Ohio State offensive lineman loses black stripe

Offensive lineman loses his black stripe. #GoBucks

Saturday was a big day for Ohio State football with the commitment announcement from two high-priority recruits in the class of 2025 and some jaw-dropping highlights from some young guns during student appreciation day. Hopefully, it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle that incoming transfer interior offensive lineman, Seth McLaughlin, lost his black stripe.

McLaughlin became a Buckeye via the transfer portal from Alabama and most expected to hear more positive news sooner or later about the expected starting center. Now that his black stripe has been removed, maybe we start to hear some more hype about the former Tide pivot. It is also of note that incoming transfer quarterback, Will Howard, was also able to shed his black stripe today.

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Update: Former Alabama IOL Seth McLaughlin will transfer to Ohio State

After initially slated to visit Texas A&M this weekend, former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin has instead committed to Ohio State.

Texas A&M’s visitors list this weekend continues to grow. Head coach Mike Elko and his newly complete staff have landed 13 players from the transfer portal, including former Purdue star pass rusher Nic Scourton, a native of Bryan, Texas.

The coaches have been shoring up nearly every spot on offense and defense. The Aggies’ offensive line, which took a notable dive in overall performance last season, is in solid shape. Nearly every starter and reserve returns in 2024, but that doesn’t mean a potential upgrade at the center position is out of the question.

On Friday, it was initially reported and confirmed by Rival’s Tony Tsoukalas that former Alabama center and interior offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin planned to visit College Station this weekend. When most woke up on Saturday morning, however, we learned that McLaughlin had committed to Ohio State for the 2024 season.

While McLaughlin’s future at the center position is somewhat murky after displaying snap issues throughout the year, culminating in his worst performance on the year in Alabama’s 27-20 loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl, the incoming senior has a chance to get back to form on what should be a veteran Buckeyes O-line.

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Former Alabama C Seth McLaughlin announces Big Ten transfer destination

Seth McLaughlin has announced where he’ll be transferring to (HINT: he’ll be playing Michigan pretty often)

With one year of eligibility remaining, Seth McLaughlin wasted no time when it came to putting his name into the transfer portal after Alabama’s loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl. The former Crimson Tide center has announced his commitment to Ohio State.

McLaughlin was a strong lineman who just had issues snapping the ball in 2023, many Tide fans, though, will choose to remember him for his performance against the Wolverines in his final game with Alabama. However, he will now have an opportunity to redeem himself against Michigan in 2024 as a Buckeye.

There’s no word yet on whether he will remain at center or be moved around the line, but there’s plenty of time before the 2024 season begins for Ryan Day and his coaching staff to figure it out.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2024 offseason gets underway.

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Ohio State lands former Alabama center transfer Seth McLaughlin

An early morning Saturday BOOM! for the Buckeyes!

We can now put to rest the fact that Ohio State football is not working the transfer portal.

It started with the Buckeyes getting a commitment from tight end Will Kacmarek, then landing Kansas State transfer quarterback, Will Howard. On Saturday, the good times kept rolling as former Alabama center, [autotag]Seth McLaughlin[/autotag], committed to Ohio State.

The plan was for him to take a few more visits after being in Columbus earlier this week, but McLaughlin decided he didn’t need to take anymore time and made his choice. It’s a big get for the Buckeyes because it was obvious after the Cotton Bowl that an influx of talent on the line needed to happen. This could be the first domino.

Three seasons of experience in the SEC is a huge boost, especially considering McLaughlin won’t have to adjust to playing in the Big Ten. He allowed just one sack over that time, which is exceptional considering the quality of competition.

Expect at least one more addition to this group as they revamp protecting Howard for the 2024 season.

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Former Alabama IOL Seth McLaughlin will visit Texas A&M this weekend

It has been reported that Alabama center Seth McLaughlin will take an official visit to Texas A&M this weekend.

Texas A&M’s visitors list this weekend continues to grow, as head coach Mike Elko and his now complete staff have landed 13 players from the transfer portal, including former Purdue star pass rusher Nic Scourton, a native of Bryan, Texas.

Shoring up nearly every spot on offense and defense, the Aggies’ offensive line, which took a notable dive in overall performance last season, is in solid shape with nearly every starter and reserve returning in 2024, but that doesn’t mean a potential upgrade at the center position is out of the question.

While incoming redshirt junior Bryce Foster has been an above performer anchoring the trenches, his play in 2023 was less than stellar, and a move to guard looks like the best option for gauging his NFL future. On Friday, Rival’s Tony Tsoukalas confirmed that former Alabama center and interior offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin will visit College Station this weekend after recently entering the portal last week.

As a three-star prospect in the 2020 recruiting class, McLaughlin, who stands at 6’4″ and weighs over 305 pounds, has four years of SEC experience, appearing in all 14 games during the 2023 season as a consistent presence on the Crimson Tide’s veteran offensive line. However, snap issues during the year, including a notably embarrassing outing in Alabama’s loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl, could result in a position change if he transferred to A&M.

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Report: Ohio State will host Alabama offensive lineman this weekend

The Buckeyes are finally working the portal

Ohio State football has slow played the transfer portal, but it looks like it’s starting to heat up.

