When will first offer find Magnolia RB

After rushing for 2,400 yards and 30 touchdowns the last two seasons and leading his team to a Class 5A championship as a junior, Waynesboro (Miss.) Wayne County running back Michael McLaughlin thought he’d be receiving more recruiting interest at this point.

Part of the problem, however, has been out of his control.

“We moved this summer and changed our number, so I don’t think the schools have my new number right now,” he said. “No one has called yet, so that’s the only thing I can think of. USM called the school and talked to my coach, so I know they’re still interested. And I’m getting mail from Mississippi State, Ole Miss, USM, Alabama, Auburn and a few others.”

McLaughlin (6-2, 208, 4.46) said he’s not making a list of favorites until he sees which schools are genuinely interested.

“I don’t have one certain school I’m focused on,” he said. “I’m real open-minded, looking in every direction right now.”

He hasn’t set any visits thus far, but noted he’ll be taking a few with teammate and three-star linebacker Steve Gandy. “We’re real close friends. We’d like to go to the same school if we could.”

Through three games this season, McLaughlin has rushed for more than 300 yards and three touchdowns. As a junior, he had 1,280 yards and 14 scores as Wayne County won the 5A title. They’re competing for the 4A crown this season.

Academically, McLaughlin maintains a 3.5 GPA and has a qualifying score of 17 on the ACT already.