Ohio State junior offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola has received a lot of praise from coaches and teammates throughout fall camp, with many noticing the significant improvements he has made to his game and body during the offseason.
Such comments led many who follow the program to believe that Tshabola could be a starter on Ohio State’s offensive line this season. And as the Buckeyes’ season opener against Akron approaches, that assumption seems to be gaining traction — at least according to head coach Ryan Day.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Day indicated that Tshabola will likely see a lot of play at right guard on Saturday afternoon against the Zips, an opportunity the junior deserves, according to the coach.
“I think he’s definitely going to play guard,” Day said. “Whether he’s a starter is something we’ll probably decide here after (last) Saturday. But he’s definitely going to play unless something drastic happens. I think he’s earned this opportunity.”
“How much and whether it is the whole game is something we will probably decide over the course of the weekend. But he has definitely earned the right to play in this game.”
While a decision on who will start at right guard has not yet been officially announced – Day could reveal it during his press conference on Tuesday – all signs point to the 6-foot-1, 235-pound lineman securing the starting right guard position for the 2024 season, beating out sophomore Carson Hinzman, who was the starting center for Ohio State last year.
This would be the first time Tshabola has earned a starting offensive line position in his three-year career at Ohio State, as the former four-star played in all 13 games last season but appeared primarily on special teams. He did, however, play in five games on offense, including a career-high 10 against Western Kentucky earlier in the season.
Despite the limited playing time, those around the program seem confident the junior can succeed in Ohio State’s front five this season. Tshabola impressed teammates and coaches with his athleticism and strength this spring, traits that offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said should be a key addition to Ohio State’s offensive line, which was heavily criticized last season for its inconsistent play.
“Tegra is really athletic and can drop his hips well, and he’s long,” Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said last week. “He’s really long, and if he can play long on the offensive line and keep the defensive linemen away from people because of his length, that’s a really big deal for us.”
“We like big offensive linemen because big guys beat little guys. That’s why we like Tegra a lot.”
As for Tshabola himself, speaking to the media at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Thursday, he declined to comment on whether he has earned the starting spot, saying that is up to the coaching staff. However, he did say that the competition he had with Hinzman and the rest of the offensive line in the offseason has made him a better all-around player, an improvement that should do wonders for the lineman as he prepares to make his first significant contribution to the Buckeyes in his career.
“I feel good about the competition because I know it made me better,” Tshabola said. “It made me a better football player. Going up against a guy as talented as Carson made me want to be as good as I am now.”
“Whatever the team needs, I mean, you have to do it. If you haven’t been given any plays at all and you ask me to do something to win a game, then I would do it for the team.”
