Offensive Line Coach Tyler Bowen looks to solidify an offensive line unit that sputtered for Ohio State during the 2025 postseason. How improved will the Buckeyes be up front in 2026?

In the final two games of Ohio State’s season, the offensive line allowed 10 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. With the Buckeyes averaging a respectable 84 yards rushing in the two contests, the -71 yards on sacks were tremendously detrimental to the offense’s effectiveness. Wherever it was falling behind the chains or struggling to contain the rush on key 3rd downs, the line faltered time and time again in big spots.

When Indiana or Miami dialed up the pressure or simply needed a stop, the Ohio State offensive line was visibly overwhelmed and rarely held up. Ultimately, there was a glaring lack of cohesiveness and overall awareness when it came to crunch time. Tyler Bowen is responsible for the Buckeyes up front, which means his offseason has been spent finding solutions.

Bowen was understandably under some fire after the way Ohio State finished 2025. However, an important note: Last year was Bowen’s first season at the helm of the offensive line. Secondly, with the exception of the game against Texas, in which the Buckeyes mustered only 14 points at home, the line had not been tested during the regular season to nearly the same degree as it was in the postseason.

Much of the line was also made up of players, such as Austin Siereveld, Phillip Daniels, and Gabe VanSickle, who were all in their first year as starters and/or regular contributors. Although they both shouldered blame for the ailing end of the season, Luke Montgomery and Carson Hinzman are expected to be the anchors in the middle of the line. Redshirt sophomore Ian Moore has also emerged as a standout from spring practice who could play a role at Left Tackle come fall.

Coming into 2026 with this experience, coupled with a full offseason under the tutelage of Coach Bowen, should prove to be invaluable. “There has to be a mentality that when we have five guys go on the field that we’re the toughest, most rugged group on that field and that everyone can count on us,” explained Bowen in his spring media availability. I think if there is any phrase to focus on from this excerpt, it’s “count on us.” If Bowen’s unit can be counted on, it will obviously take loads of pressure off an offense and a team that has its work cut out for it in 2026’s schedule.

Bowen has been working alongside new OC Arthur Smith to revamp the run game. According to Bowen, Smith has been “really establishing an identity for how we’re gonna run the ball,” saying that his line has had to learn the “big picture” of the run game from the new OC. This new look scheme will ideally make OSU’s offense less predictable and, overall, more effective. As a result, defenses shouldn’t be able to pin their ears back and feast on the line as easily as they were at the end of the season in 2025.

Apart from the on-field product, Bowen has been making noise on the recruiting side as well. Bowen and the Buckeyes recently received a commitment from one of the top OT in the class of 2027, Caden Moss. Aside from Moss, the class is physically imposing.

The average height/weight of this year’s class is over 6’5 and just a hair under 300 lbs. “Caden (Moss) and Jimmy (Kalis) are looked at as OT’s, and the rest can play any inside position. A very athletic group,” said The Silver Bulletin’s Director of Recruiting, TJ Warner. “The whole group took their official visit together… they’re a super close group already.” Chemistry, size, and athleticism all point to a great all-around class for Bowen to develop.

Aided by Arthur Smith’s arrival, Ryan Day’s support, and an exceptionally experienced group to work with in 2026, coach Bowen can certainly set up the O-Line for success. With training camp just around the corner (August 6) and the health of his unit back to normal, it’ll be up to him to prepare his guys for an early-season clash in Austin against the Longhorns. This will assuredly be the litmus test for Bowen’s influence on how far the line has or hasn’t come since this past January.