Kansas State quarterback Will Howard is currently in Columbus for an official visit, and now Pete Nakos of On3 is reporting that Alabama center, [autotag]Seth McLaughlin[/autotag], will be visiting this coming weekend.

It wasn’t the best Rose Bowl for the former Crimson Tide center, as he struggled with his snaps throughout the contest. The final play of the game, the issues continued, as his errand snap didn’t help his quarterback and created some mis-timing that resulted in a stop to end the game.

With Carson Hinzman not playing in the Sugar Bowl, you have to wonder what position they are recruiting McLaughlin at. Either way, there is a need for interior lineman and the Buckeyes can just figure out positions later.

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Alabama transfer C Seth McLaughlin to visit two Power 5 programs

Alabama center Seth McLaughlin has received interest from numerous programs since entering the transfer portal, especially these two.

Alabama center Seth McLaughlin recently joined numerous other members of the Crimson Tide by joining the transfer portal. He has received interest from numerous high-profile programs already and has two visits scheduled, according to Nick Kelly of the Tuscaloosa News.

First, McLaughlin will take a trip up north to visit Ohio State and then he will head back south to SEC country, where he will visit Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss.

Though his disappointing performance in the Rose Bowl will cloud most fans’ judgment, it’s important to remember that he managed to hold his own as a blocker and earn the interest of some of the biggest programs in the country.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow McLaughlin’s journey throughout the transfer portal, as well as other Alabama players looking to transfer.

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Alabama C Seth McLaughlin entering the transfer portal

Alabama starting center Seth McLaughlin announces plans to transfer

Whether it comes from the transfer portal or someone currently on the roster, the Alabama Crimson Tide will enter into the 2024 season with a new man snapping the ball. [autotag]Seth McLaughlin[/autotag], Alabama’s starting center for the 2023 season, announced his intentions to enter the transfer portal today.

McLaughlin has been with the Crimson Tide program for four years and saw at least a little bit of playing time in each of those seasons. He burst onto the scene in 2022 as he started eight games at center and earned 913 snaps before becoming the full-time stater in 2023.

Unfortunately, McLaughlin had a tough showing in the Rose Bowl with a few bad snaps that really hurt the team and that is likely what most people will remember him for. However, it should not overshadow how valuable of a player he has been for the Tide over these past few years, especially in the Georgia game this year. It’s likely been a tough few days for McLaughlin, so I hope that things can work out for him.

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Alabama’s season long offensive issues stand out in Rose Bowl loss to Michigan

Despite their improvements, Alabama’s season long offensive woes stuck out in Rose Bowl loss

A team generally never loses a game because of one player or play, it is an accumulation of plays throughout the contest that determine who wins and who loses.

For Alabama in the Rose Bowl, the same issues that have plagued the Crimson Tide from time to time this season reared their head against Michigan.

You can’t deny the progress and the improvement that [autotag]Jalen Milroe[/autotag] and this Alabama offense made this season, but there were still some glaring weaknesses that were never truly resolved. Those weaknesses manifested themselves on Monday in the Rose Bowl.

It’s really easy to point to play calling in hindsight, but more times than not it comes down to execution and Alabama simply could not execute the little things consistently this season.

For whatever reason, it has been a season-long struggle for center Seth McLaughlin to effectively deliver a shotgun snap to Milroe which has thrown off the timing of the play far too many times. There were several instances in the Rose Bowl where McLaughlin had snapping issues, including the Tide’s final play in overtime.

You can’t place all of the blame on McLaughlin either. Milroe struggled to read defenses pre-snap this season. Whether it was sliding the protection to the right place, knowing his hot read, or sensing where the pressure would be coming from, Milroe struggled with the little things that it takes to be a successful quarterback at the highest level.

For all the improvements that were made this season, it was inevitable that the deficiencies of the Alabama offense would likely cost them, and on Monday they did.

Alabama should be proud of what they were able to accomplish during the season. After the first month, everyone had the Tide written off as a championship contender and all they did was win the SEC and make the College Football Playoff. But if they want to win another national championship, this year’s offensive woes will need to be resolved.

The good news for Tide fans is that all of these issues are correctable and you can bet your bottom dollar that [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] and his staff will do their best to ensure they are.

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Projecting which Alabama players will turn pro and which players will return to school

When the season comes to an end, several Alabama players will have to decide whether to go pro or return to school. See who we predict to declare and come back.

Every year, the Alabama football program has roster turnover. Some players elect to enter the NFL draft. Others either elect to return to school or enter the transfer portal.

For upperclassmen, the usual option is to go pro or return to school. In the past, multiple players have increased their stock by returning to Alabama instead of declaring early. Several that come to mind are Reuben Foster, Rashaan Evans, and Najee Harris. Several who entered the draft early and likely would have benefitted from coming back were Adrian Hubbard, Saivion Smith, and Deionte Thompson.

With Alabama’s season ending in less than a month, a handful of players will be tasked with making critical decisions for their future.

Roll Tide Wire projects which Alabama players will turn pro and which players will choose to return to school.