Seth McLaughlin injury update: Latest revealed on Ohio State starting center

In the middle of a quest to lock up a College Football Playoff berth, Ohio State has reportedly suffered a significant injury to starting center Seth McLaughlin.

According to a report from the Columbus Dispatch, McLaughlin suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the rest of the season as a result.

Seth McLaughlin has started all 10 games this season at center, fresh off a transfer from Alabama. His experience in that role will be tough to replace, though the Buckeyes have some options.

The most obvious candidate to step in would be Carson Hinzman, a third-year junior. Hinzman started every regular-season game for the Buckeyes at center last season before moving around on the offensive line this year.

Hinzman has started the last three games at left guard, though, so whatever route the Buckeyes take will likely require some adjustment.

Moving around shouldn’t be a huge issue, though. Ohio State has already done it this season.

Prior to the Penn State game, Ohio State moved Donovan Jackson from left guard to left tackle and moved Hinzman into the lineup at left guard.

Both players felt the move went well and talked about it after the fact.

“Donnie did spectacular. Donnie’s a freak of nature,” Hinzman said. “If I could be anyone else, it’d be Donovan, like the way he moves, the way he plays, the kind of guy he is on all fronts. He works hard, he does the right things, and I think today, he really showed it on the field. Even though obviously it’s a big transition to go from a phone booth to an island, I think he did a really great job.”

Seth McLaughlin transferred into Ohio State this season after a stint at Alabama. That period in his career didn’t necessarily end well, as snapping issues in the postseason followed McLaughlin and cost Alabama at some inopportune moments.

But he’s been quite good this season for the Buckeyes.

Hinzman has praised Seth McLaughlin for being helpful, despite bumping him to the bench at the beginning of the season.

“It’s been a lot of learning,” Hinzman said. “Obviously it’s not what you think coming off of last year. But deep conversations in myself with God, asking why some things happen, and then figuring out — you know, some things like this can be the best things.

“Learning from Seth, he’s an amazing player, he’s an amazing guy.”