Carson Hinzman: 'As a player he's relentless'
Ohio State went into a rare territory to land one of the nation's top-ranked interior linemen when they received a commitment from Carson Hinzman.
Out of St. Croix Central HS (WI), Hinzman became commitment No. 20 for the Buckeyes in their 2022 class, securing the final pieces to yet another top-five class nationally.
Scarlet and Gray Report caught up with St. Croix Central head coach, John Tackmann following Hinzman's commitment to get his perspective on what the interior lineman will be bringing to Ohio State on and off the field, what he can continue to work on as he prepares for the next level, and what made Ohio State an ideal fit.
ON HINZMAN THE FOOTBALL PLAYER: "As a player, he's relentless. He doesn't want to just beat his opponent, he wants to dominate and embarrass them. Throughout the years it would be routine to watch him fill on a double team with another (offensive lineman), chip to pancake the (linebacker), and then sprint downfield to pick off a (defensive back). A type of guy that would never look around for his ball carrier, but, instead, always be hunting up the next defensive player to take out. I mean, not only was he the biggest guy on the field, he was also the most athletic, and could always be found running sideline-to-sideline more than any other player.
I know he's going to Ohio State as an (offensive lineman), but he played both ways for us here at our school. A four-year starter for us on defense and (a) three-year starter on offense.. Defensively, Carson would routinely, fight off double-teams, defeat a cut block and still make the tackle on a level three toss play, which is why he was named the state of Wisconsin's Defensive Player of the Year this year as well. His motor is non-stop and his drive to win is not matched by many. He's a stuck together 6'4", 275, with the frame and athleticism to bulk up to whatever weight needed at the next level."
ON AREAS WHERE HINZMAN CAN CONTINUE TO WORK ON: "Like anyone making the jump to the next level I think the hardest thing is, now, really learning the game of football and mastering the techniques required to be great at his position, (which) will be the biggest things with making the move to the Big Ten. In high school, players can get away with so many things off of straight athleticism. That's not the case for him now.
Learning not just the 'what' is going on out on the field, but also fully understanding the 'why' are they doing things a certain way, and 'how' do they do it in order to be successful is the key. Not only for his position, but for all 11 spots on offense, and then for the other side of the ball too. Understanding the ins and outs of the entire game and how it's operating around him is huge to be an elite player for Ohio State. The other part is then mastering the small things: the little techniques of hand placement, foot placement and eyes will be huge for him. The types of skills that seem boring, and mundane are usually the ones that determine a big-time win or a loss. But knowing Carson, he will get up each day in Columbus, get his workout in, go to class, then move to the meeting rooms and out to the practice field and tirelessly work on those things I listed above because that's just the type of player he is. That's who he's been for us the past four years, and that's who he will be for Ohio State."
ON WHY OHIO STATE IS AN IDEAL FIT FOR HINZMAN: "He loves the process of football just as much as he loves the game of football. The culture and the drive to compete at the highest level is what he loved at Ohio State (and) is why I feel this is the perfect fit for him. It was a long recruiting process over the past four years, and I know he's excited to transition into the next phase of it and report to campus this summer. I'm excited to watch him continue his career down there with Ohio State and look forward to seeing him take the field over the next few years for the Buckeyes."