Ohio State Buckeyes: Matt Jones leading group looking to break into starting lineup

While offensive line coach Greg Studrawa called Jones one of the most improved players on the team, head coach Ryan Day praised Jones for stepping into the vacant center role with Josh Myers having left for the NFL and heir apparent Harry Miller sidelined by injury.

“Matt’s done a good job of moving between guard and center because Harry was down this spring,” Day said Monday. “He has found a bit of a rhythm in there and done a nice job.”

Jones was a bit of an afterthought this time a year ago.

Although he came to Ohio State as a four-star prospect and the No. 1 center prospect in the country in the class of 2018, others garnered more headlines at the start of spring practice 2020.

Miller, the No. 2 center prospect in the 2019 class, was viewed as a shoo-in to earn one of the two open spots in the starting lineup, and he did just that by becoming the starting left guard.

With the other spot — right tackle — a battle between former five-star prospects fans are eager to see get on the field — Nicholas Petit-Frere and Paris Johnson Jr. — that made lots of headlines, and the incoming freshman stole others, as is customary.

The way Ohio State recruits at most positions, slipping through the hype cracks is easy and somewhat common.

Those who fail to get a leg up early sometimes never do, but Jones did not let that happen to him.

He worked his way into the two-deep by the start of the regular season and answered the call when asked to start against Michigan State and Clemson because of COVID-19-related absences. He also got a starting nod against Alabama in the National Championship Game after excelling against the Tigers.

“I think with some guys, learning and getting themselves prepared is as much a mental thing as it is a physical thing,” Studrawa said. “Matt is a guy who has always had the physical tools — he is so strong, he’s quick — but eventually, it gets to the point of, ‘You know what, I’m tired of not being a starter.”

That can yield a new mindset and attention to detail that makes a difference in practice and ultimately on Saturdays.

“It’s basically, ‘I’m sick and tired of watching,’” Studrawa said. “And all of a sudden the demeanor and everything that you do — the attention to detail, the toughness, carrying out a drill — that is what Matt has done. He’s hit that point where, ‘You know what? This is it.’ And he showed it in that Michigan State game and then he showed it the next two games that he played, so his turnaround has been amazing.”

Jones is one of three players working at center as Miller, who started most of last season at guard but is expected to move to the middle this season, is sidelined.

Also trying to show what they can do are class of 2020 members Luke Wypler and Jakob James with Jones and Wypler getting most of the reps.

Wypler is a four-star prospect from New Jersey who was the nation’s No. 2 center prospect last year while James is a three-star prospect from Cincinnati Elder.

“All three of those guys are doing pretty well in there so far, handling things pretty good,” Studrawa said.

Whoever wins the job — and a health Miller is still the favorite this fall — will have to demonstrate the ability to handle a long list of duties.

“He has to be able to communicate and handle the snaps and make all the calls and move quickly with the ball between his legs,” Day said. “He then has to block the nose guard and possibly reach (block) a nose. That’s a learned trait that includes quickness. You have to think on your feet and process a lot of information in the run game and with the protections.”

The other open job this spring is right guard, where Wyatt Davis was considered one of the best in the country the past two seasons.

With returning starters at left and right tackle — Thayer Munford and Petit-Frere, respectively — Johnson could be the favorite as Studrawa looks to get the team’s five best linemen into the starting lineup.

Dawand Jones, one of the under-the-radar recruits of the 2019 class, is also considered a strong candidate to earn regular playing time this fall.

Studrawa said he was having a good spring until being sidelined by an injury to start this week.

Others getting a look at guard are Ryan Jacoby, Josh Fryar, Trey Leroux and Jack Jamieson.