We’re nonetheless gearing up for the season and you might be almost certainly caught between queueing up final yr’s Rose Bowl victory over Utah on the DVR for the umpteenth time, studying rankings and listicles that embrace Ohio State, and craving for the beginning of the school soccer season.
Appears like an ideal time to proceed the collection we’ve embarked upon right here at Buckeyes Wire. We name it the “Face of the Place,” and it’s actually precisely because it sounds. Whenever you consider a place group at Ohio State, who do you consider? From quarterback to linebacker, to placekicker and past, OSU has among the most iconic and historic school soccer gamers which have taken their place among the many finest within the sport.
Nonetheless, one participant stands out above all else once you shroud them behind the colours of scarlet and grey, and that’s the place we’re going to ask on your help.
As we prepare for the beginning of the season, we’ll hold going by these till you establish a winner by vote.
We’ve already appeared on the quarterback place, operating backs, vast receivers, offensive linemen, tight ends, defensive tackles, and defensive ends. It’s now time to maneuver to the defensive facet of the ball and begin with an underrated defensive deal with place.
We’ll hold voting up for 3 days, and on the finish of it, we’ll reveal the winner of every. Ensure you scroll to the underside to forged your vote from the nominees in a Twitter ballot and be happy to put in writing in a candidate for those who consider one other participant.
Randy Gradishar (1971 to 1973)
Oct 1972; Columbus, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Randy Gradishar (53) in motion through the 1972 season. Credit score: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports activities
Woody Hayes referred to as him the perfect linebacker that he ever coached. The chief of the Buckeye protection within the early 70’s, Gradishar earned All-American honors in 1972 and 1973 – when he was a unanimous choice. He was particularly spectacular in his ultimate season in Columbus, recording 134 tackles, highlighted by a 23-tackle efficiency in a 27-3 win over Washington State. On account of his stellar play, he completed sixth within the Heisman Trophy voting, 4 spots behind OSU deal with John Hicks.
He was each bit as profitable within the NFL. Gradishar performed ten seasons within the league – all with the Denver Broncos – incomes a spot within the Professional-Bowl seven instances. He completed his profession with 2,049 tackles and 20 interceptions, whereas capturing NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors in 1978.
Chris Spielman (1985 to 1987)
What protection doesn’t want a man that may do all of it? A two-time All-American, Spielman positively falls into that class. Whereas he actually obtained the job completed in opposition to the run, Spielman additionally excelled in cross protection, selecting off 11 passes in his profession – together with six in 1986. The next yr, he received the Lombardi Trophy, which is awarded yearly to the perfect lineman/linebacker within the nation.
As nice as Spielman was at Ohio State, he’s higher identified for what he achieved as a member of the Detroit Lions. Throughout his profitable profession with the Lions, he made it to 4 Professional Bowls and guided the workforce to the playoffs 4 instances. He set the franchise file for tackles in a season (148 in 1997) and continues to be the workforce’s all-time main tackler.
James Laurinaitis (2005 to 2008)
The one Buckeye linebacker to perform the uncommon trifecta of being named an All-American thrice was James Laurinaitis.
That may shock some, however not everybody. In spite of everything, Laurinaitis received the Bronco Nagurski Award (finest defensive participant) in 2006, the Butkus Award (finest linebacker) in 2007, and the Lott Influence Trophy in 2008. As well as, he received the Huge Ten Defensive Participant of the 12 months award twice.
Though he wasn’t as profitable as he was within the school ranks, Laurinaitis had a stable professional profession. He performed eight years within the NFL, beginning 115 video games throughout that span. He recorded 100 or extra tackles in seven of his eight seasons and have become a captain for the Rams in 2012.
Andy Katzenmoyer (1996 to 1998)
The “Huge Kat” was an athletic freak with measurement and pace that might nonetheless play properly in right now’s sport. He made a direct affect as a freshman and ultimately received the Butkus Award and have become a consensus All-American in 1997. He was additionally named to the first-team All-Huge Ten squad every of his three years in Columbus.
He was so good, that Archie Griffin agreed to let him put on the “retired” No. 45 throughout his profession. Katzenmoyer was additionally named to OSU’s All-Century workforce.