Seth McLaughlin Reportedly Out For Season With Torn Achilles

The Buckeyes have reportedly lost their starting center Seth McLaughlin for the rest of the season after he was injured in practice on Tuesday in the week leading up to their matchup with No. 5 Indiana, according to the Columbus Dispatch.

Ohio State’s offensive line was having a resurgent season with McLaughlin leading the way. The front five was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award on Nov. 12, which recognizes the best line in college football.

Ryan Day had said many times that McLaughlin was the biggest part of that improvement and has been extremely valuable in the Buckeyes run game this season. The graduate center received multiple first-team midseason All-American honors for his performance.

Losing McLaughlin is a devastating blow to the Ohio State offense that has been averaging 183.8 rushing yards per game and 451.4 total yards per game. The Buckeyes offensive line has also only given up 12 sacks the entire season, which is tied for 23rd in the country.

Carson Hinzman started at center all of the 2023 season, but recently was put at left guard when both Josh Simmons and Zen Michalski went down with injuries, forcing Donovan Jackson to slide to left tackle.

Hinzman could be a possible replacement for McLaughlin, likely putting Austin Siereveld back at left guard, where he played for two games to stand in for Jackson when he was out for the first two games of the season.