A linebacker at BC, Mike McLaughlin is trying to make the jump to the NFL as a long snapper.

INDIANAPOLIS — Whatever it takes.

It’s the philosophy that Boston College linebacker Mike McLaughlin is taking at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine. The Woburn native made his bones as a linebacker with the Eagles, but believes his best chance to reach the next level might be on special teams — specifically as a long snapper.

“I long-snapped. I actually did it at the East-West Shrine Game, as a short and long snapper,” said McLaughlin, who was twice named a defensive captain while at Boston College. “I just think to me right now, I consider myself a special teams guy first and then a linebacker. Of course, I play linebacker — I’ve got the LB on my shirt. But I think I can come in and make an impact on any special teams.”

The 6-foot-2, 247-pound McLaughlin wants to make sure he gets a few snaps in on Monday before leaving the combine, and will make sure he does the same at BC’s Pro Day on March 11.  Some draft analysts believe McLaughlin is making the right choice.

“McLaughlin, I think, is a draftable inside linebacker that will be one of the better special teams players in the league,” said NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock. “You look at his bloodlines, his father played in the USFL, was a tough guy. His uncle Joe played with me on the New York Giants. You want to talk about a tough guy — just one of the toughest players I ever met who was limited physically, Michael McLaughlin has some more tools than they did, and he’s just as tough.”

McLaughlin certainly has the pedigree to succeed at the next level. His father (Mike McLaughlin) and uncle (Joe McLaughlin) both started their football careers at UMass before going to play professionally; his Dad was a member of the USFL’s Boston Breakers for five years, while his uncle played with Green Bay and the New York Giants.

Perhaps the only question about McLaughlin that remains is his injury history. He ruptured his Achilles last year, and missed the first three games of Boston College’s 2009 schedule.

“I missed the first three games of the year and kind of progressively got better as the year went on, but through the first few games when I came back, I certainly wasn’t … you know, I didn’t look like the player I was on tape in ’08,” he said. “So I think if I could move around well, run around and show them I’m as explosive as I’ve ever been, I think that’ll answer some questions as far as me physically and the injury.”

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