Jonah Jackson's transfer eases the worrisome situation of an offensive home line in the state of Ohio

But he played down the problem.

With Isaiah Prince, Malcolm Pridgeon and Demetrius Knox out of eligibility and Michael Jordan giving up his senior season to register for the NFL 2019 draft, the Buckeyes have to replace four offensive linemen this season.

Jonah Jackson alleviates this concern a little. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound lineman announced his transfer from Rutgers to Ohio State on Monday and immediately became a likely starter for the guard or center on an offensive line in transition.

With his experience as both goalkeeper and center, Jackson has the ability to intervene and start at any of the three positions on the inside line. Although Rutgers did not have much success recently, Jackson was named All-Big Ten in the guard and started with five center games in 2017. 247Sports ranked fifth in rankings and to this year's best offensive lineman. transfer market.

Before adding Jackson on Monday, the offensive line of the Ohio State lacked experience, especially inside of it. Thayer Munford is back as a left forward. Wyatt Davis, who debuted and has performed well in the Big Ten Championship and the Rose Bowl, has the right guard. Beyond them? Much uncertainty, especially before the Jackson transfer.

Although he played only 72 times in his first two years at Ohio State, Josh Myers seemed to have the edge as a starting point for spring practice, although the lack of other options enticing ones make it an easy choice. Branden Bowen (who started six games in 2017, but has not played for more than a year because of a broken leg), Gavin Cupp (appeared twice on the offensive in three seasons) and Matthew Jones played the card) were the only options left guard. Bowen, Joshua Alabi and Nicholas Petit-Frere were the best possible starters.

Jackson does not change everything, but he changes the landscape for 2019.

With Jackson, there are now two possibilities for the general structure of the offensive line. Two pieces seem to be blocked: Munford to the left tackle and Davis to the right guard. Jackson finds his place at the guard post or center left – unless he does not win a first job, of course. But assuming it starts, here is a preview of the line.

Option 1

• Left Attack: Thayer Munford (Jr.)

• Left Guard: Jonah Jackson (RS-Sr.)

• Center: Josh Myers (RS-So.)

• Right Guard: Wyatt Davis (RS-So.)

• Right hitch: Branden Bowen (RS), Joshua Alabi (RS), Nicholas Little Brother (RS).

This is the most likely scenario. This would allow Jackson to stay on hold, a position he occupied last season with an honorable mention from the All-Big Ten level. Myers would become a beginner at the center with one year of experience in the practice of the position. Bowen would return to his natural position – offensive tackle – to compete with Alabi and Petit-Frere for a starting spot.

Option 2

• Left Attack: Thayer Munford (Jr.)

• Left Guard: Branden Bowen (RS-Sr.)

• Center: Jonah Jackson (RS-Sr.)

• Right Guard: Wyatt Davis (RS-So.)

• Right hitch: Joshua Alabi (RS-Sr.) / Nicholas Petit-Frere (RS-Fr.)

This scenario is a little riskier, but starting with Michael Jordan in the center in 2018, Greg Studrawa showed that he was ready to move the players to put the top five linemen at the same time. Billy Price and Pat Elflein have also moved from one guard to another to help start the best players. If Studrawa thinks that the combination of Bowen, Jackson and Alabi or Little Brother is better than that of Jackson, Myers and Bowen, Alabi or Little Brother, he then places the back in the center of Bowen's position. on the right, the tackle could work.

Whether the Buckeyes end up using one of these two formations or engage in a totally unforeseen direction, their offensive line now has a higher floor, increased depth, and improved experience.

Prior to Jackson's arrival, the state of Ohio had only four offensive linemen who had already started one game and two others who had more than two starts, and one of them – Bowen – did not not started since the sixth game of the 2017 season. Beyond the six most likely runners – Munford, Davis, Myers, Bowen, Alabi and Little Brother, who could the Buckeyes rely on? Cupp, Jones, Max Wray and Kevin Woidke were the only other non-real first-year players on the stock market.

Jackson will probably not become a first-round pick. He's not a former five-star prospect. But he started 16 multi-job games for a successful Big Ten program, and that's all Buckeyes needed.