Josh Myers ready to resume Rimington dominance for Ohio State

The speculation, debate and conversations about Ohio State never end, and Lettermen Row is always ready to dive into the discussions. All week long, senior writer Austin Ward will field topics about the Buckeyes submitted by readers and break down anything that’s on the minds of the Best Damn Fans in the Land. Have a question that needs to be tackled, like the one today about Ohio State and Josh Myers? Send it in right here — and check back daily for the answers.

Who moves to guard in the fall? Myers or Miller?

— Randy White (@rwhite4865) February 4, 2020

Josh Myers should already have more awards on his shelf.

Unfortunately for the Ohio State center, he didn’t have any brand-name recognition as a first-time starter last season. So even though he was playing at a level high enough that some NFL talent evaluators believe he could have skipped to the professional ranks after just one year in the lineup, Myers still wasn’t able to overcome the preseason hype that existed elsewhere.

That’s not going to be a problem this season. And while he will almost certainly be even better after another year of development, if he just gives the Buckeyes exactly what he did as a redshirt sophomore again, Myers is almost certainly going to be a Rimington Trophy finalist — and a decent bet even in February to become another winner for a program which has dominated that award.

First, the Buckeyes have to solidify their plans for Myers. But it would qualify as a surprise if position coach Greg Studrawa elected to slide him back to guard considering just how productive Myers was at one of the most challenging positions on offense. The fact that Ohio State could even have a debate about moving one of the best centers in the country to another spot is a testament to the remarkable depth on hand — and certainly a tribute to the bright future for Harry Miller.

Miller arrived both physically and mentally ready for the position a year ago, and Ohio State won’t bat an eye if the second-year lineman needs to take over the snapping duties for some reason this season. He is the future at the position for the Buckeyes, there’s no question about that. But Myers is the present. And as both Pat Elflein and Billy Price can attest, there is incredible value to gaining experience at guard before taking over as the anchor of the unit.

There’s still going to be competition at guard, though, particularly since Enokk Vimahi is sticking around instead of taking a two-year church mission as originally planned. So, while Miller might be tabbed as a potential favorite for a starting job heading into spring practice, the fight for that last spot on the interior of the line is going to be heated since Myers and Wyatt Davis aren’t leaving the lineup anytime soon.

Both of those guys have already drawn praise as two of the best blockers in the country, and this year should have a dramatically different feel for them now that every preseason watch list and All-American team should be including them. Those projections are going to have Josh Myers at center, of course, and that’s really where he should stay for the Buckeyes for one more year as well.

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