Offensive Line Coach Tyler Bowen and Offensive Line Speak to the Media
8/12/2025 8:55:00 AM | Football
On how he feels about the depth they have:
“I don’t want to put a number on it. There are guys competing. This week is going to be a big week and concerns like, who’s going to roll out there and who are the guys, I think that’s going to be ever evolving. I feel good about the versatility we have, but at some point, we’ve got to be able to line up and say, ‘Hey, I can trust the left tackle, I can trust the right tackle and I can trust the right guard.” Moving around is great, but we have to start honing in now.”
On how set he is with his guards and center positions:
“Well, I think that’s where you have some depth as well. Whether that is Ethan transitioning in there and getting reps, Josh Padilla is a guy that’s doing a nice job, he just keeps getting better and better. I wouldn’t say anything is set yet. It’s all still a work in progress. Obviously, you guys see them, they’re repping at certain positions and some guys are bouncing around a little more than others, but this is a big week. Coming out of this week, there’s a lot of practices, we should have a better idea after their grades on what direction we’re trending. We have to do that quick because I’ll say it, it’s great to have all this depth. That’s great, there’s depth and there are guys that can play in the game, but what five guys, what six guys, what seven guys are going to rotate in that game and play at an elite level, at a level that’s Ohio State’s standard.”
On receiving Rimington Watchlist award:
"I've been blessed. I've been blessed with a lot of adversity coming to Ohio State. This year, especially, it's been different. I think the day after, those guys kind of went on, you kind of realize it's a new season, new guys, it's a new journey together and we've been so blessed to have such great guys come into the room right now that have helped me elevate my game, elevate my leadership and elevate all the attributes that go into what I want to be this season. I think learning from past Buckeyes, trials I've worked with a lot, has been really influential, not only for me as a player, but for me as a person as well. First of all, you have to be very blessed to win it, but second of all, you need a lot of qualities outside of football for it. I’ve learned a lot through that adversity and through that those teachings this season. I’ve been blessed."
On growth as a player:
"It’s like green by my ears. I'm a little older now, bones are a little more sore, but I feel like I'm a completely different player, completely different person. I've been blessed through all those adverse times, through those teachings and through those hard times. I've really learned a lot about myself, a lot about my playing ability, a lot about where I can go as a player, and how much more growth I still have. I still have a really high ceiling for myself that I can reach and every day we're trying to raise that floor. I think from two years ago to now, you could go on film and say that's a completely different player."
On becoming more of a leader:
"I think I’ve been doing a lot better job. I think the leadership on the team as a whole has become such an asset and such a great improvement. We have 18 days until we see Texas come in. I was joking with Hero about it. He was my roommate for two years. He’s my buddy. Until then, I think my leadership is definitely elevated. I think it still needs to elevate intensely. I can grow so much more than what I am right now.We had a conversation like that with our O-line guys. We can be such a good group. We can be a group that's one of the best. I feel like we are the most tight knit wise and collectively wise that l've been a part of before. I think just to put all those pieces together and to bring leadership not only from me, but from a few other guys in the O-line group, it will be really special for this next 18 days."
On how these last few months have been in terms of acclimating to Ohio State:
Honestly, it’s been really great. We’re having a really good summer and it’s helping me bond with my teammates. I’m really enjoying every second of it. It’s hard work but it’s great work. I just can’t even imagine how I was when I came in to where I am now. That’s all thanks to Coach Mick, the strength staff, my position coaches, the nutrition staff — they’ve all pitched in in different ways and helped me develop and enjoy this whole process.
In terms of adjusting your mindset from tackle to guard, how does that change what you do as a lineman?That’s a good question. The biggest thing that I’ve realized is how I can be a lot more aggressive. It’s not like I’m on the edge and I can’t just jump a guy because that guy is faster, but I can be more flat to the line. I can just get on guys and also at the same time have help on both sides. I also still have accountability to help those guys as well, like passing out the games and everything. So that’s kind of been the biggest thing that I’ve had to adjust.
What’s your best attribute as a line that think you present?I feel like dedication. I really want to be incredibly consistent in everything that I do, because yeah you can have flashes here and there, but overall you have to be able to do your job consistently at that level. When it comes to my training, I’ll take twenty minutes after practice going over what I missed during practice or what I can do better, just because I want to be consistent during games and not have lapses in in my play.
