Ohio State OC Arthur Smith breaks down fall camp, highlighting offensive line depth, versatility, and Julian Sayin’s quick mental processing.

Ohio State offensive coordinator Arthur Smith met with the media on Wednesday. He discussed the offensive line, Julian Sayin’s growth, and his impact on the Buckeyes offensively. Here’s what we learned.

The biggest question mark for Ohio State is up front. How will the Buckeyes’ offensive line shake out and hold up against the top teams? After losing back-to-back games to end last season, it was evident that this unit determines the team’s ceiling. However, last year is gone, and Carson Hinzman and company have made strides, according to Smith.

“The progress we’ve made from the Spring… these guys are competing. We’ve got a lot of depth and a lot of competition, which is an awesome thing to have,” Smith said of the offensive line. 

Ohio State OC Arthur Smith on the offensive line situation:

🗣️ “We’ve got a lot of guys that can play…Great competition everywhere.”

Smith also mentioned depth, chemistry and the importance of contingency plans amongst this group. pic.twitter.com/Hz7UMvp06r

— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) August 12, 2026

Hearing those words is encouraging for the Buckeyes as they continue to seek out their best five. It shows the room’s depth and chemistry, both of which Smith said are important to have, especially in the event of an injury. In the same vein, he mentioned that depth helps create contingency plans just as much as the versatility of some players, like Austin Siereveld, whom Smith called a “four-position player.”

Finding the right combination of blockers is always a puzzle, but having players like Siereveld who can slide across multiple roles makes the process much smoother.

Julian Sayin’s Biggest Asset

Under center is the returning starter Julian Sayin, who Smith praised for his high football intelligence and said his quick processing is a major asset. Smith added with a laugh that Sayin’s rapid comprehension sometimes forces the coaching staff to adjust: “Sometimes I have to pull him back, ‘Let everybody else catch up to you.’ You talk about one thing, and he’s ready to go.”

That mental velocity allows Smith to trust his quarterback with heavy pre-snap responsibilities, such as having multiple play options at the line of scrimmage. “He continues to impress. He doesn’t feel like a young player to me because he sees the game so well, he understands football, and he’s so smart,” Smith said.

Having an offensive coordinator with NFL head-coaching and play-calling experience has drastically accelerated Sayin’s growth this offseason. By implementing pro-style concepts and putting the onus on the quarterback to make situational checks, Smith is preparing Sayin for the next level and staying aligned with Ryan Day’s NFL-like approach at Ohio State.

Sayin is now empowered to choose between options at the line, which Smith stressed that offensive operation and logistics remain a primary focus in camp. “I don’t care at what level, it’s all logistics,” Smith said regarding the fast-winding college play clock. “When there’s seven guys in and out, or a guy comes out, you gotta be clean.”

Join Us for TSB LIVE at DICK’s House of Sport’s Tailgate Takeover

Ultimately, if the Buckeyes are going to bounce back and re-assert their dominance in the Big Ten, the path forward rests on the trenches and the rapid maturation of their star quarterback. All signs from the Spring are translating to Fall Camp, so that’s the expectation when the Buckeyes take the field on September 5. 

Join us at DICK’s House of Sport in Polaris, OH, on Saturday, August 29, from 12-3 pm for a Tailgate Takeover to kick off football season! TSB LIVE returns for an on-site show with special guests previewing Ohio State’s 2026 season. You do not want to miss this event! Register here

NEXT: Read Julian Sayin and Bryce Underwood Offer Contrasting Takes on ‘The Game’