One of the first major transfer announcements after Alabama’s 2023 season ended in the Rose Bowl Game was starting center Seth McLaughlin taking his talents to Ohio State.
Appearing at the Buckeyes’ media event this week, McLaughlin explained why he chose Ohio State over the other programs available. His reasoning was that Ohio State is simply “one of the greatest programs in college football” and he wanted to compete to win a championship in his final year of college.
“I thought Ohio State’s one of the greatest programs in college football,” McLaughlin said. “Coming from a place like Alabama, I thought I wanted to go to another similar place that’s always competing to win championships and has great coaching and great development.”
McLaughlin had been at Alabama for four years and started 24 of 35 games during his time in Tuscaloosa. But a few very bad snaps against Michigan likely cost the team the game and fans were ready to get out their torches and pitchforks.
That didn’t stop McLaughlin from praising Nick Saban and the University of Alabama for helping him develop into not only a better center, but one with NFL Draft potential.
“I thought at this point in my career, I think Alabama had done a great job of developing me from the 265-pound kid into the 300-pound center that I was. But I thought for my 5th year I could do something different, go to a new program and learn from new people, be with a new strength staff and really progress my development further…” he said.
“I have 2 degrees from Alabama, that’s always going to be my alma mater. So appreciative for everything I’ve done and everything that’s been given to me there. But we’re playing this sport to be professionals, and I just thought for my benefit the change would be good.”
Good luck at Ohio State, Seth.