Why Zen Michalski is Ohio State football's replacement for Josh Simmons at left tackle

The season-ending knee injury to Josh Simmons left Ohio State with two options to replace him.

It could continue to lean on Zen Michalski, who filled in for Simmons after he went down at Oregon two weeks ago , or reshuffle the offensive line by moving either of its guards to left tackle and having Austin Siereveld take over for them in the interior.

The Buckeyes opted for the former, keeping Michalski in place as the starting left tackle as they return from an idle week.

“He’s a veteran guy who has played a lot of football,” coach Ryan Day said.

Day touted Michalski’s experience as a factor in tapping him as the starter. A fourth-year junior from southern Indiana, he’s been with the Buckeyes since 2021.

Most of his reps, though, have been limited to practices. Before playing 105 snaps as a backup this fall, he logged just a combined 102 on offense over his first three seasons, per Pro Football Focus. His start against Nebraska on Saturday will be his first.

But his effort between games has given Day confidence moving forward.

“What you see every day in practice, a veteran guy that’s been in the program for a while,” Day said, “he knows what we’re doing.”

His role at Oregon, filling in admirably for two and a half quarters, didn’t hurt either.

“The thing about being a backup is you never know when your time is going to be,” Day said, “and then all of a sudden you get thrust into a game like that one. But he was ready. Was it perfect? No, but he did some good things.”

With Michalski lined up at left tackle against the Ducks, the Buckeyes allowed only one sack, containing a formidable pass rush even without star defensive end Jordan Burch. Oregon has had multiple sacks in all but two games this year.

Preseason training camp also contributed to Michalski’s preparation for a starting role. Simmons was among the handful of offensive linemen who were sidelined by an illness early in August.

The situation left Michalski, as well as others, to see more reps with the starting offensive line in the preseason practices.

"It did help us in a strange way," Day said. "Guys got forced into it early in camp and had to respond. It allowed them some confidence that they can step into that spot and play.

“Now Zen’s got to take the next step. It’s one thing to be in a situation where you’re coming to finish a game. Now he’s got to go about being a starter. I know he’s excited about the opportunity. He deserves it.”

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @joeyrkaufman or email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com .

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Zen Michalski's experience puts him in line to start as Ohio State LT