The multiple offensive line combinations the Ohio State football team could go with
After losing left tackle Josh Simmons to a season-ending injury, the Ohio State football team is now dealing with their second major loss when center Seth McLaughlin is done for the year with an Achilles injury. That's devastating news for Ohio State and now they will need to reshuffle their offensive line again against Indiana, another top-5 opponent.
On the personal side, you feel awful for Seth McLaughlin. He has played at a high level, and he was looking as a day 2 pick in the NFL Draft. I feel awful for him. Below, we discuss some of the options Ohio State has for the offensive line to fill this massive hole.
Option 1: LT Donovan Jackson, LG Austin Siereveld, center Carson Heizman
This is probably the most logical move for Ohio State. Keep Donovan Jackson at left tackle, where he has been solid and is improving, move Carson Hinzman to center, where he played last year, and move Austin Siereveld to left guard.
This is a big spot for Siereveld, but he was rotating at right guard before, so this might not be the hardest move for him. Siereveld was a three-star recruit out of Ohio, but he has shown that he is a solid player and has some potential. If they go with him, there might be some growing pains.
Option 2: LT Donovan Jackson, LG Luke Montgomery, center Carson Hinzman
This is a similar option to the above, but now you play Luke Montgomery at left guard. Montgomery was a four-star offensive lineman out of Ohio. He has played as a guard and as a tackle for Ohio State in the past. Many in the program think that he could play offensive tackle in the future.
Option 3: LT Donovan Jackson, LG Carson Hinzman, C Josh Padilla
This could make a ton of sense for Ohio State. Keep the left side intact and move Josh Padilla to a third-string center to start. Padilla has played only in mop-up duty, including playing a few snaps at the end of last week's game. It might be a big ask for him to start when he has barely played this season, but it might make sense so you can keep your left side intact.
Option 4: LT Tegra Tshabola, LG Donovan Jackson, C Carson Hinzman
This might not be an option because we do not know Tegra Tshabola's status with his injury. This would make sense though because you move Donovan Jackson back to his natural position of left guard and it creates a good spot for him and Hinzman goes back to center his natural position as well. It would allow Jackson and Hinzman to continue to work together.
Final Thoughts
I am not sure what direction Ohio State goes in, but they have the rest of the week to figure it out. Ohio State plays a talented Indiana team this week, then Michigan the following week, and probably Oregon in the Big Ten Championship game, they need to get this sorted out soon.
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The other part of the equation is Chip Kelly and Ryan Day need to call plays a different way. Maybe get rid of the ball quickly or change certain run designs. Whatever they do they need to figure it out soon, or a chance at a special season could go down the drain.