Miami football 2021 early enrollee Michael McLaughin prototype OT per Manny Diaz
Four-star 2021 early enrollee Michael McLaughlin is the prototype offensive tackle per head coach Manny Diaz. McLaughlin is the sole offensive lineman in the 2021 Miami Football class who is an early enrollee. McLaughlin is a former tight end who switched to offensive tackle late in his high school career.
McLaughlin was the 335th ranked player in the Class of 2021, the 25th ranked OT and the 54th ranked player in Florida. At 6’7, 290 pounds, McLaughlin should be the prototype OT for the Miami football program. McLaughlin will get in the strength and conditioning program under David Feeley and add more muscle.
McLaughlin and redshirt freshman Chris Washington who is also 6’7 are the tallest players in the Miami football program. Diaz likes length throughout the Hurricanes roster. Ten Miami OL are 6’5 or taller. McLaughlin is a project. With the entire OL returning in 2021, Miami has the luxury of redshirting McLaughlin in 2021.
Starting OTs Zion Nelson on the left and Jarrid Williams on the right project to retain their spots in 2021. Nelson started as a true freshman two years ago because of the lack of development ahead of him on the OL. Williams returns as the elder statesman on the Miami OL after transferring from Houston for the 2020 season.
"“Michael McLaughlin, an offensive tackle from Stoneman Douglas. Length. Long arms, long legs, long body, great feet, all of the things you think about when you talk about drawing up what an offensive tackle looks like. And then a great demeanor about him on the field, a very intelligent young man, and a very hard-worker.A prospect who came to one of our camps when he was real young. We have seen him develop and grow. He moved to South Florida in his high school career.In his senior year he made a massive jump as we thought he would because we really thought he had something special in him and cannot wait to get him in our strength and conditioning program.Can’t wait to get him around (offensive line) coach (Garin) Justice because he simply has things you cannot coach and he’s an exciting prospect for our offensive line.”Courtesy Inside The U"
Williams will move on following the 2021 season. Nelson is eligible for the NFL Draft but seems likely to return for the 2022 season. Issiah Walker and Jalen Rivers who were 2020 signees could move inside and play guard this season, but would likely have a chance to compete to be starting tackles in 2021.
dark. Next. Miami offensive line needs developing at higher level
John Campbell is a redshirt sophomore who is projected to be the swing tackle backing up Nelson and Williams in 2021. Campbell also has the option of entering the 2022 NFL Draft. McLaughlin should be a major part of the future of the Miami OL. After taking a year to learn, McLaughlin should challenge for snaps in 2022.