Seth McLaughlin is the fourth Ohio State transfer to shed his black stripe with the Buckeyes.
After Caleb Downs (Alabama) and Quinshon Judkins (Ole Miss) added scarlet to their helmets on Tuesday, McLaughlin and Will Howard (Kansas State) “officially” became Buckeyes after Student Appreciation Day on Saturday.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) March 30, 2024
The OL just added TOUGHNESS to the trenches, welcome @Seth_Mc24 pic.twitter.com/QEwijk7Cu8
McLaughlin arrived in Columbus in January after four years at Alabama. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound offensive lineman appeared in 35 games for the Crimson Tide and made 24 combined starts in 2021, 2022 and 2023. This past season, McLaughlin started in all 14 of Alabama's regular season and postseason contests and was a member of the Rimington Award Trophy watch list.
At Ohio State, McLaughlin inserts himself into an offensive line room that returns three starters from last season – Josh Simmons, Donovan Jackson and Josh Fryar. During the Buckeyes' practice on Saturday, McLaughlin worked with multiple units but was often part of a unit that featured Simmons, Jackson, McLaughlin, Luke Montgomery and Fryar.
In addition to becoming the fourth transfer to shed his black stripe, McLaughlin is the sixth Buckeye overall to participate in the program's rite of passage this offseason. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and redshirt freshman walk-on Brennan Schramm shed their black stripes on March 21.
| Player | Pos | Date | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEREMIAH SMITH | WR | MARCH 21 | FRESHMAN |
| BRENNEN SCHRAMM | WR | MARCH 21 | REDSHIRT FRESHMAN |
| CALEB DOWNS | S | MARCH 26 | SOPHOMORE |
| QUINSHON JUDKINS | RB | MARCH 26 | JUNIOR |
| WILL HOWARD | QB | MARCH 30 | GRADUATE |
| SETH MCLAUGHLIN | OL | MARCH 30 | GRADUATE |
