5 Ohio State stars who won’t be back and their replacements for 2023
By John Buhler
OT. player. 812. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Ohio State Buckeyes. Dawand Jones. 4
You cannot teach Dawand Jones’ size at a whopping 6-foot-8 and 359 pounds
A big reason why the Buckeyes had such tremendous success vs. Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl was all the time C.J. Stroud had to throw behind his offensive line. The Buckeyes’ front five was an underrated unit throughout the season. Despite being overlooked by the likes of Michigan and Georgia’s offensive lines, the Buckeyes had a pair of elite bookends, including Dawand Jones.
At 6-foot-8 and 359 pounds, you cannot possibly teach Jones’ size at right tackle. The true senior could return to school if he wanted to, but he has had ample starting experience over the last few years at Ohio State. Although left tackles are viewed more favorably than right tackles when it comes to the draft process, Jones is still probably coming off the board some time in round two.
I do not think moving over to left tackle for one season is going to make a world of difference here.
Ohio State replacement for Dawand Jones: Josh Fryar
Expect for Josh Fryar to crack the starting roster at Ohio State next season. Initially recruited as a three-star guard out of Indiana, Fryar has grown in size to allow him to potentially kick outside. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 320, Fryar is certainly ready for the challenge of starting somewhere along the Buckeyes offensive line. The opportunity to replace Jones at right tackle is very much in play.
Ohio State may lose veterans along the offensive line, but the Buckeyes are not starting freshmen.