National championships in college football do not start with quarterbacks, skilled offensive players, great defensive players, or coaches.
The journey to a national title begins in the trenches along the offensive and defensive lines. Nick Saban, the University of Alabama’s head football coach, has stated multiple times he wants balance on offense.
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The balance comes from having toughness, physicality, a determination to run the football, and control the game from the offensive line. Whoever has been the center on the Crimson Tide’s front unit bore the responsibility of communicating signals, establishing unity, presenting a dominant presence, and leading Alabama’s offense to overwhelm the opponent. William Vlachos, Barrett Jones, Ryan Kelly, Bradley Bozeman, and Landon Dickerson took it upon themselves to make sure the Tide excelled.
Each one guided Alabama’s offense to a national championship. Kelly and Dickerson anchored units that won the Joe Moore Award, which goes to the nation’s top offensive line, in 2015 and 2020. Seth McLaughlin, a senior, returns as the most important lineman for the Tide. In his second year under Eric Wolford, McLaughlin has taken on the gritty, bully approach of his position coach. The native Georgian enrolled in Alabama’s 2020 class as a three-star. He arrived at 280 pounds, but McLaughlin cracked the 300-pound threshold during the spring 4th Quarter Program. At 301 pounds, the 6’4″ specimen now possesses the strength to sustain. He’s always been a scrappy player, making his first start against Auburn in the 2021 Iron Bowl.
McLaughlin came off the bench, stabilized the front, and helped Bryce Young put together a game-tying touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. He handled Georgia’s Jordan Davis in the SEC Championship Game that year, protecting Young to toss for 421 yards and three touchdowns. McLaughlin played in 11 games last season — including eight starts — posting 913 snaps.
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After watching Darrian Dalcourt start the first three games, McLaughlin made his first start as center versus Arkansas. He allowed one sack in 2022, and the team loves his toughness. Alabama cannot afford to flip-flop centers in the fall.
It needs to go with McLaughlin and roll with him as he’s shown the most consistency. The right side of the offensive line should be monstrous with Tyler Booker and JC Latham. Elijah Prichett is growing as a potential left tackle, and it seems like Dalcourt is becoming the guy at left guard. Kadyn Proctor, a five-star freshman, has an opportunity to shake up the starting rotation.
McLaughlin is the anchor for everything. Alabama needs him to excel if it wants a national championship.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
