It’s a chilly February 21, 2025, and while most of us are still basking in the glow of Ohio State’s national championship win last month, the Buckeyes’ coaching staff isn’t resting. Nope, they’re already deep in the trenches—figuratively and literally—chasing the next crop of offensive line stars for the 2026 class. New offensive line coach Tyler Bowen is leading the charge, and let me tell you, this guy’s hitting the ground running like he’s got something to prove. With fresh offers flying out and a hometown kid like Adam Guthrie in the spotlight, the future of Ohio State’s big uglies up front is starting to take shape. Here’s the scoop on who’s who and what’s cooking in Columbus.

Tyler Bowen: The New Guy with Big Plans

Picture this: You’re Tyler Bowen, stepping into one of the biggest jobs in college football just weeks ago. You’ve coached All-Americans, called plays as an offensive coordinator, and now you’re tasked with keeping Ohio State’s offensive line a powerhouse. No pressure, right? Well, Bowen’s not fazed. In the last 24 hours, he’s dropped three new scholarship offers to 2026 offensive line prospects like it’s Christmas morning. And these aren’t just any kids—they’re the kind of players who could pancake defenders for years.

• Deacon Schmitt (Windsor, CO): Imagine a 6-foot-6, 275-pound kid from Colorado who’s as athletic as he is big. That’s Deacon. He got his Ohio State offer today, and you can bet he’s grinning ear to ear. He’s already got Colorado and Kansas State knocking, but when the Buckeyes call, it’s a whole different ballgame. I can see him squinting at film of Josh Simmons and dreaming of protecting the next Ohio State QB.
• Claude Mpouma (Chicago, IL): Claude’s a Chicago kid from Mount Carmel—a school that churns out tough, gritty linemen like it’s a factory. At 6-foot-5 and 290 pounds, he’s got the size and the moves to make recruiters drool. His offer came today too, joining Illinois and Wisconsin on his list. I’d love to be a fly on the wall when he tells his buddies, “Yeah, Ohio State wants me.” That’s the kind of moment that changes a kid’s life.
• Evan Goodwin (Rogers, AR): Evan’s a gentle giant at 6-foot-7, 300 pounds, and he’s been on Ohio State’s radar since Bowen offered him a few days back on February 17. He told Bucknuts he’s “definitely interested” in the Buckeyes, and you can hear the excitement in his voice. Here’s the cool part: he already knows Charlie Dickey, one of Ohio State’s new analysts, from when Dickey recruited him at Oklahoma State. That connection? It’s like having an uncle in your corner at a family reunion.

Bowen’s going after guys who are big, yes, but also quick and smart—perfect fits for Ohio State’s high-octane offense. After signing just three linemen in 2025, he’s clearly thinking, “We need more beef up front,” and I’m here for it.

Adam Guthrie: The Local Kid Everyone Wants

Now, let’s talk about Adam Guthrie. If you’re from Ohio, you might know Miami Trace High School as that small-town spot about 30 minutes from Columbus. Adam’s a 6-foot-7, 285-pound tackle who’s got the whole state buzzing. He’s ranked No. 6 in Ohio for 2026 by 247Sports, and when he got his Ohio State offer back on October 5, 2024, during the Iowa game, he called it “crazy.” I get it—imagine being 17, standing in the Shoe with 100,000 fans screaming, and someone hands you a golden ticket.

Adam’s got official visits lined up for June: Clemson on May 31, Ohio State on June 6, and Penn State on June 13. He’s been back to Columbus since, including for “The Game” against Michigan, and Ohio State’s planning to swing by his school twice in one day soon. That’s the kind of love that says, “You’re our guy.” With 39 offers—Alabama, Michigan, you name it—he’s got options, but staying home could be special. His first big offer came from Marcus Johnson, now an Ohio State analyst, so there’s a bond there. Still, Clemson’s a real threat. June 6 might just be the day he decides where his heart’s at.

The Rest of the Crew: Who Else Is on the List?

Bowen’s not stopping with Adam and his new offers. Ohio State’s chasing a whole squad of 2026 linemen, and it’s like a wish list for any fan who loves watching the big guys up front.

• Maxwell Riley (Avon Lake, OH): Max is another Ohio kid, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound beast who can play tackle or guard. He’s down to Ohio State and Clemson, and honestly, I’d bet on the Buckeyes. He’s close enough to smell the Scarlet and Gray paint, and after that championship? He’s got to be tempted.
• Jackson Cantwell (Nixa, MO): Okay, this kid’s the dream. At 6-foot-8, 300 pounds, he’s the No. 1 player in the whole 2026 class. Ohio State’s in his top six with Alabama, Georgia, and others, but pulling him from Missouri would be like stealing a prize hog from the state fair. I’m crossing my fingers.
• Immanuel Iheanacho (Rockville, MD): Immanuel’s a 6-foot-7, 325-pound five-star who’s got every coach in America texting him. Ohio State’s in the mix, but it’s going to take some charm to beat out the SEC and ACC.
• Felix Ojo (Mansfield, TX): Felix is 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, and he’s got an official visit set with Ohio State. Coming from Texas, where football’s practically religion, he’s a long shot worth chasing.
• Darius Gray (Richmond, VA): Darius, a five-star, was pumped when Bowen got hired—he knows him from Virginia Tech. At 6-foot-5, 305 pounds, he’s a monster, and Ohio State’s fighting to get him despite his packed visit schedule elsewhere.

Then there’s Sam Greer from Akron, Ben Nichols from Michigan, Micah Smith from Florida, and Samuelu Utu from California—all four-star talents Bowen’s eyeing. It’s like he’s building a dream team of linemen, and I’m already imagining them opening holes for the next TreVeyon Henderson.

Why It Matters

Here’s the deal: Ohio State’s offensive line is why we’re champs right now. Guys like Josh Simmons and Donovan Jackson made it happen, but they’re gone after 2025. We’ve got some studs coming back—Carson Hinzman, Tegra Tshabola, plus transfers Ethan Onianwa and Phillip Daniels—but we need more, especially at tackle. Bowen knows it, and he’s not messing around.

Think about it: a kid like Adam Guthrie pancaking a Michigan linebacker in 2026, or Evan Goodwin stonewalling some SEC edge rusher. That’s the vision. With Bowen’s recruiting chops—he landed stars like Olu Fashanu at Penn State—and new analysts like Dickey and Johnson helping out, Ohio State’s got the tools to make it real. The 2025 class was top-five, and if Bowen can snag Adam, maybe Jackson Cantwell, and a couple of his new offer kids, 2026 could be even better.

What’s Next?

June’s the big month—those official visits, especially Adam’s on June 6, are going to tell us a lot. For now, I’m picturing Tyler Bowen sipping coffee, scrolling through film, and texting these kids like, “Hey, want to be a Buckeye?” It’s early, but the excitement’s real. Ohio State’s offensive line isn’t just a position group—it’s the heartbeat of this team. And if Bowen keeps this up, that heart’s going to keep pumping strong.

So, Buckeye fans, keep an eye on these names. They’re the future, and they’re already making us dream big.