Ohio State football coach Ryan Day provided a key update on the Buckeyes’ offensive line Monday, and it appears the starting five up front is coming into focus with less than two weeks until the 2026 season opener against Ball State. 

The biggest question entering fall camp centered on that fifth spot along the offensive line, and it looks like Ohio State has found its answer.

The Buckeyes return four starters up front, and the decision came down to whether Ohio State would insert a new right guard or a new left tackle. It appears the program is going with the latter, sliding Austin Siereveld back inside to right guard after he spent the 2025 season at left tackle. Right guard is the more natural position for Siereveld, and Day indicated Monday that the move is paying off.

“The offensive line right now, Austin’s been working at guard, and you know it’s been good,” Day stated. “He obviously spent a long time at tackle last year, and so he’s been working inside, and you know every day he’s getting more and more comfortable getting back in there. So you know you’re seeing Carson, Luke, and Austin inside, and then Ian and Phil on the outside, and they’re working together right now, and getting a lot of reps with ones.”

Ohio State’s projected starting offensive line for 2026

Based on Day’s comments, Ohio State’s starting offensive line looks like it will be Ian Moore at left tackle, Luke Montgomery at left guard, Carson Hinzman at center, Siereveld at right guard, and Phillip Daniels at right tackle. It’s important to note that Day said there has been no final decision made, but it’s leaning this way.

Moore got his feet wet for the Buckeyes last season during the postseason against Miami in the College Football Playoff and looked solid once he settled in. This will be his first year as a starter in what is his third season with the program. Moore played 230 total snaps between offensive line and special teams last year, and whether he can hold down the left tackle spot is going to be a major storyline for Ohio State’s 2026 season.

The challenge ahead for Ian Moore and Ohio State’s offensive front

Moore will have to prove he can handle some talented pass rushers along the way. Ohio State’s schedule is a gauntlet, and protecting the quarterback from the blind side will be a significant test for a player making the jump to full-time starter.

The fact that Ohio State feels comfortable enough to move Siereveld back inside rather than keep him at tackle speaks to the staff’s confidence in Moore. Getting Siereveld back to his natural position strengthens the interior, and if Moore can develop into a reliable left tackle, this offensive line has the makings of a real strength for the Buckeyes.

The coming weeks will tell a lot about how this group gels together before Ball State comes to Columbus to open the season, then more importantly on the road at Texas in Week 2.