During the offseason, the Ohio State football program knew they had certain holes they had to fill using the transfer portal. The biggest hole was obviously at the quarterback position. They filled that with Will Howard, who has played very well so far this season.
The offensive line had a few holes that they needed to fill. They ended up only filling one of them. They transitioned Carson Hinzman out of the starting center role in order to make room for Seth McLaughlin, who transferred in from Alabama. Hinzman didn't end up starting until the Penn State game and that was at left guard.
Since McLaughlin has taken over the starting center spot, he has been fantastic. He has been the one solid performer all season long up front. The snapping issues we saw him have in the Rose Bowl are a thing of the past. His snaps have been perfectly fine.
Ohio State football player Seth McLaughlin accepts an invite to the Senior Bowl
McLaughlin has been so good that he has already received an invite from the Senior Bowl. McLaughlin has already accepted that invite as well. The Senior Bowl will give him a great chance to show a multitude of NFL scouts how good he is and how good he can continue to be.
The Buckeyes would not be as good as they are right now if it wasn't for McLaughlin. McLaughlin has kept the offensive line together. He's a big reason why this unit is a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line in the country.
McLaughlin is looking like he could play himself into a second-round pick. If he has a good week at the Senior Bowl, he has an outside shot to be a late first-round pick. That would be some rise for someone who had snapping issues in one of the biggest games of his career just under a year ago.
There will be more Buckeyes who get invites to the Senior Bowl as the season comes to a close. Perhaps only J.T. Tuimoloau will be able to increase his stock more than McLaughlin with an invitation.