Josh Fryar, a former offensive lineman for Ohio State, joined the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday night as an undrafted free agent, rejoining colleagues Marvin Harrison Jr., Paris Johnson Jr., Denzel Burke, and Cody Simon as well as former offensive line coach Justin Frye.

In the chaotic and often unpredictable landscape of the NFL Draft, few stories resonate quite like those of the players who don’t hear their names called over three days but still find a path forward. Josh Fryar, a former Ohio State offensive lineman known for his steady presence and versatility, added his name to that list Saturday night.

Though Fryar went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, he quickly found a new home, signing with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent. In doing so, he reunites with several familiar faces: former Buckeye teammates Marvin Harrison Jr., Paris Johnson Jr., Denzel Burke, and Cody Simon, along with former Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye, now a rising figure on Arizona’s coaching staff.

For Fryar, the signing not only represents the continuation of his football journey but also the culmination of years of hard work, perseverance, and loyalty to a program that shaped him — and the chance to once again prove himself alongside those who became brothers in Columbus.

Josh Fryar’s road to Ohio State was the stuff of Midwestern football dreams. A 4-star recruit out of Beech Grove High School in Indiana, Fryar was part of the Buckeyes’ impressive 2020 recruiting class. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing over 315 pounds, he possessed the physicality coaches covet but also carried a reputation for being a “coach’s son” type — cerebral, hard-working, and fundamentally sound.

During his early years at Ohio State, Fryar had to be patient. Buried behind future NFL draft picks and surrounded by five-star talent, he embraced the role of a developmental player. He redshirted in 2020 and saw limited action over the next two seasons. However, Fryar’s perseverance and flexibility — being able to play both tackle and guard — earned him increasing snaps.

In 2023, he emerged as a crucial starter at right tackle for the Buckeyes, helping stabilize an offensive line that was tasked with protecting high-profile quarterbacks and facilitating an elite run game. Though Ohio State’s season fell short of its ultimate goals, Fryar was often a bright spot, demonstrating solid technique, a strong anchor, and improved footwork.

Heading into the 2024 season, many expected Fryar to contend for All-Big Ten honors, and while he wasn’t a flashy player, he brought reliability — a trait often undervalued in offensive linemen but essential to any successful unit.

Despite Fryar’s collegiate success, the 2025 NFL Draft presented challenges. Scouts saw his versatility as a strength, but there were concerns about his athletic ceiling compared to other top offensive line prospects. In a draft heavy with freakishly athletic tackles and interior linemen, Fryar found himself overlooked.

Reports suggested teams saw him as a classic “swing lineman” — someone who could be a valuable depth piece capable of filling in multiple spots but not necessarily starting right away. That type of evaluation can often lead to a player falling out of the draft, and unfortunately, that’s what happened to Fryar.

Still, Fryar’s camp remained optimistic. His phone was active almost immediately after the draft, with several teams expressing interest. Ultimately, the fit with Arizona — a place already loaded with familiar faces and a coaching staff that understood his skill set — was too perfect to pass up.

In many ways, Fryar’s move to Arizona feels less like starting over and more like an extension of his Ohio State experience.

The Cardinals drafted Marvin Harrison Jr. — considered by many the best wide receiver prospect in years — with the No. 4 overall pick a year ago. Paris Johnson Jr., another Buckeye and Fryar’s former offensive line teammate, was selected by Arizona in the first round of the 2023 draft and has become a key cog in their offensive plans.

Denzel Burke, a tough, athletic cornerback out of Ohio State, joined Harrison in Arizona after being drafted early in 2025, while linebacker Cody Simon was also picked up in this cycle. Moreover, Arizona’s offensive line coach, Justin Frye, once guided Josh Fryar’s development in Columbus and now reunites with him professionally.

“It’s surreal,” Fryar said in a phone interview after signing. “When I was weighing my options, knowing there were guys like Marvin, Paris, Denzel, Cody — and Coach Frye — already there made the decision easier. I trust them. They know what I bring to the table.”

The Buckeye pipeline to Arizona seems to be getting stronger, and Fryar’s addition only strengthens those ties.

Arizona’s offensive line situation remains a work in progress. Protecting franchise quarterback Kyler Murray — and giving the offense room to operate — has been a point of emphasis. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued the unit in recent seasons, and the front office knows they need quality depth across the board.

Fryar offers just that.

He is a polished technician whose biggest strengths include:

• Versatility: Fryar started at right tackle but also took snaps at guard and could theoretically kick inside full-time if needed.
• Football IQ: He understands complex blocking schemes and has experience adjusting protections, a valuable trait for a team that runs multiple looks.
• Reliability: Fryar rarely missed assignments at Ohio State and was known for being assignment-sound, a trait that will help him transition quickly.
• Leadership: Though not the loudest voice, Fryar was often described by teammates as a “glue guy” — someone who kept the group focused.

While he likely won’t be a Day 1 starter for the Cardinals, Fryar has a real opportunity to carve out a spot on the 53-man roster, particularly if he can demonstrate value at multiple positions during training camp.

Fryar’s story is about more than just a football transaction; it’s about the strength of the Buckeye brotherhood.

Marvin Harrison Jr. has already become one of the faces of the Cardinals franchise. Paris Johnson Jr. is anchoring the offensive line. Denzel Burke and Cody Simon are expected to inject young talent into the defense. Now Fryar joins them, further illustrating how Ohio State continues to feed the NFL with top-end talent and high-character individuals.

Arizona’s embrace of Buckeye culture is evident. The Cardinals have not only valued the athletic gifts of Ohio State products but also their work ethic, discipline, and team-first mentality. That synergy should ease Fryar’s transition from college to the pros.

“They build us a certain way at Ohio State,” Fryar said. “We’re expected to compete every day. We’re expected to be good teammates. We’re expected to play for each other, not just ourselves. That mentality doesn’t change just because you’re in the NFL.”

While Fryar’s path to an NFL roster spot won’t be easy, he’s used to earning his keep. He won’t shy away from competition, and in many ways, he thrives in environments where he has something to prove.

Arizona likely views Fryar as a high-upside depth piece who could develop into a valuable backup — or potentially more. If injuries strike, his versatility will be a huge asset. And under the guidance of Justin Frye, who knows exactly how to maximize Fryar’s strengths, the future is bright.

The early portions of training camp will be critical. Fryar will need to show he can handle the speed of the NFL game, anchor against powerful defensive linemen, and pick up Arizona’s offensive system quickly. Special teams work, particularly in field goal and extra point protection units, could also be a way for him to stick.

But if there’s one thing Fryar has always done, it’s embrace the challenge.

In the end, Josh Fryar’s journey from undrafted hopeful to a legitimate NFL opportunity is a story of perseverance — a reminder that sometimes the scenic route is just as rewarding as the fast track.

He won’t forget the sting of going undrafted. That pain will fuel him in workouts, meetings, and practices. But he also knows that opportunity matters more than where you start.

For Fryar, opportunity now wears red and white. It’s in the Arizona desert, surrounded by old friends and trusted mentors, where his NFL story truly begins.

“It’s crazy how life works sometimes,” Fryar said. “But I wouldn’t want it any other way. I’m ready to get to work.”

And work he will — with a Buckeye-sized chip on his shoulder and a band of brothers ready to welcome him to the next chapter.