Ohio State graduate center Seth McLaughlin has been named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes a player for combined academic success, football performance and leadership.
Should he win the Campbell Trophy, he would be the third Ohio State player to win the award, joining Bobby Hoying in 1995 and Craig Krenzel in 2003.
McLaughlin transferred to Ohio State as a graduate after graduating from Alabama with a perfect 4.0 GPA and started in 24 games with the Crimson Tide in his four years at the school, playing in 35 games total. He is working towards earning his third college degree, this one in human development and family science, after earning two at Alabama, a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in sports hospitality management. He was a first-team Academic All-American in 2023.
He was part of Alabama’s team that made it to the College Football Playoff, starting at center, but having some issues snapping the ball in the loss to Michigan in the semifinals. He has since gotten over those issues and has had a solid beginning to the 2024 season with the Buckeyes.
McLaughlin is also on the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, which is awarded each year to the best center in college football, his second consecutive year on the watch list.