Four-star Wisconsin offensive lineman Carson Hinzman was torn between Ohio State and Wisconsin, the team he grew up rooting for. From the start of his recruitment, not many gave Ohio State a chance to land Hinzman once he received his Badgers offer. Wisconsin doesn’t lose too many in-state offensive linemen, and Ohio State had only had two former players from the Badger State suit up for the team in program history.

Hinzman took a visit to Columbus on Oct. 30 when the Buckeyes played Penn State, and was impressed with the winning tradition OSU offered. While Hinzman was still torn between the two schools during the Early Signing Period, the desire to compete for national championships was real, and he knew he’d have that opportunity at Ohio State. It’s the clear reason why running backs coach Tony Alford and former OSU offensive line coach Greg Studrawa pulled off a major recruiting win and landed the commitment of the four-star offensive lineman on Jan. 4. 

“It was their culture,” Hinzman said of why he picked Ohio State on Jan. 4 after an All-American Bowl practice. “I love how they have that championship-winning culture. They have a great chance to further their players and make you better. The competition there is absolutely insane, they're pulling in the best defensive linemen, and if you want to be the best offensive lineman, you have to beat the best defensive linemen. I love the consistency, it's huge for me, and they've been consistently great.”

His commitment to Ohio State was tested early, though. A mere two days after his commitment, Studrawa was fired from Ohio State. Hinzman wasn’t even told of Studrawa’s dismissal until Midway through an All-American Bowl practice. But he stayed consistent with his promise he delivered two days prior: He’d be committing to a school, not a coach. 

“It’s a business,” Hinzman said upon hearing the news of the coaching change. “Like I said to myself and said to my family, I’m not committed to a coach, I’m committed to the people and the culture. I’m committed to the best fans in the land in Columbus. I’m excited to get to work there, I’m not just doing this for one coach, I’m doing this for myself and my family. 

“Anything can happen, but I’m a man of my word and I’m going to keep my promise.”

Hinzman kept his word by putting his pen to paper and signing with Ohio State on Wednesday, making him the fourth offensive lineman signee in this class in addition to Avery Henry, Tegra Tshabola and George Fitzpatrick. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound offensive lineman, who is ranked as the 172nd-best player and the ninth-best interior offensive lineman in the 2022 class, is expected to play either guard or center for Ohio State.

While Hinzman has said he expects to redshirt his first season, he holds plenty of potential to be a starter for Ohio State in two or three years.

Hinzman will be the first Wisconsin native to play for Ohio State since center Jimmie Meckstroth (Wilton, Wisconsin) played for OSU in the 1971 and 1972 seasons, and only the third ever along with George Zavistoske (Racine, Wisconsin), who played halfback for the Buckeyes from 1939-1941.