Ohio State '20 IN OL (RS JR) - Josh Fryar

Why @OhioStateFB?

"The coaching staff and the players are just like a family to me." - @joshfryar2 pic.twitter.com/roYxUiBWaR

— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) February 6, 2020

 

FRYAR SHOWS SOME HUMOR, HEART
Speaking of states, the Buckeyes' lone grab from Indiana in the 2020 class was offensive lineman Josh Fryar.

On Wednesday, Fryar was selected to be one of the Big Ten Network's featured athletes in an interview segment with analyst Gerry DiNardo.

The two highlights?

Well, first Fryar asked DiNardo, "Are you wearing makeup?"

And when DiNardo asked Fryar the same question, he admitted, "Yeah. A little bit."

(For what it's worth, based on that genuine laugh in the background, I don't think that was a a scripted moment.)

And when asked why he chose Ohio State, Fryar's first response is something that those who follow Buckeyes recruiting would not find surprising.

"Really, because the coaching staff and players are really just like a family to me," Fryar said. "I just really appreciate them, after I committed, welcoming me. All the texts from players and coaches, it really was just a heartwarming feeling in my body."

 

The 11 freshmen who weren't early enrollees and transfer running back Trey Sermon are all going through their first week of workouts at Ohio State this week. https://t.co/YXO2aJnaWd

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) June 9, 2020

JOSH FRYAR, JAKOB JAMES AND GRANT TOUTANT, OL
All six of Ohio State’s offensive line prospects in the class of 2020 have now arrived on campus, with summer enrollees Fryar, James and Toutant joining early enrollees Paris Johnson Jr., Luke Wypler and Trey Leroux in Columbus.

Ranked as three-star recruits, Toutant, Fryar and James each bring a little something different to the table: Toutant is a 6-foot-7 tackle, James is expected to kick inside to guard and Fryar is a versatile lineman who could potentially play either guard or center. Their first year on campus, though, will be a developmental year for all of them – starting with their work in the weight room and continuing on the field with Greg Studrawa once practices begin – as none of them are expected to be on the two-deep right away.


Josh Fryar and Jakob James

Grant Toutant

 

🚨 Black Stripe Alert ‼️

Big moment for the big man! Congrats on losing your stripe @joshfryar2!#GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/yyBvigqYj8

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 3, 2020

 

Josh Fryar becomes Ohio State’s first freshman offensive lineman to shed his black stripe. https://t.co/anSErTQ656

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 3, 2020

 

After an unconventional first year at Ohio State, the recruiting class of 2020 will look to make a bigger impact for the Buckeyes in 2021.

A look at where things stand for all 24 returning members of that class going into their second year in Columbus: https://t.co/5qwUPEfpRO

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) February 23, 2021

OL JOSH FRYAR (4 SNAPS IN ONE GAME)
Fryar made his Ohio State debut on the final series of the Buckeyes’ blowout win over Michigan State, when he played four snaps at left tackle in his only game action of his freshman year.

As Fryar is a versatile lineman who could play anywhere from tackle to center, it’s still uncertain exactly what spot on the offensive line he’ll end up at long-term. He’s still not likely to see substantial playing time in 2021, but it’s possible he could push for a spot on the two-deep, and at least playing a few snaps as a freshman indicates he’s ahead of some of the other offensive linemen in his class.

 

Finally, @joshfryar2 (No.70) is 6-6, 315. Keep that in mind as you watch him interact wiith @dawandj79 Jones (79) 6-8, 360. Big and Tall Men's shop. pic.twitter.com/QQO68vZiN9

— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) April 12, 2021

 

Tough, gritty Josh Fryar making push at left guard for Buckeyes https://t.co/gIYLu9ryyR

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) June 17, 2021

 

Our latest Redshirt Review profile is on second-year offensive lineman Josh Fryar, who has proved versatile and may be ahead of schedule for Greg Studrawa's unit in 2021.

➡️ https://t.co/q6RivjOZKZ pic.twitter.com/bNIavDyoAg

— Big Me Kickoff (@BigMe_Kickoff) July 13, 2021

 

Josh Fryar building momentum in push for Buckeyes starting spot https://t.co/XBFTQYaoHo

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) July 28, 2021

 

FRYAR WITH THE ONES
For much of the offseason, Matthew Jones and Luke Wypler have been viewed as the two leading candidates to start along with Thayer Munford, Harry Miller, Paris Johnson and Nicholas Petit-Frere. However, the first day of camp highlighted why an under-the-radar second-year lineman – Josh Fryar – should be kept front of mind.

Just as the media began to get shuffled out of the facility following the viewing period, Fryar ran onto the field along with the starting offensive linemen to begin their team run period. He had also lined up beside Miller and Munford during at least a portion of the Buckeyes’ individual drills.

Both times, Fryar – a three-star recruit from Indiana who played only four offensive snaps last season – was positioned at left guard.

Should he now be viewed as the frontrunner ahead of Jones and Wypler? Is it his job to lose? Those are difficult questions to know the answer to this early in camp, especially since he didn’t come into Wednesday’s practice as the presumed leader by those outside of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

Going forward, however, it’s certainly fair to view this as a three-man battle for the fifth starting offensive line spot: Fryar vs. Jones vs. Wypler.

 

• Day says Josh Fryar worked hard in the summer to change his body, which he believes was important because he needed to get more consistent based on his spring.

 

Consistency is the most important thing for Josh Fryar, who's trying to shoot up the depth chart and lay claim to Ohio State's starting left guard opening. https://t.co/VvEZaEUgQx pic.twitter.com/gddA9Qm7R6

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) August 6, 2021

 

• Both Lathan Ransom and Josh Fryar are expected to be available for preseason camp after missing spring practices with injuries.