McLaughlin among 9 Tide players to enter portal

Tom VanHaaren, ESPN Staff WriterJan 3, 2024, 04:21 PM ET
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- ESPN staff writer
- Joined ESPN in 2011
- Graduated from Central Michigan

Alabama had nine players enter the transfer portal Wednesday, including starting center Seth McLaughln, former five-star receiver Shazz Preston and freshman quarterback Eli Holstein.

McLaughlin was in his fourth year with Alabama and will have up to two years of eligibility remaining at the program he plays for next. He saw his first meaningful action for the Crimson Tide in the SEC championship game against Georgia in 2021.

He started in eight games at center in the 2022 season and started all 14 games in 2023.

McLaughlin played center in the College Football Playoff semifinal loss against Michigan. He had two snaps go off target in the game, which seemed to be a culmination of snapping issues throughout the season between McLaughlin and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.

Alabama offensive lineman Terrence Ferguson also entered his name in the transfer portal, hurting the depth on the interior of the line for the 2024 season.

Preston was the No. 16 prospect in the 2022 class but has had minimal production with the Crimson Tide.

Holstein was the No. 23 prospect overall in the 2023 recruiting class and signed with Alabama in the same class as ESPN 300 quarterback Dylan Lonergan. This season’s starter, Milroe, announced he will return to Alabama in 2024, and Holstein is now in the portal.

The other entries from the day include wide receiver Malik Benson, defensive back Kristian Story, defensive back Earl Little, defensive lineman Monkell Goodwine and tight end Miles Kitselman.