The 2022 offensive line class for Ohio State was looked at as a bit of botched class in terms of the recruits the Buckeyes left on the board and were not able to close on. With the new addition of coach Justin Frye, the Buckeyes 2023 offensive line class is already off to a hot start under the highly sought after coach. 

The Buckeyes are likely going to take four or possibly even five offensive linemen in this cycle as the 2022 class was a little light in terms of depth. One of the players Ohio State is zeroing in on is international offensive tackle Olaus Alinen who says he speaks to head coach Ryan Day often. 

“We talk all the time, he’s a great guy and were building a good relationship,” said Alinen. 

There has been a lot of time since former offensive line coach Greg Studrawa was dismissed from the Ohio State staff. The Silver Bulletin wanted to know how Alinen’s relationship has changed from speaking to Studrawa versus now with Frye. 

“When I first got offered by Ohio State I was really new to all of this recruiting stuff and I felt like we really didn’t have much time to talk and develop a real relationship with Coach Stud,” said Alinen. “But now with Coach Frye I’ve really had a good time speaking with him and I’m thankful that I’ve got to build a relationship with him and also get to know him. I can tell they are really recruiting me much harder now with Coach Frye there, it feels good.” 

Alinen has been looked at by just about every power five school in the country and currently holds 43 division one offers. The Buckeyes are going to be in another tough recruiting battle if they want to earn Alinen’s services as schools such as Alabama, Florida, Miami and Penn State are all in the mix. Alinen told The Silver Bulletin why Ohio State is standing out to him however. 

“Ohio State as a program competes for championships every year and they always are producing great players,” said Alinen. “Those sort of things really just stand out for me, and now with Coach Frye being there it’s a bonus. I know I said it before but I’m just really enjoying the recruiting process with him and that’s why Ohio State is one of my top schools. I’ll be visiting them in the spring but I also know they will be one of my official visits when that time comes.” 

Many folks following Alinen’s recruitment believe that Nick Saban has already shut the door on this one but how much truth is there really to that?

“No I wouldn’t say that, I think it is going to come down to my official visits this summer. My family is going to fly over from Finland for some visits so we will see how each visit goes and how the campuses are,” Alinen said. “I need to speak to each coach and I want to take in the whole process, I really am not sure right now how it will all go.”

Ohio State does does have some experience with recruiting International players as they just landed one last cycle in German defensive tackle Hero Kanu but Alinen opened up to The Silver Bulletin about what this whole process has been like for him up to this point.

“The place where I am right now is what I dreamed about as a kid, said Alinen. “Before coming to the United States I didn’t really expect that I could be here and I didn’t know how it would all work out, but it’s been a great ride so far and I’m so blessed to be here.”