Parkland Marjory Stoneman Douglas Top247 offensive tackle Michael McLaughlin is one of the more unique prospects in this class of Miami Hurricanes. The Indiana native, who also starred on the hardwood, moved down to South Florida after his sophomore season and played mostly tight end before recognizing that his future was protecting the quarterback.

That’s because he grew to 6-foot-7 inches and weighed upwards of 250 pounds. With that size, McLaughlin was thought of as more of a project type of prospect with room to fill out. The Hurricanes were the first to offer the lineman back in the summer of 2019 and eventually picked up his commitment on the first day of spring practice while McLaughlin was on an unofficial visit. 

In the months leading up to his senior year, the lineman gained a bunch of healthy weight and is now up to 290-pounds as he prepares to arrive early at Miami.

McLaughlin is one of three players on the offensive line from South Florida that the Hurricanes have committed in this 2021 class. Garin Justice said earlier this year that finding players at the position locally is going to be the first priority and that held true in his first recruiting cycle at UM.

McLaughlin also held offers from Florida State, Virginia Tech, Louisville, UCF, West Virginia, Ole Miss and Pittsburgh. He is considered the No. 242 overall player and No. 29 offensive tackle in the nation, according to 247Sports.

Wednesday is the first day that prospects can officially sign with their respective school. The window for recruits to pen their name runs through Friday December 18th. If a prospect doesn’t sign their National Letter of Intent over this three day window, they will need to wait for the traditional Signing Day, which lands on February 3rd, 2021.

Stay locked in to InsideTheU for more Early Signing Day news.