders, the top offensive tackle and the second overall prospect for the 2025 cycle, was crucial for Ohio State but proved to be challenging. His commitment to Tennessee left Ohio State urgently needing to beef up their offensive line recruits, as they only have two commitments in a class where they might take up to five linemen. They are expected to sign Carter Lowe, a top offensive tackle, and Jake Cook, a three-star center, both viewed as anticipated commitments.
With Sanders deciding against Ohio State, the program is left with a handful of uncommitted offensive linemen from the 2025 class with Ohio State offers: five-star Michael Fasusi from Texas, four-star Malachi Goodman from New Jersey, three-star Jayvon McFadden from Maryland, and unrated Atamai Matau from California. McFadden is the only recruit Ohio State seems to have a strong chance with, as his commitment was anticipated post his official visit in June.
The decision of high-profile recruits like Josh Petty, Jackson Lloyd, Micah DeBose, and Henry Fenuku to choose other programs after visiting Ohio State underscores a pattern of missed opportunities in securing top out-of-state offensive line talents under Frye.
In his initial two recruiting cycles, Ohio State attracted only three out-of-state offensive linemen, with only one ranking in the top 250 prospects nationally for the 2024 class, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings. Luke Montgomery is the sole top-100 prospect Frye has secured, and he was a significant addition, being a lifelong Buckeye fan from Findlay, Ohio.
Ryan Day has expressed optimism about the unit, but has also been clear that expectations are high for this season.
“I think we'll see what we've got this year. But I feel like we've got some really good young players in the system. I think that we should have the best offensive line in the country,” Day said. “That's the standard here. It has been for a long time. And so we'll keep pushing towards that this year. And I think everybody in that room will tell you the same thing.”
McFadden won't singlehandedly make or break Frye's resume, but it's clear improvement is needed. Considering Ohio State is the favorite for someone projected as a guard, it's a meaningful moment for the Buckeyes' trench efforts.
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