Offensive linemen Connor McLaughlin and Thomas Shrader grew up in the Tampa Bay area, but left to pursue their college-football dreams. Now they have returned with the USF Bulls, successfully plugging into starting spots on an offensive unit that's off to a record-setting pace. 

Homecoming?

It will be a celebratory mood for everyone Saturday night when the No. 19-ranked Bulls (5-1, 2-0 American Conference) host the Florida Atlantic Owls (3-3, 2-1) at Raymond James Stadium. But the Homecoming tradition has special meaning this season for McLaughlin and Shrader. 

"I've enjoyed being here so much, being close to family and being part of a great team like this,'' said Shrader (6-foot-5, 305 pounds), the left guard, the former Venice High School standout who played at Florida State and Appalachian State before joining the Bulls for his final college season. "It's the best possible decision I could've made.'' 

"Coming home was pretty important to me,'' said McLaughlin (6-7, 295), the right tackle, who played five seasons (with a redshirt) at Stanford University before returning to play his bonus COVID year at a stadium just down the street from his Jesuit High School campus. "After five years at Stanford, I think my parents were just about out of (airline) miles. I have a ton of support, so that's very reassuring. I've got a lot of people here that I know I can count on.''

Without question, the Bulls have been able to count on Shrader and McLaughlin.

"Those guys are like the calm through the storm,'' offensive line coach Tyler Hudanick said. "They've been there before and they act like they've been there before. Even more, they promote their teammates to act that way and they encourage a veteran presence for our group. 

"I think both of them have been through the good, the bad and the ugly. They know it's about consistency and bringing it every day. No matter what, you've got to stay together. Even as guys walking through the door here for the first time, they had a strong instant connection and they fit right in with everything we're looking to accomplish.''

Shrader and McLaughlin have had two different football experiences.

At FSU, playing time was sparse for Shrader, although he struck up a fast friendship with Zane Herring, whose presence was another reason why USF became a great choice. From 2020-23, Shrader appeared in 16 Seminole games over four seasons (with one start). Eleven of those appearances occurred in 2023, when the Seminoles rolled to an ACC title and a 13-0 record before being bypassed for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

"That whole thing taught me that life isn't fair,'' Shrader said. "We were in the room, still pretty shocked, and Coach (Mike) Norvell told the ESPN cameras to leave. He told us, 'Ya'll put yourselves in the best possible position. You did everything you could. But good things didn't happen. And guys, that's what life gives you sometimes. It's how you respond that really counts.' So, I learned a valuable lesson.''

Shrader, looking for more playing time, entered the transfer portal and chose Appalachian State, where he started all 11 games. But the Mountaineers stumbled to a 5-6 finish and head coach Shawn Clark was fired (Clark resurfaced this season as offensive-line coach at UCF, but died unexpectedly on Sept. 21 after experiencing a medical emergency).

"Appalachian State was gorgeous with such a great climate, but the reason I went there was the coaching staff,'' Shrader said. "So, I felt I needed a better situation for myself. USF was the first to call. It was coming back home, so it was an easy decision. And coming here has been absolutely great." 

The feeling is mutual.

"By no means is Thomas an overly emotional guy, but he has an inner fire and a desire to dominate,'' offensive coordinator Joel Gordon said. "He's the same guy every day. He looks you in the eye and he tells you the truth. He's completely comfortable in his skin. He has been banged up, but he keeps showing up. It's never about him. It's always about the team. He has been a great addition to our offensive line.''

And the same can be said for McLaughlin, whose height and long arms make him into a frustrating obstacle for edge pass-rushers.

"I give a ton of credit to Connor for being a sixth-year guy who has played a lot of snaps, but continues to play with such fire and determination,'' Hudanick said. "He plays hard. He's not out there on coast mode, thinking he's coming home to ride into the sunset. This guy goes to work every day. He asks really good questions. He provides a lot of veteran leadership to our room. He has been there, done that and that experience means a lot.''

McLaughlin tried to impart that experience during training camp when he was part of a veteran group that addressed the entire team. As a former Stanford guy who takes a cerebral approach, McLaughlin's presentation was … different.

When asked about his hero or someone he really admired, McLaughlin spoke about Teddy Roosevelt.

Why is he still playing football?

Again, the answer was thoughtful.

"I've graduated, I have my degree, I've played five seasons (in college) and a lot of years before that … so why?'' McLaughlin said. "All through camp, you had meeting, you're practicing, you're lifting (weights), a lot of the same thing. A grind. But I enjoy the grind. I like the camaraderie.

"The other thing, if I really had to pinpoint it, is you're never going to master football. And I love that. I've always been very passionate about hobbies or obsessions. When I was a kid, it was construction, then reptiles, then fishing. But football was something where you can learn something every day. That and the camaraderie with the guys, those are the things that keep me coming back.''

Shrader and McLaughlin, roommates, have found a home with the Bulls.

"They understand the football, but they also understand the expectations of everything else — lifting, eating, training, going to school, all of it,'' Gordon said. "They're older guys, mature guys. You don't worry about them missing something, being late or not understanding. They came in and haven't missed a beat. And all of the younger guys can learn from their great example. All of that goes a long way.''

–#GoBulls–