-
Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
LGHL Carson Hinzman looking to make an improved impact after a move to the right
- News
- 0 Replies
Carson Hinzman looking to make an improved impact after a move to the right
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Last year wasn’t the ideal first season as a starter for Hinzman, but he has a chance to change the narrative.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Akron.
Carson Hinzman won’t be Ohio State’s starting center this season, but that doesn’t mean that he won’t be an integral part of the Buckeyes’ offensive line. During Big Ten Media Days last month, Ryan Day seemed to indicate that, while four of the five offensive line starting spots have been decided, the right guard position is coming down to Hinzman and Tegra Tshabola.
With Seth McLoughlin transferring to Columbus from Alabama this offseason, the longtime Crimson Tide starter seems set to assume the center duties this season, leaving Hinzman in the unusual position of being a returning starter who must find a new position if he wants to remain in the starting lineup.
His fall camp didn’t get off to a great start as he missed Thursday’s first practice due to illness. While he returned to the field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Friday, it seems likely that he is still not back to 100%. Fortunately for him, there is a lot of time before the Buckeyes open the season against Akron on Aug. 31.
The battle for the right guard position seems — in the most simplistic of terms — to be about Hinzman’s experience and Tshabola’s size and strength. The former comes in at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds while the latter is listed at 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds. Tshabola has long been considered one of the heirs apparent on the offensive line as he has slowly, but surely, developed his body into one of an elite-level lineman. He has the ability to play either guard or tackle and will undoubtedly be an Ohio State starter at one of those positions in the not-too-distant future, the question is just whether it will be the 2024 season or not.
If Hinzman can postpone Tshabola’s move into the starting rotation, it would be an impressive accomplishment. There is no denying that the OSU offensive line was the weakest position group for the Buckeyes last season. Hinzman was somewhat of a surprise starter at center as Luke Wypler left for the NFL Draft, and objectively, it was just a year too early to throw Hinzman into the lineup.
While Pro Football Focus grades — especially on the offensive line — are not gospel, Hinzman’s marks were not stellar. On the season, he averaged a 52, with his five worst grades happening against arguably the best competition on the schedule: Notre Dame (47.4), Penn State (45.9), Wisconsin (45.1), Michigan State (40.4, ok, MSU is not in the “best competition” discussion), and Michigan (51.2).
For comparison, in Tshabola’s limited action, he averaged a 69.6 grade in his five games.
If Hinzman is able to get over the illness that limited him at the start of fall camp, he has the opportunity to not only change the discussion about him as a player but also the OSU offensive line as a whole. With the experienced McLoughlin at center and expectations high for Josh Simmons and Donovan Jackson on the left side, I believe that there is every reason to believe that the o-line will be much improved this season. I don’t necessarily have a preference in terms of who starts — other than the best man for the job — but I do love the idea of Hinzman having the opportunity to achieve some level of redemption after a rocky 2023.
Professional football doesn’t often offer those types of narratives, but that is what makes college football so exciting. It is obviously all about on-field success, but the extra layer of personal growth and athletic maturation makes college football such a more emotional and sentimental experience. I have no doubt that Day and Justin Frye will pick the right guy to start at right guard — and if I had to guess, I would go out on a limb and say it will be Tshabola — but part of me (most likely my heart) is rooting for Hinzman to have a chance to improve upon last year’s performance.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Last year wasn’t the ideal first season as a starter for Hinzman, but he has a chance to change the narrative.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Akron.
Carson Hinzman won’t be Ohio State’s starting center this season, but that doesn’t mean that he won’t be an integral part of the Buckeyes’ offensive line. During Big Ten Media Days last month, Ryan Day seemed to indicate that, while four of the five offensive line starting spots have been decided, the right guard position is coming down to Hinzman and Tegra Tshabola.
With Seth McLoughlin transferring to Columbus from Alabama this offseason, the longtime Crimson Tide starter seems set to assume the center duties this season, leaving Hinzman in the unusual position of being a returning starter who must find a new position if he wants to remain in the starting lineup.
His fall camp didn’t get off to a great start as he missed Thursday’s first practice due to illness. While he returned to the field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Friday, it seems likely that he is still not back to 100%. Fortunately for him, there is a lot of time before the Buckeyes open the season against Akron on Aug. 31.
The battle for the right guard position seems — in the most simplistic of terms — to be about Hinzman’s experience and Tshabola’s size and strength. The former comes in at 6-foot-5 and 300 pounds while the latter is listed at 6-foot-6 and 327 pounds. Tshabola has long been considered one of the heirs apparent on the offensive line as he has slowly, but surely, developed his body into one of an elite-level lineman. He has the ability to play either guard or tackle and will undoubtedly be an Ohio State starter at one of those positions in the not-too-distant future, the question is just whether it will be the 2024 season or not.
If Hinzman can postpone Tshabola’s move into the starting rotation, it would be an impressive accomplishment. There is no denying that the OSU offensive line was the weakest position group for the Buckeyes last season. Hinzman was somewhat of a surprise starter at center as Luke Wypler left for the NFL Draft, and objectively, it was just a year too early to throw Hinzman into the lineup.
While Pro Football Focus grades — especially on the offensive line — are not gospel, Hinzman’s marks were not stellar. On the season, he averaged a 52, with his five worst grades happening against arguably the best competition on the schedule: Notre Dame (47.4), Penn State (45.9), Wisconsin (45.1), Michigan State (40.4, ok, MSU is not in the “best competition” discussion), and Michigan (51.2).
For comparison, in Tshabola’s limited action, he averaged a 69.6 grade in his five games.
If Hinzman is able to get over the illness that limited him at the start of fall camp, he has the opportunity to not only change the discussion about him as a player but also the OSU offensive line as a whole. With the experienced McLoughlin at center and expectations high for Josh Simmons and Donovan Jackson on the left side, I believe that there is every reason to believe that the o-line will be much improved this season. I don’t necessarily have a preference in terms of who starts — other than the best man for the job — but I do love the idea of Hinzman having the opportunity to achieve some level of redemption after a rocky 2023.
Professional football doesn’t often offer those types of narratives, but that is what makes college football so exciting. It is obviously all about on-field success, but the extra layer of personal growth and athletic maturation makes college football such a more emotional and sentimental experience. I have no doubt that Day and Justin Frye will pick the right guy to start at right guard — and if I had to guess, I would go out on a limb and say it will be Tshabola — but part of me (most likely my heart) is rooting for Hinzman to have a chance to improve upon last year’s performance.
Continue reading...
