One of the more intriguing prospects the Miami Hurricanes have been after in the 2021 cycle has been Marjory Stoneman Douglas (FL) 3-star OL Michael McLaughlin.
As he moved to the South Florida area over the summer from Indiana and enrolled at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, McLaughlin also found himself making the transition to playing offensive line for the first time after previously working as a defensive end and tight end. At his new right tackle position, McLaughlin helped the Eagles to an 8-1 regular season and a district title, before falling in the first round of the state playoffs.
“Junior season went great, I feel like I showed that I had been working hard to improve at my new position,” McLaughlin said. “The transition to offensive line has gone very well, I feel like I’m improving every day.”
The Hurricanes can claim they were the first college program to recognize McLaughlin’s potential, suggesting he workout on the offensive line during a Manny Diaz Camp event last June and offering him his first scholarship by the end of the camp. McLaughlin would return to UM multiple times in the months afterward, including for Paradise Camp, a visit for the Central Michigan game at Hard Rock Stadium in September, as well as for Junior Day two weekends back.
“Junior Day was great, it was a good visit because I got the chance to talk to the new coaching staff. I had a good chance to sit down and talk more with coach (Garin) Justice and talk with coach (Rhett) Lashlee,” McLaughlin said. “Coach Justice was telling me he loves my athleticism and length, and that I have the frame to put on lots of good weight.”
The 6-7 255 pound prospect had been a priority for former UM OL coach Butch Barry since he discovered McLaughlin last summer, but it seems like Justice will continue to push for McLaughlin to join the Canes.
“The change from coach Barry to coach Justice was a surprise, but it’s a business and coaches come and go,” McLaughlin said. “I am looking forward to being recruited by coach Justice though, I really like his emphasis on technique.”
Although he stopped short of naming the Hurricanes his leader, McLaughlin admits UM is a top option for him right now.
“Miami has always been high in my mind,” he said. “I love the atmosphere at Miami. So far, what Miami has shown me really has me feeling good about this opportunity.”
Since earning his Miami offer, McLaughlin has become a more known name on the recruiting circuit, and he has also landed verbal scholarships from Power 5 programs such as FSU, Ole Miss, and UVA among others.
“The recruiting process has been going really well, right now I’m just trying to become educated on all my options,” McLaughlin said. “Right now, the schools I hear from the most are Miami, Louisville, West Virginia, Kentucky, UCF, and Indiana.”
Last weekend, McLaughlin took in West Virginia’s Junior Day event, but he doesn’t have any other visits planned ahead of a tentative summer decision timeline.
“If all goes to plan, I would like to have my decision made by the time my senior season starts,” McLaughlin said. “When I commit to a school, I don’t want to become one of the athletes that decommits. So, until then, I’m going to keep my options open so I will be able to make a fully informed decision that I feel will be the best for me.”
