Seth McLaughlin
Seth McLaughlin  C  Ohio State | NFL Draft 2025 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Seth McLaughlin
Height
6-4
Weight
305
College
Ohio State
Position
C
Class
Senior
Home town
Buford, GA
81.9/100
Player Rating
39
PositionRank (OL)
5.2
FortyYD Time

Seth McLaughlin C Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Seth McLaughlin C Ohio State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

SUB-POSITION: Center
Last Updated: 12/06/2024
Draft Year: 2025
40 time: 5.20 seconds (62%*)
Measurables:
Height: 6-4 (63%*) Weight: 305 (57%*)
Forty: 5.20 (O) (62%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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SUB-POSITION: Center
Last Updated: 12/06/2024
Draft Year: 2025
40 time: 5.20 seconds (62%*)
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 6-4 (63%*) Weight: 305 (57%*)
Forty: 5.20 (O) (62%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 81.9 / 100
Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced
Defense Rating:
75%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
Pass Blocking:
73%
Run Blocking:
73%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 7th
Overall Rank: #215 Position rank: #39
College Games: 46 College Snaps: 2343
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 80/100
College Combine Results
Grade: 247 Sports 3  Stars 247 Sports 86 Stars 247 RATING: 86/100
Grade: 3 Stars 3 Stars RIVALS RATING: 5.7 (93%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Juice Scruggs - Penn State
92%
James Empey - BYU
91%
Luke Wattenberg - Washington
88%
Draft Profile: Bio
Seth McLaughlin, a center from Ohio State, transferred after four seasons at Alabama where he started 24 games over the past three years. The 6'4", 301-pound lineman helped lead the Crimson Tide to three College Football Playoff appearances and consistently top-10 ranked scoring offenses.

McLaughlin's academic achievements are as impressive as his on-field performance. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Alabama in just 2.5 years with a perfect 4.0 GPA in finance before completing his master's in hospitality management. His intelligence translated to the field, where he was trusted to set protections for Alabama's offensive line.

A standout at Buford High School, McLaughlin replaced future Buckeye Harry Miller as the team's starting center. His high school pedigree and subsequent success at Alabama, including being named to the Rimington Trophy watch list in 2023, speak to his development as an interior lineman. McLaughlin's combination of on-field production and academic excellence culminated in his selection as a first-team Academic All-American and Campbell Trophy semifinalist in his final season with the Crimson Tide.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Exceptional football IQ, consistently identifies and communicates blitz pickups and stunts to offensive line
  • Quick processor from snap to engagement, seamlessly transitions in both run and pass blocking scenarios
  • Displays impressive short-area quickness, effectively reaches second level and executes pull blocks
  • Demonstrates strong recovery skills in pass protection, maintaining position against diverse rush angles
  • Exhibits a finisher's mentality, consistently fights to maintain leverage and seal defenders away from the play
  • Versatile scheme fit, excels in gap/power concepts while showing aptitude for zone blocking principles
  • Possesses the flexibility and agility to adjust hand placement mid-block, countering defender's moves
  • High-effort player who sustains blocks through the whistle and looks for work downfield
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Inconsistent snap location, particularly when faced with head-up rushers, leading to timing disruptions and occasional fumbles
  • Tendency to lunge into blocks, leaving him susceptible to swim moves and push-pull techniques
  • Initial hand placement often too high, allowing defenders to get into his chest and compromise his anchor
  • Struggles with pad level at times, reducing his leverage and power at the point of attack
  • Could improve core strength to better absorb bull rushes and maintain ground against powerful interior defenders
Scouting Report: Summary
McLaughlin's high football IQ and ability to process exotic blitz packages will be coveted by NFL teams. His experience as a pivot and his lateral quickness suggest scheme versatility, potentially allowing him to kick out to guard in a pinch. This position flex could be a game-changer for teams looking to solidify their interior trench depth.

His acumen in both gap/power and zone concepts makes him scheme-diverse. McLaughlin's ability to reach-and-run and pull in space adds another wrinkle to his toolkit, expanding his fit across multiple offensive philosophies. However, cleaning up his shotgun snaps and refining his hand fighting technique are must-dos to maximize his ceiling at the next level.

McLaughlin's cerebral approach, coupled with his nasty streak and positional versatility, provides the framework for a potential plug-and-play NFL starter. His track record of consistently winning in the trenches against SEC competition makes him an intriguing Day 2 target. McLaughlin's academic pedigree and quick study of complex blocking schemes indicate he'll be able to digest NFL playbooks swiftly, potentially allowing him to contribute from day one in the league.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)

How other scouting services rate Seth McLaughlin (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
211.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
45.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.