Ex-Alabama $900 Million Center WR Has Returned For 2024 Season…..

Buckeye Seth McLaughlin will be. The former center for Alabama football team declared he would attend Ohio State for his final year of eligibility.

Before using the transfer portal this week, McLaughlin was a member of the Crimson Tide for four years, starting for the better part of two of those seasons. The Buford, Georgia native McLaughlin made his debut in the 2021 SEC Championship. This autumn, he snapped for all 14 games, but he had trouble getting into a rhythm with Jalen Milroe.

McLaughlin used social media to announce his post. Prior to the Rose Bowl, he had been a member of UA’s developing offensive line. With the Tide averaging more than 170 yards per game on the ground, McLaughlin gave the West Alabama Food Bank his NIL earnings from a “Run The Damn Ball” hat.

However, McLaughlin’s inconsistent snapping proved costly as the line collapsed overall against No. 1 Michigan, resulting in multiple sacks. After mishandling the game’s final play in overtime on the 3-yard line, McLaughlin declined to answer any questions from the media.

Along with guard Terrence Ferguson, McLaughlin is the second offensive lineman to enter the portal. With JC Latham, a right tackle, also going pro, position coach Eric Wolford will have two starters to replace before fall football arrives. Naquil Betrand, a transfer from Texas A&M and former three-star offensive lineman, will be one of the new recruits at UA.

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Ohio State accepts transfer Seth McLaughlin: As the Buckeyes look to retool their offense, former Alabama offensive lineman Will Howard joins them.

McLaughlin faced Ohio State’s fiercest rival, Michigan, in the Rose Bowl. McLaughlin started all 14 games this season.

Several Crimson Tide players, including former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin, entered the transfer portal this week following the Wolverines’ Rose Bowl loss to Michigan. On Saturday, McLaughlin declared his commitment to Ohio State, the Wolverines’ biggest rival.

McLaughlin is the latest high-profile transfer portal addition to Ohio State’s offensive line, which also includes former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard. The Buckeyes hope to contend for the Big Ten title again in 2024. Throughout his collegiate career, the adaptable 6-foot-4, 305-pound offensive lineman started all 14 of Alabama’s games in 2023. Listed as a four-star in the 247Sports transfer rankings, he rated as one of the portal’s best interior offensive linemen.

An 11-2 record might seem reasonable at most programs, but after losing to Michigan three times in a row and going three seasons without having the opportunity to compete for the Big Ten title, Ohio State coach Ryan Day is under pressure to make changes to the team.

An offense that had regressed from the previous season was highlighted by the 14-3 Cotton Bowl loss to Missouri. It was ranked outside the top 20 in yards per play (6.38), outside the top 40 in total offense (407.9), and scoring 30.5 points per game. Although Ohio State’s defense was championship-caliber in 2023, the team’s offensive rankings were below average due to problems at the quarterback position and along the offensive line. The Howard addition is paired with a skilled and adaptable player like McLaughlin to address those concerns.