Bulls go BIG in transfer portal, adding two offensive linemen with considerable size

USF went for the jumbo package with the Bulls' two most recent transfer portal additions.

Mike Singer of On3.com reported that Stanford University offensive lineman Connor McLaughlin and Appalachian State offensive lineman Thomas Shrader are committed to USF for the 2025 season.

McLaughlin played at Tampa’s Jesuit High School while Shrader played for perennial Florida state power Venice High.

Shrader, who also spent two seasons at Florida State, is 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds. McLaughlin is 6-7, 295.

In 2023, Pro Football Focus graded McLaughlin as Stanford’s best run-blocking lineman. This season, he started the first game of the season at right tackle against TCU, but had only two starts after that. He did participate in all of Cardinal’s games. He has consistently graded out higher as a run blocker than a pass protector.

Shrader started all of App State’s games at right tackle. PFF College reported that he allowed only two sacks – both in the same game against Marshall – and 24 quarterback hurries in 783 snaps.

Both players have one year of eligibility remaining.

Shrader chose FSU over 10 other schools, including USF, after graduating from Venice. McLaughlin was also heavily recruited after graduating from Jesuit in 2019. He chose Stanford over the likes of FSU, Army, Harvard, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, and USC among others.

He was a three-time Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll selection.