Who Is Tegra Tshabola? Everything About the OSU Star’s Congolese Family and Ex-High School Football Brothers Dan & Michael
Alright, picture this: a 6-foot-6, 327-pound mountain of a man with size 17 shoes, who could probably pancake block a truck if he wanted to. That’s Tegra Tshabola for you. But don’t let his size fool you—this Ohio State offensive lineman isn’t all brute force. He’s got finesse, patience, and oh, he’s fluent in French, too. Yep, the man’s got crazy layers. Now, as the Buckeyes gear up for their epic showdown with Notre Dame, Tegra’s story is one you don’t want to miss. Spoiler for you: it starts in the Congo and runs through Ohio football royalty.
Tegra Tshabola is Ohio State’s junior offensive lineman. And he’s been making noise on the field since he first strapped on the Scarlet and Gray. Standing at 6’6” and tipping the scales at 327 pounds, this West Chester, Ohio, product is a beast in those trenches. But don’t think his size is the only thing that sets him apart. Tegra’s versatility is his secret weapon. Whether its special teams or offensive snaps, he’s been a reliable cog in the Buckeyes’ machine since his redshirt freshman year in 2022.
His football journey reads like a classic underdog story. As a freshman, he played defensive line before transitioning to offensive line, where he became an absolute menace. By his junior year of high school, Tegra literally named a Division I first-team All-Ohio offensive lineman, proving that hard work and dedication can flip the script on any narrative. “I just focus on perfecting my craft every single day,” Tegra said in an interview. And boy, does it show.
Tegra’s roots run deep, starting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His family moved to West Chester, Ohio, over a decade ago, bringing their culture and French language with them. Imagine being a kid in a new country, learning English while mastering the art of football—Tegra pulled it off like a champ. His folks, Angel and John Tshabola. Always drilled in the grind and keeping it real—values Tegra straight-up flexes every time he hits the field.
Football is a family affair for the Tshabolas. Tegra grew up literally idolizing his big bros, Dan and Michael, who both played ball for Lakota West High School. Michael, a former linebacker, and Dan, a defensive lineman, set the tone and blueprint for Tegra’s football journey.“They taught me to play every play like it’s your last, so when I’m out here playing football I finish out every play,” Tegra shared. Watching his brothers dominate the field inspired Tegra to chase greatness, even as a kid standing by the bleachers, soaking in every coaching tip he could.
While his brothers left their mark at Lakota West, Tegra took it a step further. A four-star recruit and the top-rated offensive lineman in Ohio, he was a hot commodity in the 2022 class. Colleges came knocking, but Tegra had his sights set on Ohio State, where he’s been quietly building a legacy. And don’t let his soft-spoken demeanor fool you—between the lines, he’s a stone-cold assassin, blocking like his life depends on it.
