Ohio State football right tackle Josh Fryar: 3 things you need to know before 2024 season

Josh Fryar is back at right tackle for Ohio State last year.

The Indiana native won the job last year. There was consideration to moving him to right guard this season, but a strong offseason has cemented his place at tackle.

Here are three things to know about Fryar:

Fryar knows the toll

His father, Jeff, played for Indiana under former Buckeye assistant Bill Mallory and was on the Hoosier teams that routed OSU in 1987 and ’88. But Jeff believes he sustained brain injuries from playing, including memory issues and occasional irritability.

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But Jeff accepts his condition with grace.

“I try to live each day to the fullest,” he said.

Overcoming adversity at OSU

Fryar was only a three-star recruit who endured the 2020 COVID-shortened season as a freshman. Then he tore an ACL in warmups before the Michigan game in 2021. He recovered fast enough to become the offensive line’s top backup in 2022 before winning the right tackle job last year.

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He made first-team All-Big Ten last year.

“He’s so smart,” OSU offensive line coach Justin Frye said. “He really understands the big picture and the whole game. That’s allowed him to keep growing and playing to his ability level because he'll ask the right questions.”

Iron Buckeye honors

Along with Donovan Jackson and Carson Hinzman, Fryar was the third offensive lineman to earn “Iron Buckeye” honors following summer conditioning.

““Josh brought high energy and solid development as a leader,” OSU strength coach Mickey Marotti said. “He uplifted those around him daily.”

Coach Ryan Day consistently praised Fryar’s offseason work.

“Josh has had an unbelievable summer,” he said.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football right tackle Josh Fryar: 3 things you need to know before 2024 season