Report: Ohio State center Seth McLaughlin signs with Cincinnati Bengals as UDFA

Despite suffering a big-time injury during the 2024 season, Seth McLaughlin will get his college career underway as an UDFA. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, McLaughlin has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. McLaughlin has played center his entire college career and is expected to continue to at the next level.

“Ohio State center Seth McLaughlin, No. 1 on ESPN’s best available players list post-draft, is signing an undrafted free agent deal with the #Bengals, per his agency @_SportsTrust,” Fowler said via X.

Ohio State is where McLaughlin gets drafted out of but he spent just one year with the Buckeyes. Head coach Ryan Day brought him into the program via Alabama out of the NCAA transfer portal. McLaughlin had some struggles with the Crimson Tide, something he overcame in a big way in Columbus.

“Just remind myself of who I was,” McLaughlin said via AL.com of his transfer. “I knew in my heart that I could be the best center in college football and I didn’t think last season was a reflection of that, what I could do. So just being in a new environment and a new system with new guys around me, I think I really blossomed.”

McLaughlin played high school football at Buford (GA), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 441 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

There will still be some rehab to undergo for McLaughlin, with his injury being a torn Achilles. But there is now some safety in being drafted.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Seth McLaughlin

A scouting report was provided on McLaughlin prior to the draft via NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. McLaughlin was given a prospect score of 5.98, saying he would become a “average backup or special-teamer.” Zierlein projected the Ohio State prospect as a fifth-round pick during the process as well.

“Highly intelligent center-only prospect coming off of an Achilles tear,” Zierlein said. “McLaughlin has his itinerary fully mapped pre-snap but makes quick alterations when needed. He’s gritty with good core strength. He has the range and radar to pull effectively and operates with timing on work-up blocks.

“He lacks ideal knock-back pop at the point and his block sustain could take a small downturn against NFL power. He’s technically sound in protection but a lack of length and range causes it to get leaky when rushers find his edge. His injury status could hurt his draft slotting, but he has the makeup and consistency to make it in the league.”