Ohio State has not officially announced its starting offensive line, but the competition has effectively been settled.

Last Wednesday, Austin Siereveld appeared to reveal the direction Ohio State was headed along the offensive line when he spoke about playing right guard. While nothing has been officially announced, Carson Hinzman jokingly discussed the “hypothetical” starting five for the Buckeyes on Tuesday, when asked by reporters:

The starting unit will “hypothetically” consist of Carson Hinzman, Luke Montgomery, Austin Siereveld, Philip Daniels, and Ian Moore, who will “start” at left tackle (wink wink), moving Austin Siereveld back inside to right guard. 

Moore → LT
Montgomery → LG
Hinzman → C
Siereveld → RG
Daniels → RT

Ryan Day said the interior offensive line trio has had its “ups and downs along the way, but now they’re playing their best football.” He also praised their overall football IQ and their confidence, given what Tyler Bowen and Arthur Smith are doing with them, saying they are “walking on water right now” and highly energized.

“You’re seeing the best version of those guys,” Day said. “That’s where the offense is going to start, with those three guys on the inside.”

Tyler Bowen’s group has been competing throughout the spring and fall to determine which five offensive linemen give Ohio State the best combination up front. It’s become apparent over the last few weeks that Siereveld would move back inside, and Moore would step in at left tackle.

Ohio State was banged up along the offensive line during the spring, limiting the amount of time the coaching staff had to evaluate the entire room together. Entering fall camp healthy allowed the Buckeyes to get a much better look at the versatility it has across the position.

Versatility Gives Ohio State Options

One of the biggest assets for Ohio State’s offensive line is its interior trio of Carson Hinzman, Luke Montgomery, and Austin Siereveld. Those three Buckeyes have developed strong continuity together and have fully embraced their roles as leaders and anchors of the offense.

“They know what this place is. They bleed Scarlet and Gray,” Ryan Day said of the interior trio.

That versatility has been a major factor throughout the competition. Siereveld, in particular, gives Ohio State the ability to move pieces around the offensive line. Arthur Smith called Siereveld a four-position player earlier in camp, except at center, giving the Buckeyes the flexibility to use different combinations while keeping their best players on the field.

That became particularly important as the competition narrowed down. Moore and Joshua Padilla ultimately emerged as the two players competing for the final starting spot, with Moore eventually winning the job.

Moore’s emergence is another step forward for a player who has continued to make strides throughout fall camp. His development will be important to an Ohio State offense expected to place significant responsibility on quarterback Julian Sayin.

There were times last season when Moore’s play was rocky, but he has made progress since then and earned the opportunity to take over as one of Ohio State’s five starters. It is a major storyline for this offensive line as Ohio State transitions into Smith’s offense.

Hinzman spoke confidently about Moore, pointing to his three years in the program as evidence that he is ready for the opportunity. Moore has spent the last three years learning from players in front of him, and Hinzman believes he has developed the strength and tenacity necessary to step into the starting role.

Expectations Are High

Smith has brought an NFL influence to Columbus, and the Buckeyes have spent fall camp working through new concepts, terminology, and ways of operating up front. The offensive line’s versatility gives Ohio State the ability to adjust its personnel and formations without necessarily sacrificing its best players.

Hinzman spoke about the mindset Arthur Smith has instilled within the offensive line. It’s become a driving force for the unit, not in an arrogant way, but one that comes from confidence and belief in one another and the system.

“That mentality that hey, we’re going to be the most dominant group in college football this year is really important to us,” Hinzman said. 

That flexibility could prove valuable over the course of a long season. But for now, the Buckeyes have their “hypothetical” starting five of Moore, Montgomery, Hinzman, Siereveld, and Daniels. They will be responsible for setting the tone up front and giving Sayin the protection he needs to operate the offense.

Now the “hypothetical” five will get a chance to prove themselves. Ohio State will travel to Austin in Week 2 to face Texas, giving Bowen’s unit an early measuring stick and the Buckeyes’ new-look offense its first major test.

NEXT: Read Predicting Ohio State’s Depth Chart on Offense for 2026 Season