2025 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Sean McLaughlin, DL, Northwestern University

Get to know Sean McLaughlin, a top defensive lineman prospect for the 2025 NFL Draft. Discover his exceptional length, powerful lower body, and versatility on the field.

Name: Sean McLaughlin

Position: Defensive Lineman

College: Northwestern University

Height: 6’6’

Weight: 280

Instagram: seanmclaughlin80

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2025 NFL Draft? 

I have exceptional length and a powerful lower body that gives me great leverage to defeat blocks against offensive linemen and Tight ends in the run game and be disruptive in the passing game. I also have played a lot of football, and I am a very experienced player with a high football IQ.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I am a versatile player. I possess the frame and the intangibles to play anywhere in the trenches. I am willing to move around and fill an organization’s needs. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

I would donate to the American Cancer Society. Cancer has long been an issue that has afflicted my family, preventing my grandfather from watching me play for his alma mater. It also has taken the lives of my family members and close friends – some of which are still battling. Every day millions of families go through tragedies at the hands of cancer, and it is something that I never want to experience again. 

Who was your role model? 

My role model growing up was my dad. He wasn’t much of a talker; he was quieter, much like me. He was always on the move, giving my brother and me everything we could want. I took this for granted when I was younger, but he is the man I aspire to be. His actions have taught me some unbelievable lessons.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

The Chicago Bears are my favorite team. I grew up watching them every Sunday with my family. I am a Chicago sports fan at heart, despite being rough to root for at times. I would be fulfilling a lifelong dream to play for the hometown team. I know that my family would be ecstatic as well.

Who is the most underrated teammate at your school? 

Aidan Hubbard is someone who springs to mind. He receives a lot of recognition in our position room, but it isn’t as widespread as it should be. He has proven to be a very productive player and one of my closest teammates. I love that guy to death. He is extremely hardworking and incredibly humble. He deserves national recognition for the kind of player he is. I can’t wait to see him grow into a force this fall. I am so proud to be close to him, and I know he is destined for great things. 

What’s your biggest pet peeve? 

Being fake. I despise people who beat around the bush and who aren’t themselves. I value authenticity and honesty.

Who is your favorite teacher ever?

My favorite teacher ever was Ms. Marshall. I never had her as a teacher, as she taught special education during my junior high days. I developed a strong relationship with her through the National Junior Honor Society, which she ran. She was an inspiration for me, always supporting me in my endeavors, and she sacrificed a lot to teach those kids. It indirectly taught me many life lessons that I still carry with me today. She never appeared to have bad days and always had a positive attitude in life, and it was so admirable. She was just one of those people that everyone looked to at all moments. I keep in touch with her to this day too.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

The hardest moment in my life that I’ve had to overcome was in the middle of my sophomore year when I had a life crisis during the football season. I was pre-med up until the winter of my sophomore year, and I had been a rotational player up until that point. Going into spring ball, I had high hopes to earn the starting role. I spent long sleepless nights studying organic chemistry while trying to watch films, study my opponent, and become a better football player. I had my exit meeting after year 2, and my defensive line coach said that I wasn’t heading in the direction that he liked. So, I had to decide what to do. I ended up quitting my pre-med courses to focus on football. It all worked out, then I tore my labrum in my shoulder my first year while starting. Safe to say, that my college career was an uphill battle constantly. I never had a moment that was at ease. It 100% made me a better player and a tougher one, to say the least. If you could have any franchise restaurant in your house, what would it be?

Sweetgreen is one of those places that I have loved recently. It has a lot of different options and is extremely healthy for me. I care about what I put into my body, and I think this is a great option to have on hand. I wanted to say a Panda Express would be good, but Sweetgreen has more options. I also can’t get that kind of food and stay lean as much as I would like to eat unhealthy. However, if I still had to pay for Sweetgreen, I would have to reconsider my choices. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

Ice cream or salt and vinegar chips (not at the same time) What is your degree in? 

Neuroscience with an Allied Field of Human Behavior and Cognition

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

I would want to have dinner with Jesus Christ, Joe Rogan, and Phil Knight. The reasons that I want to talk with these people are all separate. I want to talk to Jesus Christ because I am a man of faith and I want to learn more about my faith, its history, and what I need to do to be a better human being. I want to have dinner with Joe Rogan because he is such an interesting human and has a lot of perspective with talking with so many people so I just want to learn all I can. Finally, I want to talk to Phil Knight to learn about how I can grow my money, and I want to learn how to start a business because maybe down the line I can start one. 

What is your biggest weakness? 

My biggest weakness is that I am too nice. I try to be kind to every single person, and sometimes, it makes me put myself last. I need to be sure to remember to prioritize myself in certain areas of my life.

NFL Draft Diamonds was created to assist the underdogs playing the sport. We call them diamonds in the rough. My name is Damond Talbot, I have worked extremely hard to help hundreds of small school players over the past several years, and will continue my mission. We have several contributors on this site, and if they contribute their name and contact will be in the piece above. You can email me at [email protected]