COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio state football could not have demanded much more from the center than what Josh Myers has provided in the past two seasons.
Successfully making the guard transition, Myers has emerged as one of the best centers of the Big Ten. He also became an important voice on the team, serving as team captain during a difficult – and ultimately successful – season in 2020.
Myers declared for the NFL’s 2021 Draft on Friday night. His shoes are great to occupy an important position, especially since the Buckeyes will also break as a starting quarterback for the first time in 2021. Whoever throws the next pass to Ohio will be playing the first. The connection between Myers and Justin Fields helped to stabilize the attack, and someone else must build that relationship.
The state of Ohio has established several options for a smooth transition in the center.
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Harry Miller seems the most immediate and obvious choice. He was recruited as a center. Although he started in the left guard most of this season, he moved to the center when Myers had to lose the Michigan game due to a positive COVID-19 test.
Miller struggled a bit with his grooves in that game. On the other hand, Miller’s development over two years is impressive under the circumstances.
He arrived in the summer as a freshman, so he didn’t have early spring enrollment to start his development. Then, its second spring was ended by the pandemic after a week. There may not have been a match that was more adversely affected by week-by-week uncertainty and confusing season starts and stops.
Myers said he considered Miller’s development part of his responsibility. Such guardianship may be worthwhile for a player whose intellect must play well in the center.
If the Buckeyes finally decide that Miller makes more sense in the long-term guard, Luke Wypler may also get a look. The four-star prospect, ranked just out of the top 100 for the 2020 class, will be just a second year. Wypler, however, may still be a year away from making an initial impact.
Myers continued the impressive trend in Ohio state centers initiated by Billy Price and Pat Elflein. There can be a perfect transition for the next member of that tradition.
Obtain the Ohio State Sugar Bowl champions and CFP equipment: Check out the shirts, hats and more merchandise that celebrate Ohio State’s Sugar Bowl victory over Clemson, as well as the Buckeyes gear that advance into the College Football Playoff national championship game.
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