After former Troy offensive tackle Derrick Graham visited Ohio State on Wednesday, the Buckeyes will welcome another transfer offensive lineman to campus this week.
According to Pete Nakos of On3, former Alabama center Seth McLaughlin is expected to visit Columbus between Friday and Sunday.
Alabama transfer center Seth McLaughlin is expected to make a visit to Ohio State this weekend, a source tells @On3sports. Not on campus yet.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) January 4, 2024
He's played in 36 career games and made 25 starts with the Crimson Tide.https://t.co/VNvB2EkEgp pic.twitter.com/Aqb7F4hU9l
McLaughlin entered the transfer portal soon after Alabama fell to Michigan in overtime, 27-20, in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl. He appeared in 36 games and made 25 starts across four seasons with the Crimson Tide.
A three-star offensive lineman out of Buford High School, a powerhouse program in the state of Georgia, McLaughlin arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2020. He chose Alabama over Arkansas, Auburn, Clemson and Florida State.
McLaughlin appeared in one game as a freshman but became one of Alabama's top reserves as a sophomore in 2021, appearing in 10 games and receiving three starts. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound lineman then made eight starts for the Crimson Tide in 2022 and started all 14 games in 2023.
This past season, McLaughlin drew criticism for his performance, namely his inaccurate snaps to quarterback Jalen Milroe. None received more scrutiny than his final snap in the Rose Bowl, which forced Milroe to reach toward the ground to secure the football before he barreled into the offensive line on Alabama's final play of overtime.
JALEN MILROE IS STOPPED ON 4TH DOWN
— ESPN (@espn) January 2, 2024
THE WOLVERINES ARE HEADED TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/X2x3tPzwqr
"With anything, it takes preparation, whether it's pass protection, whether it's the running game, the passing game," Milroe said postgame. "The quarterback and the center have to have a great relationship, and that's something that we tried to build throughout the whole season. There's a multitude of things that me and Seth talk about in that regard. That's something that we do talk about."
According to Pro Football Focus, McLaughlin's overall grades in the past three seasons were 73.2 in 2021, 74.3 in 2022 and 59.4 in 2023. His 2023 grade includes a 62.7 mark as a run blocker and a 58.7 mark as a pass blocker. Though McLaughlin was primarily a center at Alabama, it's feasible he could move to guard if he chooses to transfer to Ohio State.
After McLaughlin visits Ohio State this weekend, he intends to visit Ole Miss between Jan. 12 and Jan. 14, according to Nick Kelly of Tuscaloosa News.
