Ohio State football heads into the 2024 season with one of the country’s most talented rosters. But with fall camp only a couple of days from kicking off, one of the major questions facing the Buckeyes is about the offensive line. While the Scarlet and Gray players and coaches have faith that the line will be improved, there are still questions surrounding the front five.

The Buckeyes aren’t the only ones who believe in some of Ohio State’s offensive linemen. On Tuesday, the Football Writers Association of America released the 2024 preseason Outland Trophy watch list. This list is made up of 75 players from all 10 FBS conferences and the independent programs, and it will be narrowed down to determine the best college football interior lineman in the country this year.

Ohio State football is tied with Alabama and USC for the second-most players on the 2024 preseason Outland Trophy watch list, trailing only Georgia. The Buckeye representatives on the watch list are offensive tackle Josh Fryar, guard Donovan Jackson and defensive tackle Tyleik William

Heading into his fifth collegiate season, Fryar has spent much of his Scarlet and Gray career as a backup. After playing in all 13 games in 2022, including making his first career start, as Ohio State’s sixth offensive lineman, Fryar was a full-time starter last season, earning the Buckeyes’ right tackle position. Fryar had his struggles as a first-year starter but played well enough to help the Scarlet and Gray win 11 games and to be named a first-team All-Big Ten performer.

After being a highly regarded high school prospect, Jackson was a backup as a true freshman in 2021 but earned a starting spot at left guard in 2022. He maintained that role as a junior last season, earning his second first-team All-Big Ten honor, and has started 26 consecutive games for Ohio State. Jackson surprised many when he elected to to return for his senior season.

Williams emerged as a starter for the Buckeyes last season, earning a starting spot as a junior. Williams was fourth on the Scarlet and Gray with 50 total tackles and managed 10 tackles for a loss, the only Ohio State player to reach double-digits in that department in 2023. The defensive tackle also recorded three sacks, five passes defended and one fumble recovery for a touchdown and was named a second-team All-Big Ten honoree following the year.

The Outland Trophy has been awarded every season since 1946, and four Buckeyes have been recipients of the prestigious award. Guard Jim Parker was the first Scarlet and Gray player to win the award in 1956, followed by nose tackle Jim Stillwagon 14 years later. Offensive tackle John Hicks claimed the honor in 1973, and offensive tackle Orlando Pace was the last Ohio State player to win the award in 1996.