Three days after entering the transfer portal, Seth McLaughlin, the former center for Alabama, wasted no time finding a new school. He shared with Hayes Fawcett of On3.com that he’s committed to playing for Ohio State in 2024. McLaughlin cited his strong affinity for Coach Frye, the offensive line coach, expressing confidence in Frye’s ability to guide his development as a player.
Following Alabama’s loss to Michigan in the College Football Playoff Semifinal, McLaughlin was among nine players from the team who entered the transfer portal. His performance during the game against the Wolverines drew attention, notably due to several inaccurate snaps to quarterback Jalen Milroe. One such crucial moment occurred during the final play of the game, where a low snap on 4th-and-3 hindered the run and secured Michigan’s 27-20 overtime victory.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show (as reported by Mike Rodak of 247Sports.com), Nick Saban addressed the snap issues, attributing them to McLaughlin misinterpreting a noise resembling a clap. According to Saban, despite Michigan not clapping, McLaughlin perceived a noise that led to early snaps and timing issues, causing disruption for the quarterback.
Another notable incident occurred during the Iron Bowl against Auburn, where a timing miscommunication between McLaughlin and Milroe resulted in a faulty snap on 2nd-and-goal from Auburn’s eight-yard line. However, Milroe salvaged the situation with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond on 4th-and-goal, securing a 27-24 victory for the Crimson Tide.
McLaughlin, a 3-star prospect out of Buford High School in 2020, showcased his skills in 35 games over three years, starting in all 14 games of the previous season. With one year of eligibility left, he aims to make a mark at Ohio State.
