It’s the doldrums of just about summer time and you might be almost definitely caught between queueing up final 12 months’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 kick off a sequence we’re embarking upon right here at Buckeyes Wire. We name it the “face of the place” and it’s actually precisely because it sounds. While you consider a place group at Ohio State, who do you consider? From quarterback to linebacker, to placekicker and past, OSU has a few of the most iconic and historic faculty soccer gamers which have taken their place among the many greatest within the recreation.
Nonetheless, one participant stands out above all else if you shroud them behind the colours of scarlet and grey, and that’s the place we’re going to ask in your help.
Over the subsequent few weeks, we’ll be highlighting gamers which might be within the operating for the face of a place at Ohio State and asking in your vote in a Twitter ballot to have one participant recognized because the one you suppose instantly at that place.
We’ve already regarded on the quarterback place, operating backs, and huge receivers. We’ll keep on the offensive facet of the ball and check out the offensive line as a gaggle. It’s a place that’s in all probability a bit of underrated in OSU historical past with some all-time nice ones that went on to turn out to be a power within the NFL as effectively.
We’ll preserve voting up for 5 days, and on the finish of it, we’ll reveal the winner of every. Ensure you scroll to the underside to solid your vote from the nominees and write in a candidate for those who consider one other participant.
Korey Stringer (1992-1994)
Obligatory Credit score: US PRESSWIRE
The Rationale
An anchor at offensive deal with, Stringer opened up enormous holes for a variety of nice Buckeye operating backs, together with Eddie George, Raymont Harris, and Robert Smith.
A 3-year starter at deal with for the Buckeyes, Stringer was a consensus All-American in 1994. The Minnesota Vikings chosen him within the first spherical of the 1995 NFL Draft with the twenty fourth total decide. He began 91 video games for the Vikings and earned a spot within the Professional Bowl in 2000.
Sadly, he handed away the next 12 months on the age of 27. He was gone far too quickly however left an impression as a participant and individual.
Orlando Tempo (1994-1996)
The Rationale
Pancake.
That one phrase is the easiest way to sum up Orlando Tempo’s storied profession at Ohio State. He didn’t simply open up operating lanes, he knocked opposing defenders on their backsides. In actual fact, he was so dominant that he earned unanimous All-American honors in 1995 and 1996. He made a run on the Heisman in ’96 as an offensive lineman.
Tempo was each bit as profitable within the NFL, beginning 165 video games with seven Professional Bowl appearances. He was elected to the School Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2013 and enshrined within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2016.
If these credentials don’t scream out “Biggest offensive lineman at school historical past”, I don’t know what does! However is he the face of the place in OSU historical past? You may assist to resolve that.
Jim Parker (1953-1956)
The Rationale
For these of you too younger to recollect, Parker was probably the greatest collegiate offensive linemen to ever play the sport, and he did it for a run-heavy Woody Hayes offense.
Hayes would go on to name him “the best offensive lineman I ever coached.”
And it’s in all probability true. Parker was a three-year starter and two-time All-American at Ohio State, equally adept at run and move blocking at an elite degree. He took residence the Outland Trophy in 1956 for school soccer’s greatest inside lineman, the primary in this system’s historical past to take action.
Parker will not be solely inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Corridor of Fame but in addition enshrined within the School and Professional Soccer Corridor of Fames after a distinguished profession with the Baltimore Colts.
John Hicks (1969-1972)
The Rationale
Maybe it shouldn’t be a shock that two of “Woody’s boys” could be two of the best offensive linemen in program historical past. Hicks was a fiery warrior that excelled from the time he set foot on campus. Freshmen have been ineligible to play throughout his time, however as soon as he received on the sector he dominated.
Hicks helped jump-start the profession of two-time Heisman winner Archie Griffin and pulled off a double by profitable the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Award in 1972. Miraculously, he completed second within the Heisman voting that very same season.
He was elected to the School Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2001 and was a consensus two-time All-American at Ohio State. Many will bear in mind newer offensive lineman, however he can’t be forgotten.
Twitter Ballot – VOTE!
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