O-line depth has starting spots in flux

Greg Studrawa does not know who would start on the Ohio State offensive line right now.

Studrawa coaches that position, so one would think that might be a bit of a concern now that the Buckeyes have concluded spring practice.

Not to Studrawa. In fact, he laughed it off.

“No,” he said of identifying the starting five, “but it would be pretty good.”

For the first time under coach Urban Meyer, the Buckeyes believe the line has sufficient depth. It’s not just that they have an adequate backup at each spot. It’s that the backups are now pushing presumed starters for jobs.

For example: At the center spot, which Meyer calls the apex of the line, fifth-year senior Brady Taylor was the clear front-runner entering the spring. Last season’s starter, Billy Price, all but anointed him as his successor at the end of last season. But converted guard Josh Myers, a redshirt freshman, has made a serious move for the job.

“That battle is continuous,” Studrawa said. “Both of those guys are playing well. Josh Myers the last two weeks was outstanding. He struggled the first two weeks, but the last two weeks, including the spring game, was outstanding.

“Brady has been steady. Those two guys will go right through summer and into camp battling it out for that spot.”

Myers struggled with shotgun snaps early in the spring because of his inexperience, but he became more consistent. Myers has the thick body to be a powerful run blocker, and Studrawa said he told Taylor that he needs to improve in that area.

At tackle, the experiment of moving Isaiah Prince from right to left tackle is at least on hold. It was a surprise to see him back at his old spot in the spring game and Thayer Munford, the presumed right tackle, on the left side.

Studrawa said that was done mainly because Munford made an easy transition to the left side, and Josh Alabi, who also is in the mix, is much more comfortable on that side. Prince acknowledged earlier in the spring that moving to the left side felt a bit like learning to write left-handed.

“He is more comfortable there (on the right side), and I like Isaiah working beside Demetrius, too,” Studrawa said, referring to right guard Demetrius Knox. “I think that combination is really, really good. Those two guys play well beside each other, work well together.”

Asked whether Munford, a true sophomore, was his starter at left tackle, Studrawa said, “I wouldn’t say that’s set yet, but that’s pretty close to being true.”

Perhaps the safest bet on the line is that Michael Jordan will start at left guard for the third year. He missed the spring recovering from shoulder surgery, and Malcolm Pridgeon made dramatic strides in his place.

“I couldn’t be more excited about him,” Studrawa said of Pridgeon. “That’s going to be a battle, too, to find a place for that guy to play.”

Knox got a chance to continue his growth at right guard this spring because Branden Bowen is still rehabbing from the fractured leg that ended his season. A year ago, Bowen beat out Matt Burrell in training camp at right guard.

Wednesday afternoon, Burrell announced on Instagram that he would transfer from the program.