College Football

Ohio State Football: Can The New Road Graders Play As Freshmen?

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:14 p.m. ET

Fansided, Charlie Lockhart/FanSided via Scarlet and Game

Nov 1, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Taylor Decker (68) against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

In every Ohio State recruiting class except for one, Urban Meyer has looked for a few big guys to load up the offensive line. In four of his recruiting classes he brought in at least five linemen. In the 2017 class there were only three offensive linemen, but the new road graders form an outstanding group .

All three players are big and extremely talented, and each should make an impact at some point. And don’t be surprised to see one or two of them on the field next season.

I wouldn’t have thought that before Michael Jordan came on the scene in 2016. He became the first offensive lineman to start for Ohio State in his first game as a true freshman since Orlando Pace. At least two of the newest Slobs have a college ready body, and Urban expects them to compete for the open guard position.

Let’s take a look at the new linemen in order of their recruiting rankings according to the 247Sports Composite.

Wyatt Davis: St. John Bosco (Bellflower, CA) 6-5, 310 Ranking – No. 1 OG

Wyatt Davis was a five star offensive recruit who was coveted by every major football program in the country. Davis was named Mr. Football last month, an unbelievable feat for an offensive lineman.

He also fit the bill for Urban Meyer outside of the measurables. First, he played on a state championship team in California. Urban loves players from winning programs.

The second, Davis also played basketball and coach Meyer loves players who play multiple sports. He proved to be versatile on the offensive line as well.

Although Davis is listed as a guard in the recruiting rankings, he primarily played tackle last season. But in the state championship game his coach moved him to the middle of the line to run a power attack. The result, John Bosco put up 56 points running behind the big road grader.

Urban Meyer has said he expects Davis to compete for the starting job at the open guard spot next season. Don’t count this big fellow out. There is a good chance he will start as a true freshman or be a key backup.

The next guy could possibly bench press a small SUV and Urban expects him to compete for a starting spot, and I wouldn’t bet against it happening.

Oct 10, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) is congratulated by quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) and offensive lineman Pat Elflein (65) after his touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Myers: Miamisburg, (Miamisburg, OH) 6-6, 306 Ranking – No. 3 OG

Okay, maybe Josh Myers can’t bench press an SUV but he has been known to perform feats of strength. Last year he put 150 pounds over his head with one hand and picked up a 1,000 pound tire and flipped it over. His last bench press total I have heard about was 435 pounds, but that was prior to his senior year in high school.

Urban Meyer has said that many linemen are big-fat when they come to Ohio State. They have to spend some time in coach Marotti’s strength and conditioning program for some time before they are ready to contribute. The head coach says Myers is big-big and has a college ready body right now.

Myers is not only a beast in the weight room, he uses his strength on the football field. He is also known for having speed and agility for a big guy.

Urban has said he expects Myers to compete for the starting guard spot as well. Like Davis, I expect to see him on the field in some capacity for Ohio State next season. There isn’t any reason to waste a redshirt year on this guy, or Davis.

There is a very good chance that both of these two players will be moving on to the NFL after three or four years. They are just that talented.

It’s hard to believe a 4 star offensive tackle who is a top 300 player is underrated but the next guy may be.

Apr 16, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; A general view of an Ohio State football helmet on the sidelines during the Ohio State Spring Game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Thayer Munford: Washington (Massillon, OH) 6-5.5, 320 Ranking – No. 28 OT

Thayer Munford is only ranked as the 28th best tackle and the No. 280th overall player in the nation. That’s almost certainly because he was unable to play most of his senior year.

After playing on state championship teams his sophomore and junior years, he moved from Cincinnati to Massillon to play for and live with his former coach Nate Moore. Munford was declared ineligible until the final three games of the 2016 season.