Last year, Dwayne Haskins and Terry McLaurin helped lead Ohio State to a 13-1 record and a Big Ten championship.
Now they’re teaming up again on the Washington Redskins. But when it was suggested to coach Jay Gruden that McLaurin might benefit from being paired with Haskins, he suggested Haskins would be the one who would be helped.
“I think it’s important for Dwayne to have Terry here,” Gruden said. “Terry’s awesome, he’s been great. He knows all the spots already. Very detailed at what he does, very explosive and [he has] good hands.”
McLaurin was one of the standout performers at the Redskins’ training camp, which wrapped up with an extended, high-intensity practice on Sunday morning. The team returns to Redskins Park in Ashburn to prepare for the final preseason games and the regular season.
While Haskins is considered unlikely to claim a starting spot to open the season, McLaurin has been turning heads, and the two have made some big plays when teamed up.
“I think it’s beneficial for the both of us. Just a familiar face when we are in together,” McLaurin said. “Having that chemistry already built is so important with a quarterback and receiver. We’re learning a new offense, but the chemistry is still there.”
As a senior for the Buckeyes, McLaurin caught 35 passes for 701 yards and accounted for 11 of Haskins’ 50 touchdowns.
“I know where he’s going to put the ball, he knows how I’m going to come out of my routes,” McLaurin said.
A two-year captain at Ohio State and leader in the locker room for the Buckeyes, McLaurin brings his leadership to a young Redskins team.
McLaurin, who was drafted in the third round, is focused on getting better and adjusting to the speed of the pro level.
“I think I’m adjusting to [the speed of the NFL] pretty well. I feel like a really big advantage is having that springtime to adjust [in] OTAs and minicamp. I really got adjusted to the speed then, it was kind of fast, but everything has slowed down for me so far.”
McLaurin is in a wide receiver competition that is relatively open.
“It’s a competitive room; everyone is looking to contribute and play a lot this year,” he said. “That’s what breeds excellence is competition.”
During offseason practice, he has matched up with defensive backs on the roster, including veterans Josh Norman and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. He talks to the veterans about his play with the hope to better his game off their observations.
“I’m constantly asking them what [they see] out of my routes,” McLaurin said. “What I can do to get better? So, I’m always looking for that feedback.”
McLaurin has turned heads at camp. “He’s’ very smart and very fast and very physical,” Gruden said. “He’s been outstanding so far.”
Jackson Didlake 