COLUMBUS, Ohio –– Turning in a career-year by all measures as a senior in 2020, one would think starting left tackle Thayer Munford had reached something of a pinnacle in performance as a Buckeye.

Both Munford and offensive line coach Greg Studrawa disagree. In fact, there’s a specific goal Munford is aiming for before his time at Ohio State is over; one that may be within reach, but not quite a foregone conclusion just yet.

“I do believe I will be the best tackle to come out of next year’s draft,” Munford said. “But I just believe that if you keep working at it, you’re gonna get there.”

Following Ohio State’s national championship game loss to Alabama in January, Munford was one of the last Buckeyes to leave the field, sticking around to watch the Crimson Tide coronation while the confetti fell alongside fellow seniors Justin Hilliard and Jonathon Cooper, among others.

It was a group that seemed to be soaking up its final moments as college football players at Ohio State before transitioning to the next level. Only, Munford decided not long after that it would not be his final collegiate effort after all.

Munford was motivated to return for a fifth season in Columbus to fulfill a promise to his mother that he would earn his degree, but on the football side of things, Studrawa said his postseason conversations with Munford turned toward what he might accomplish with an additional year under his belt.

“At the end of the season when we sat down and talked about it, obviously the degree was important. But more so is, ‘Coach I haven’t peaked yet. I can be better than this,” Studrawa said. “I think he realized that, part of the reason he came back was to attain that level of, ‘I’m not just really good, I’m the best.’ He’s got a chance to be the best tackle in the country.”

Three seasons of tape as a starter at left tackle at a program like Ohio State is much more than most would need to comfortably ensure an NFL Draft selection. However, his 2018 season was plagued by a back injury that required surgery, his 2019 season held back by the slow recovery process, and his impressive 2020 campaign was half as long as a normal year.

“He played pretty well [in 2019], but he knew he wasn’t playing at a level he was proud of,” Studrawa said. “Not only us, but a level that he thought he could play at. ‘Coach, I’m so much better than that.’ Then he gets a year of training in the offseason, he’s as strong as he’s ever been, he’s moving as quick as he’s ever been at 320 pounds, and his attention to detail and technique has totally changed.”

One more season playing at a first-team All-Big Ten level –– and this time (hopefully) a full one –– might just vault Munford further up draft boards as he garners the national attention that has eluded him to this point.

Studrawa said Munford is chasing first-round status, something that no Buckeye offensive tackle has achieved since Taylor Decker was taken No. 16 overall by the Detroit Lions in 2016.

It’s “unbelievable” how far Munford has come, Studrawa said, but both he and his pupil still believe he has a ways to go.

“I’m happy where I’m at, but I’m not really satisfied,” Munford said.