Brett Ludwiczak
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Seth McLaughlin is looking to have an immediate impact on Ohio State’s offensive line
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The center joins the Buckeyes after hitting the transfer portal following Alabama’s loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Akron.
The main beneficiary of Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s retirement in January was Ohio State. The Buckeyes were able to bring three Crimson Tide players to Columbus via the transfer portal. While safety Caleb Downs and quarterback Julian Sayin have received most of the attention, center Seth McLaughlin is going to step in immediately on the Ohio State offensive line this season.
Prior to committing to Alabama, McLaughlin grew up and played his high school football in Buford, Georgia. Not only did McLaughlin end up being a four-star recruit, he replaced former Harry Miller on the offensive line after Miller graduated and moved on to Ohio State to play for the Buckeyes from 2019 to 2021. McLaughlin was part of Alabama’s 2020 recruiting class, but he would only play a handful of snaps in his freshman year in Tuscaloosa.
McLaughlin was thrown into the fire late in the 2021 season when he made his first start for Alabama in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia in a game the Crimson Tide would end up winning to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. Following a strong performance against the Bulldogs, McLaughlin earned the start in the CFP semifinal win over Cincinnati, as well as in the loss in the rematch against Georgia in the title game.
Despite holding his own in three starts at center to close out the 2021 season, McLaughlin still sat behind Darrian Dalcourt on Alabama’s depth chart heading into the 2022 season. McLaughlin would eventually move back to the starting center position as Dalcourt was dealing with injuries. By the end of a season that saw the Crimson Tide lose games to Tennessee and LSU by a combined four points to keep them out of the playoff, McLaughlin had started eight games.
Unlike the 2022 season, there was no question about McLaughlin’s role last year on the offensive line, as Dalcourt moved to guard so McLaughlin could start at center. McLaughlin would go on to start 13 games for a Crimson Tide squad that would sneak into the College Football Playoff after beating Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, snapping the 29-game winning streak of the Bulldogs.
Unfortunately for McLaughlin and Alabama, not only did they lose to Michigan in overtime in the Rose Bowl, the center had a number of poor snaps, including one on the final play of the game.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25576958/1903205064.jpg "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 01 CFP Semifinal - Rose Bowl Game - Alabama vs Michigan")
Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Two days after the loss to Michigan, McLaughlin entered the transfer portal. Just three days after entering the portal, McLaughlin decided Ohio State was the right place for him.
The move makes a ton of sense for both sides. Not only did McLaughlin want to play for a prestigious program like Alabama that would be in the national title hunt, but Ohio State brought in an established center since there were questions at the position after Carson Hinzman didn’t play in the Cotton Bowl.
The addition of McLaughlin looked even smarter after Ohio State brought in Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator. O’Brien was part of Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama in 2021 and 2022, so he already had some familiarity working with McLaughlin. O’Brien’s time in Columbus lasted less than a month, as he took the head coaching position at Boston College, which opened up after O’Brien was hired by Ohio State.
Despite O’Brien moving on, Ohio State actually upgraded at offensive coordinator since they brought in UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, who is Ryan Day’s mentor.
Even having played in 35 games and starting 24 contests over the last three seasons, there are some Ohio State fans that might be leery of McLaughlin because of some of those poor snaps against Michigan. McLaughlin isn’t too worried about the issue and is feeling more comfortable in the Ohio State offense because there is a difference in cadence and signaling.
Jalen Milroe and Alabama chose to use a clap to signal they were ready for the snap, while Ohio State is planning to use a verbal cadence, which McLaughlin is more comfortable with.
There certainly are a number of incoming transfers on offense that will receive more attention than McLaughlin, but the center is going to be critical to Ohio State’s success this year. The Buckeyes need McLaughlin to put some of the inconsistent snap issues that were seen from him last year behind him, and hopefully a change in scenery helps.
McLaughlin has plenty of big game experience, so he should fit in just fine on a Buckeye team that has their eyes on a national title this year.
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The center joins the Buckeyes after hitting the transfer portal following Alabama’s loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Akron.
The main beneficiary of Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s retirement in January was Ohio State. The Buckeyes were able to bring three Crimson Tide players to Columbus via the transfer portal. While safety Caleb Downs and quarterback Julian Sayin have received most of the attention, center Seth McLaughlin is going to step in immediately on the Ohio State offensive line this season.
Prior to committing to Alabama, McLaughlin grew up and played his high school football in Buford, Georgia. Not only did McLaughlin end up being a four-star recruit, he replaced former Harry Miller on the offensive line after Miller graduated and moved on to Ohio State to play for the Buckeyes from 2019 to 2021. McLaughlin was part of Alabama’s 2020 recruiting class, but he would only play a handful of snaps in his freshman year in Tuscaloosa.
McLaughlin was thrown into the fire late in the 2021 season when he made his first start for Alabama in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia in a game the Crimson Tide would end up winning to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. Following a strong performance against the Bulldogs, McLaughlin earned the start in the CFP semifinal win over Cincinnati, as well as in the loss in the rematch against Georgia in the title game.
Despite holding his own in three starts at center to close out the 2021 season, McLaughlin still sat behind Darrian Dalcourt on Alabama’s depth chart heading into the 2022 season. McLaughlin would eventually move back to the starting center position as Dalcourt was dealing with injuries. By the end of a season that saw the Crimson Tide lose games to Tennessee and LSU by a combined four points to keep them out of the playoff, McLaughlin had started eight games.
Unlike the 2022 season, there was no question about McLaughlin’s role last year on the offensive line, as Dalcourt moved to guard so McLaughlin could start at center. McLaughlin would go on to start 13 games for a Crimson Tide squad that would sneak into the College Football Playoff after beating Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, snapping the 29-game winning streak of the Bulldogs.
Unfortunately for McLaughlin and Alabama, not only did they lose to Michigan in overtime in the Rose Bowl, the center had a number of poor snaps, including one on the final play of the game.
Two days after the loss to Michigan, McLaughlin entered the transfer portal. Just three days after entering the portal, McLaughlin decided Ohio State was the right place for him.
The move makes a ton of sense for both sides. Not only did McLaughlin want to play for a prestigious program like Alabama that would be in the national title hunt, but Ohio State brought in an established center since there were questions at the position after Carson Hinzman didn’t play in the Cotton Bowl.
The addition of McLaughlin looked even smarter after Ohio State brought in Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator. O’Brien was part of Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama in 2021 and 2022, so he already had some familiarity working with McLaughlin. O’Brien’s time in Columbus lasted less than a month, as he took the head coaching position at Boston College, which opened up after O’Brien was hired by Ohio State.
Despite O’Brien moving on, Ohio State actually upgraded at offensive coordinator since they brought in UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, who is Ryan Day’s mentor.
Even having played in 35 games and starting 24 contests over the last three seasons, there are some Ohio State fans that might be leery of McLaughlin because of some of those poor snaps against Michigan. McLaughlin isn’t too worried about the issue and is feeling more comfortable in the Ohio State offense because there is a difference in cadence and signaling.
Jalen Milroe and Alabama chose to use a clap to signal they were ready for the snap, while Ohio State is planning to use a verbal cadence, which McLaughlin is more comfortable with.
There certainly are a number of incoming transfers on offense that will receive more attention than McLaughlin, but the center is going to be critical to Ohio State’s success this year. The Buckeyes need McLaughlin to put some of the inconsistent snap issues that were seen from him last year behind him, and hopefully a change in scenery helps.
McLaughlin has plenty of big game experience, so he should fit in just fine on a Buckeye team that has their eyes on a national title this year.
Continue reading...