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Ohio State’s Seth McLaughlin Reveals Why He Did Not Initially Like QB Will Howard

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated Jan 19, 2025 5:52 PM ET

Ohio State center Seth McLaughlin and quarterback Will Howard first met as players at Alabama and Kansas State, and their initial meeting wasn't telling of the future friendship that has developed throughout the season.

As the Buckeyes prepare to take on Notre Dame in the national championship game on Monday night, McLaughlin opened up on his connection with Howard and how the pair of talented transfers have grown together at Ohio State.

According to On3's Pete Nakos, McLaughlin said that Howard "big-timed" him when they met on Bourbon Street in New Orleans after the Crimson Tide's win over Kansas State in the 2022 Sugar Bowl.

"I went to shake his hand, and he didn’t recognize I was a player so he big-timed me," McLaughlin said via On3. "So for two years, I did not like that guy."

McLaughlin transferred to Ohio State two days before Howard elected to do the same. And Mclaughlin made sure to remind his new quarterback of their first meeting years earlier.

“I reminded him of that, and he was like, ‘Oh my god, you looked familiar,'” McLaughlin said.

It appears that whatever differences the two may have had were put to rest quickly, as a large part of Ohio State's success this season can be attributed to McLaughlin, the Rimington Trophy winner, and Howard, an All-Big Ten selection.

“We’ve been best friends since the first day we got on campus,” McLaughlin said. “It’s been awesome getting to know him, and we’re going to be friends forever.”

While Howard prepares to lead the Buckeyes against a stout Irish defense, McLaughlin will be supporting on the sidelines to end his collegiate career. The future NFL prospect is nursing a season-ending Achilles injury that occurred before Ohio State's win over Indiana in November.

Ohio State (13-2) will face Notre Dame (14-1) on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) for the national title in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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