Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

New Ohio State Center Seth McLaughlin Reveals What He Learned From Nick Saban At Alabama

Originally posted on Ohio State Buckeyes on SI
By Gaurav Law | Last updated 1/30/24

Senior center Seth McLaughlin spent four years with the Alabama Crimson Tide before transferring to another “hard-nosed football” team - the Ohio State Buckeyes.

McLaughlin — a member of three different College Football Playoff Teams, including the 2020 National Championship team that beat Ohio State — revealed what he learned under legendary head coach Nick Saban with Alabama, and what he took away from his time in Tuscaloosa.

“Playing four years with Coach Saban is tremendous for your personal development," McLaughlin said at transfer player availability Tuesday. "Having him talk to you each and every single day about what it takes to be a man, what it takes to be successful... A lot of people in the country, regardless of profession, would pay a lot of money to have that experience with Coach Saban and his leadership.”

The center added that the Tide would always be his “alma mater” but knew it was time for a change.

“I’m so appreciative for everything that I’ve done there and everything that’s been given to me there,” McLaughlin said. “But we’re playing the sport to be professionals and I just thought for my benefit, the change would be good.”

McLaughlin, a 2023 preseason Rimington Award Watchlist honoree, may hope to start immediately on a Buckeye team that struggled with the run early in the season. Alabama finished top 50 nationally in rushing offense with over 172 yards per game and top 15 in rushing touchdowns with 32.

The Buckeyes, on the other hand, finished in the bottom half of the Big Ten on the ground and recorded just 20 touchdowns.

McLaughlin aims to help change that, knowing that his experience in the SEC should help him in his journey through the Big Ten.

“Good football teams are good football teams. They’re built on toughness, they have the size, they have the talent,” McLaughlin said. “When you get to those games, you don’t really tell because all good football teams resemble each other in some sorts of ways.”

McLaughlin - who immediately projects as a starter along the offensive front - will get a chance to take the field for the Buckeyes in the Ohio State Spring game on April 13.