Scouting Report: Weaknesses

• Struggles with consistency in snapping, leading to benching for bowl game
• Lacks ideal power at point of attack and can get overwhelmed by stronger interior defenders
• Still raw technically, particularly in hand usage and leverage
• Pass protection needs refinement, often relies too much on athleticism over technique
• Limited starting experience with only one full season under his belt

Scouting Report: Summary

Hinzman's NFL outlook has become significantly more uncertain due to the intense competition for the starting center position at Ohio State. If he loses this battle to Alabama transfer Seth McLaughlin, it could severely impact his draft stock and overall NFL prospects. Failing to secure a starting role in college often raises red flags for NFL scouts and talent evaluators.

For a player who couldn't consistently start at the collegiate level, the path to an NFL roster becomes much steeper. Teams may view Hinzman as a project at best, questioning whether he has the necessary skills and competitiveness to succeed at the professional level. This situation could potentially push him into late-round consideration or even undrafted free-agent territory.

If Hinzman does lose the starting job, his NFL future likely shifts from a potential mid-round developmental prospect to a long-shot candidate fighting for a practice squad position. Teams may still be intrigued by his physical tools and academic acumen, but these attributes alone rarely overcome a lack of significant playing time at a major program.

Ultimately, the outcome of this position battle could be a defining moment in Hinzman's football career. To maintain viable NFL prospects, he'll need to either win the starting job outright or, at minimum, split time in a meaningful rotation. Anything less could relegate him to the fringes of NFL consideration, requiring an exceptional showing in pre-draft workouts and interviews to reestablish his potential value to NFL teams.