Former Ohio State center Seth McLaughlin did not see his name called in the seven-round 2025 NFL draft, but he did sign with a team shortly after the draft’s conclusion, inking a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday night.
McLaughlin heads south on I-71 with the Bengals after a successful one-and-done season with Ohio State. After spending four seasons at Alabama under legendary head coach Nick Saban, McLaughlin transferred to Ohio State and immediately endeared himself to the Buckeye fanbase and program. He earned the starting center role at the beginning of season and was the unquestioned leader of the offensive line, paving the way for the group to give up just 1.2 sacks per game through 10 games, which was tied for 24th-best in the country.
McLaughlin’s season was cut short in painful fashion when he went down with a torn Achilles ahead of Ohio State’s Nov. 23 game against Indiana, but that injury still didn’t stop him from receiving several national awards for his performance all season. He was named the winner of the 2024 Rimington Award for the nation’s best center as well as a consensus All-American.
McLaughlin also stayed with Ohio State during its four-game national championship run through the College Football Playoff, still serving as a vocal leader from the sidelines while wearing a walking boot and riding a scooter.
McLaughlin — who said during that he is making solid progress in his recovery and should be full-go by July — will now look to use his leadership skills and physicality to make an impression on a Bengals offensive line that struggled some to protect quarterback Joe Burrow last year, giving up 48 sacks, tied for the fourth-most in the NFL with Sam Darnold. The Bengals’ projected starting center for 2025 is Ted Karras, who started all of the franchise’s games since the 2022 season.
