Lakota West product Tshabola ready to contribute for Buckeyes

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

COLUMBUS — “I would say I’m a pretty adaptable person.”

That was Tegra Tshabola’s concluding statement from his time with reporters Tuesday at Ohio State, a fitting statement for the offensive lineman’s 2023 so far.

The redshirt freshman from Lakota West went into the spring competing to be the new starter at right tackle.

That represented a move from his first season in Columbus, when he was the backup left guard.

This month, he has found himself back on the left side, but at tackle as the competition to replace All-American Paris Johnson Jr. continues.

Whether that ends up being Tshabola, who remains friends with Johnson, or San Diego State transfer Jimmy Simmons, the former Firebird sounded content with his place on the team.

“My role, I mean it’s not exactly 100-percent set yet, but I want to help this team in as many different ways as I can,” Tshabola said. “Anywhere I’m needed, I want to be the guy that can step in. Make a switch here, make a switch there — anywhere I’m needed.”

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