On what he is doing in practice:
“We’re preparing everybody to be able to play everywhere needed. That’s something we had to do last year to win the national championship, so we’re doing the exact same thing. Getting guys comfortable being in different placesand getting guys comfortable being uncomfortable.”
On how he's grown the most:
“I think mentality definitely. One of our coaches used to say, ‘You don’t necessarily get faster, you don't necessarily get bigger or strong, you just learn more.’ You learn what you need to do on certain plays, and you get more confident and gain more knowledge.”
On what ways he’s trying to improve:
“Definitely in critical movements. Making sure you lock back into the simple basics, the simple techniques, and the things you work on every day. We read a book called Chop Wood Carry Water and the whole book is all about the mundane things every single day and doing them perfectly."
On how much pride he takes in having a vocal presence when past teammates have left:
“I take a lot of pride in that. I’m a pretty social guy. I haven’t been a stranger and I love making football fun. I enjoy just being able to talk, have energy and bring energy to the games.”
On what he thinks people have learned about him as an offensive lineman:
“I bring a lot of energy, obviously, I love the game. I just wanted to put people in the dirt and have fun. I’m looking to take out ribs, and I’m looking to put people in the dirt every single play.”
On conversations between him and the coaches about playing time and his opportunity:
“That’s what it comes down to, having those conversations with your coaches because that’s what they’re here for. I wanted to pick their brains on what they saw and why I didn’t get a chance, stuff like that. That’s what you have to do. You have those conversations and everyone's on the same page. You’re not going to know anything if you don’t go in there and ask. I thank them a lot for having those conversations with me and being able to open their ears and being open to mine as well. It was great.”
On when he started believing he belonged on the field and how that belief changed his approach:
“I feel I’ve always belonged here. When I was practicing here during the playoffs, I was going against Jack Sawyer and JT, they were just talking to me, especially Jack. He would tell me, 'you're going to be good.' I was getting praise from them, some of the best pass rushers. I was going against Tyleik Williams and all them, so if they tell me I'm good, then I'm going to be good.”
On what his relationship with CJ Hicks mean to him and how valuable it has been to push each other:
“It has been really good. Me and him always say it's a game inside of the game. We’re literally playing mind tricks every time. I might go out there, fake the hand snatch and he might angle a certain way or he will do a move that he hasn't done since spring on me. We'll talk about that every time after the play or talk about it after practice, especially with the run game. Also, teaching Ethan some tricks, we just like the game inside of the game and I really value that relationship.”
On how being here feels different than being in Minnesota:
“It's really pro here. They really try to make sure you take care of your body, set schedules, routine, diet, everything is pro here. Even when we’re practicing, you can't take people down and you can't do certain things, so you have to chill. It's pretty cool here.”
On his transition to left tackle and his mindset now:
“Every day I am learning, trying to get better if it is left or right tackle, nothing is final yet, so we are all repping our primary and our secondary. Nothing is really final for us up front, but we've got to keep working and keep building."
On how Coach Bowen has helped him in his development:
“Whatever I need, he is always there. I ask him questions every day and he is at practice helping me, coaching me up, and just tries to make me the best player I can be.”
On how important the cultural side of football is:
“Our cultures fight and we have to fight every day to be the best versions of ourselves. Our whole team has to stay together, we have to build a culture because we always say we have the best brotherhood in the country. We are always there, and we will all fight together.”
On how he is leveling up his game compared to last year:
“Definitely my leadership. I am sort of a quiet guy, but this year I really needed to step up this summer and I really be a vocal leader."
On the defensive tackle group:
“I feel like our defensive tackle group is definitely trending. Kayden McDonald is definitely one of those guys who's going to be really good this year and we can rely on him. I feel like he's definitely been one of those guys who is hard to block and same with Will. Will, he has taken great strides compared to last year. I think he is a whole different player and he's playing really well."
On the hardest part about adjusting as a freshman offensive lineman in college:
“Obviously, you are not going up against high schoolers; you are going up against first-round picks. I would say for me, being from Ohio, we do not really have spring ball, so coming in as an early enrollee, you never have played football in the spring, so that is another big factor. That is a big shocking moment and you have to learn real quick or you are going to fall behind.”
