Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
Today’s Question: Who will be the surprise player we’re talking about following Ohio State-Texas?
Jami’s Take: Phillip Daniels
Though Ryan
Day said yesterday that Ohio State wouldn’t make a final decision on the starting right tackle until later this week, he also made it clear Phillip Daniels will see a substantial amount of playing time against Texas on Saturday.
If you’ve heard Daniels’ name this preseason, it’s likely been in discussions about the Buckeyes’ offensive line shakeup. With the departures of linemen like Josh Simmons and Josh Fryar for the NFL, the future of Ohio State’s offensive line has been a point of discussion throughout the offseason. If you haven’t heard his name yet, it’s only a matter of time.
As pundits and fans speculated about this future, many expected Austin Siereveld to step in as Fryar’s replacement as right tackle. Instead, Day surprised many by announcing Siereveld would start at left tackle instead. Daniels, an Ohio native and transfer out of Minnesota, is now the heavy favorite to start on the right side, though he is still technically competing with Ethan Onianwa for the role until Day makes a formal announcement.
The fourth-best tackle in the portal, Daniels has been hungry to prove himself this preseason, but Saturday will be our first chance to see his hard work come to life in a real game situation, and the game’s high stakes mean he’ll get to show us what he’s made of on a national stage.
The offensive line will be critical to the Buckeyes’ success against the Longhorns this weekend as Ohio State breaks in a new starting quarterback in Julian Sayin, as well as a new starting running back in James Peoples. While both Sayin and Peoples have seen playing time, it will be the first time either takes on a starring role at the collegiate level, so the offensive line will play an important role in making sure the reviews are good.
Daniels is going to be a big factor in that. Though Siereveld will have the more difficult role of protecting Sayin’s blind side, Daniels is still going to play a key part in giving Sayin time to throw the ball, as well as creating lanes for the rush.
Additionally, Texas had a top-5 pass rush last season and returns almost 70 percent of its sack production, so both players will have their work cut out for them, and their performance will be critical if the Buckeyes want to secure a win on Saturday. The good news? Daniels has been squaring off with Ohio State’s pass rushers in practice, which is as good of preparation as anything for this weekend’s game.
Offensive line coach Tyler Bowen has been touting this group as “elite,” and Daniels has been praised for his mean streak. Though Buckeye fans might not be super familiar with his work at Minnesota, Daniels told the press earlier this month that his goal is to “be the best right tackle in the nation,” and Saturday will be a powerful test for that.
I expect Daniels to be a surprise hit against Texas. His confidence and determination—to win games, as well as win and keep his starting spot—all position him to surprise fans this weekend and kick off what could be a breakout season for him.
Matt’s Take: Devin Sanchez
When Ohio State kicks off its 2025 season at 12 noon ET in Ohio Stadium this Saturday, most of the spotlight will be on the two new starting quarterbacks — Arch Manning for UT and Julian Sayin for OSU, the battle in the trenches with both No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State featuring rebuilt lines, and the lingering lessons learned from the two teams’ Cotton Bowl matchup in January. However, if you’re looking for a name that could swing the game in an unexpected way, don’t sleep on true freshman cornerback Devin Sanchez.
The Houston native was one of the crown jewels of the Buckeyes’ 2025 recruiting class, and there’s a reason Alabama, Texas, and every other national power chased him. At 6-foot-2, Sanchez combines length, fluidity, and competitive fire in a way that doesn’t look like an 18-year-old stepping onto the field for the first time. He looks like a Sunday player, and the Buckeyes might need him to play beyond his years immediately.
Clearly, Sanchez is not going to come into Columbus and be a Day 1 starter with Davison Igbinosin and Jermaine Mathews Jr. ahead of him, but it is almost guaranteed that he will be on the two-deep and will rotate in behind Mathews. And given his freaky athleticism and the emotions of playing his home-state team, don’t be surprised if he ends up making a play or two that have a major impact on the outcome.
I know that Manning started two games for Texas last season, but they were against Louisiana–Monroe and Mississippi State, not exactly on the same level as what he will face in The Horseshoe on Saturday. And, if you recall, he kind of got his clock cleaned by Lathan Ransom the last time these two teams played.
So, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the heir to the Manning legacy was a bit anxious at times. If that’s the case, he might be susceptible to some turnovers if a certain highly-skilled, fast-twitch athlete can take advantage; that’s where Sanchez comes in. His ability to mirror receivers downfield and contest passes without panicking is exactly what Ohio State lacked at times in past high-stakes showdowns. If he can give new defensive coordinator Matt Patricia confidence to keep the scheme aggressive — blitzing, rolling safeties, and trusting his corners — even when backups are in, then the Buckeyes might be able to force Manning into some first-time starter mistakes.
We have seen it time and time again, freshmen corners can often compete at this level physically, but they often struggle with the mental side of the game: diagnosing route combinations, disguising coverage, keeping up with tempo. But everything we saw from Sanchez in high school and what we’ve seen and heard from spring and fall camps seems like he has not only acclimated to the college game, but he is already thriving. If he has already tapped into a maturity beyond his age, the combination of that veteran mentality with his unique skill set could just be enough to make a play or two that could flip a drive or even the game.
In a matchup between two talent-equal teams where every possession will liekly matter, Sanchez (or any backup) doesn’t need to dominate; he just needs to spell and support the starters when he’s on the field. However, we do know that truly special freshmen can make an impact (looking at you J.J.), so a third-down pass breakup, a red-zone deflection, maybe even an interception seems right in line for what Sanchez could provide on Saturday, given the opportunity. If he brings that spark, it won’t just be a coming-out party for him — it could be the exact edge Ohio State needs to leave The Shoe on Saturday as the de facto No. 1 team in the country.
