Former Alabama players reflect on Ohio State national championship

Even with a foot in a boot due to a ruptured Achilles tendon, Ohio State’s Seth McLaughlin stood on a chair in celebration. A cigar in his mouth, the former Alabama football center took the moment in, enjoying the national title the Buckeyes had won.

“Feels good,” McLaughlin shouted through the giddy yells and rap music. “Feels great.”

McLaughlin didn’t play in the 34-23 win over Notre Dame due to the injury he suffered late in the Buckeye season. Still, he used the season in Columbus to rebuild his confidence, and the night in Atlanta was a perfect ending.

Fitting for him and his Ohio State teammates, whose season was in question when they fell in in the regular season finale against Michigan.

“There isn’t a single person in here that hasn’t been doubted by everybody in the country,” McLaughlin said. “It’s just a testament to these guys’ resiliency and just, even to hang on in those final moments, find a way to win.”

Near the entrance to the locker room, McLaughlin’s fellow Alabama transfer, quarterback Julian Sayin, had a black commemorative t-shirt stretched over his shoulder pads. The freshman, who signed with Alabama and participated in Rose Bowl practices after the 2023 season, then transferred to OSU after Saban retired, posed for pictures with his teammates.

Sayin didn’t play in the game, sitting behind Ohio State starter Will Howard. Still, he was thrilled by reaching the college football mountaintop, the first Buckeye title since the 2014 season.

“It’s pretty awesome,” Sayin told AL.com. “Proud of the guys. Will Howard had an amazing game. I was able to learn a lot from him this season, and was really excited to see him do so well.”

Toward the back of the room, still in his game uniform, eyeblack running down his face as his teammates interrupted interviews to celebrate, Caleb Downs sat in a folding chair. Of all the ex-Alabama players now at Ohio State, he’d had the most impact on the field Monday.

Downs finished with five total tackles, playing the game in his home state. Both he and fellow Buford, Ga. native McLaughlin said they were undefeated in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, dating back to high school.

“It’s a blessing,” Downs said. “I can’t even describe it. It’s an unreal feeling for me just to come back home. To see my home, my family here, grandparents. And then I saw two of my elementary school teachers here today, like, I can’t describe it.”