Scarlet and Game
Fansided

One offensive lineman has had a strange fall from grace for Ohio State football team

The Ohio State football team has had one member of the offensive line go from starter to third-string guard in a strange turn of events.

By Ryan Stano

Nov 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Carson Hinzman (75) calls out a Michigan Wolverines defense during the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium. Ohio State lost 30-24.
Nov 25, 2023; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Carson Hinzman (75) calls out a Michigan Wolverines defense during the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium. Ohio State lost 30-24. / Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
facebooktwitterreddit

Last season, the worst unit on the Ohio State football team was the offensive line. They weren't able to open up holes in the run game, nor were they able to protect the passer in the biggest games. The Michigan and Missouri games were an absolute nightmare for that unit.

The starting center last season was Carson Hinzman. As a freshman, he was thrust into a role that wasn't his natural spot. He was recruited as a guard. Still, he was the starting man up the middle, calling out blitzes and making sure the protections were right.

Hinzman definitely had some ups and downs, but he wasn't the worst offensive lineman out there. Once Seth McLaughlin was grabbed from the transfer portal, it was expected that Hinzman would make the move over to right guard and start there. Now, he's somehow a third-string offensive lineman.

Carson Hinzman's future with the Ohio State football program

Things have been weird ever since he was mysteriously benched in the Cotton Bowl last year. The rumor was that it was because of a podcast. That podcast may end up costing Hinzman more than just his starting center spot because now he's not a starter anywhere.

In fact, he's not even a backup. Austin Siereveld has been the backup right guard to Tegra Tshabola. Ryan Day indicated that both of those guys will continue to play. Meanwhile, Hinzman is left to sit on the bench a year after being the youngest starter on the offensive line.

I'm not really sure why Hinzman has fallen so fast. I think he's a talented player who was put in a tough spot last year. His play in the Spring Game certainly didn't show that he had regressed to the point that he would only be considered a third-stringer, but the coaches see things differently.

manual

You have to wonder if Hinzman will stick around after this year now that this has happened. There will be more spots open on the offensive line next season, but the bridge might already be burnt. For his part, Hinzman hasn't said much. He clearly doesn't want to be a distraction, which is a good thing.

Home/Ohio State Football