After four years with the Alabama Crimson Tide, center Seth McLaughlin made the pivotal decision to transfer to Ohio State for the 2024 season. His departure stemmed from a combination of personal development goals and challenges faced during his tenure at Alabama.
McLaughlin acknowledged the snapping issues that plagued him during the season, notably in the Rose Bowl loss to Michigan. Reflecting on these struggles, he remarked, “Once you have a bad one, you kind of start thinking about, ‘OK, I got to get this right.’ I don’t think I was really struggling from a mental standpoint; it was a matter of it just happened.”
Despite these challenges, McLaughlin expressed deep appreciation for his time at Alabama, stating, “I am incredibly thankful for Coach Saban and the tremendous blessing of playing for the University of Alabama for the past four years.”
In seeking a fresh start, McLaughlin was drawn to Ohio State’s esteemed football program. He emphasized his desire to continue competing at the highest level, noting, “I thought Ohio State’s one of the greatest programs in college football. 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.”
Ultimately, McLaughlin’s decision was driven by a commitment to personal growth and professional aspirations. He believed that a change in environment would further his development, stating, “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.”
As he transitions to Ohio State, McLaughlin carries with him the lessons and experiences from Alabama, ready to embrace new challenges and opportunities in his pursuit of excellence on the footba
ll field.
