ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's Thaddeus Gibson has some friendly advice for his fellow Big Ten defensive linemen this fall.

Don't stand near the pile after a play, especially if Buckeyes left guard Justin Boren is in the general vicinity.

"He's gonna knock your ass down," Gibson said.

Not that Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor minds one bit.

"He's nasty," Pryor said. "I like that. I don't know what it is. He's just going to fight for you all day and all game. I like that in Boren."

Boren won't play a meaningful down for the Buckeyes until Sept. 5 against Navy, but he has generated buzz ever since he announced he would transfer from archrival Michigan. The Columbus-area native's parting shots at Wolverines head coach Rich Rodriguez -- remember the "family values have eroded" quote? -- will undoubtedly be rehashed throughout his career.

But Michigan likely won't be the only team bearing some bile for Boren. He plays with a mean streak likely to rankle opposing players but beloved by his new Ohio State teammates.

It's no secret that the Buckeyes' offensive line underperformed last year, perhaps from a lack of leadership, perhaps from players getting a bit too comfortable. Boren has immediately worked his way into a starting guard spot this spring, and his presence on the practice field is unmistakable.

"Just from a brute strength perspective, he's unbelievable," Buckeyes senior right tackle Jim Cordle said. "He's the strongest guy we've got on the team. You take a guy with the physical tools like that, and then he plays a little bit pissed off, which is kind of cool. It rubs off on everybody.

"He plays with a little bit of rage."

Boren, through an Ohio State spokesperson, declined ESPN.com's interview request, saying he wants to get through spring practice first. The hydrant-like 6-foot-3, 315-pound guard is doing most of his talking on the field anyway.

"Oh my God, he's a crazy dude," Gibson said. "It's good to have him over there because we're lining up and he's screaming and cussing and [stuff]. He's a good guy to have."

Boren started all 13 games for Michigan in 2007, eight at center and the final five at left guard. His younger brother Zach is among the seven Buckeyes freshmen to enroll early this spring and takes reps with the reserve linebackers.

As Thursday's practice progressed, Mike Boren, a former Michigan linebacker, watched his sons from the sideline, a steely glare in his eyes. Justin Boren's edge clearly runs in the family, and he's bringing it to the Buckeyes' front five.

"You've got guys like him, who kind of set the tone," Cordle said. "You get fights that break out and things like that, but it's just how we're competing now."