Ohio State entered the 2026 season believing it had one of the more experienced offensive lines in the country. One game later, that confidence has given way to real uncertainty, with Ryan Day reportedly already considering changes up front — and right tackle emerging as the specific position to watch heading into a massive Week 2 matchup against No. 4 Texas.
What Went Wrong for Ohio State’s Offensive Line Against Ball State
Phillip Daniels started at right tackle in Ohio State’s season-opening win over Ball State, but the Buckeyes ended up shuffling their offensive line during the game itself. Team captain Austin Siereveld attributed some of Daniels’ early struggles to standard first-game nerves, describing it as a natural human reaction rather than a long-term concern. Siereveld said the two have been communicating to get on the same page and stressed that whatever issues came up weren’t anything drastic, though he acknowledged the group knows it needs to be fixed.
During the game, Siereveld moved from his usual right guard spot to right tackle in place of Daniels, while Gabe VanSickle entered the lineup at right guard. Daniels eventually returned to the game after the shuffle.
Austin Siereveld’s Trial Run at Right Tackle
Ohio State has reportedly been preparing for the possibility of using Siereveld at tackle during practice, but Saturday marked the first time he’d actually played the position in a live game. By his own admission, the results were mixed. Siereveld described the experience as different from what he’s used to, saying he needed time to find his rhythm and that his performance wasn’t clean. He was direct in saying he’d like to have those reps back.
Siereveld’s criticism wasn’t limited to his own play, either. He said Ohio State’s offensive line as a whole wasn’t performing as a fully connected unit, and that the group got caught off guard by Ball State’s movement and stunts up front — a concerning sign against a lesser opponent, especially with a considerably more talented Texas front waiting next.
What a Siereveld Move to Tackle Would Mean for Ohio State’s Guard Spot
If Ohio State ultimately decides to move Siereveld to right tackle full-time, it would open up a competition at right guard. Gabe VanSickle looks like one clear option, and Siereveld had genuine praise for his performance after being thrust into the lineup against Ball State, describing him as a big, physical, and violent player in the trenches.
Joshua Padilla represents another possible answer at right guard if Siereveld shifts outside. That leaves Ryan Day with several distinct paths forward on the right side of the offensive line: stick with the original plan of Daniels at tackle and Siereveld at guard, or move Siereveld to tackle and turn to either VanSickle or Padilla to fill the vacated guard spot.
Why Ohio State Can’t Afford to Repeat Last Season’s Pass Protection Issues
This isn’t a new concern for Ohio State’s offensive line room. Pass protection became a significant problem for the Buckeyes at the worst possible time last season, and those struggles clearly haven’t been forgotten inside the building. Siereveld referenced that history directly, acknowledging that everyone remembers how last season ended and that the group is conscious of not repeating those same mistakes, calling that kind of breakdown simply bad football up front.
Why This Decision Carries Extra Weight With Texas Looming
With a top-five showdown against Texas arriving just one week into the season, Ryan Day doesn’t have much runway to figure out the right answer at right tackle. Texas boasts one of the most talented defensive fronts in the country, and any uncertainty or miscommunication along Ohio State’s offensive line could be magnified significantly against that level of competition. Whether Day sticks with Daniels, leans on Siereveld’s versatility, or finds some other combination, the decision made in practice this week could play a major role in determining how much time Julian Sayin has to operate against Texas on Saturday night.
What to Watch for Ohio State’s Offensive Line vs. Texas
Between Daniels working to shake off first-game jitters, Siereveld adjusting to a new position on the fly, and both VanSickle and Padilla waiting for their own opportunities, Ohio State’s right side of the offensive line is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched position battles of Week 2. Given how quickly last season’s late-season pass protection issues resurfaced as a talking point, there’s little room for further inconsistency up front against a Texas defense that’s expected to test Ohio State’s answer at right tackle from the opening snap.
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