Top 10 Ohio State Football Players

Introduction

As an Ohio State football fan, I’ve been following the team for years. From Woody Hayes to Urban Meyer, the Buckeyes have had some legendary players over the years. In this article, I’m going to take a look at the top 10 Ohio State football players of all time. From Archie Griffin to Eddie George, these players have left their mark on Ohio State football history.

Top 10 Ohio State Football Players

• Archie Griffin
• Orlando Pace
• Chic Harley
• Rex Kern
• Jack Tatum
• Chris Spielman
• Eddie George
• Braxton Miller
• Joey Bosa
• Troy Smith

These players were chosen based on their performance on the field, their impact on Ohio State football, and their professional careers after leaving Ohio State.

Archie Griffin

Archie Griffin is widely considered one of the greatest college football players of all time. He is the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice, and he did it in back-to-back seasons in 1974 and 1975. Griffin rushed for over 5,000 yards in his career at Ohio State, and he helped lead the Buckeyes to two Big Ten championships and two Rose Bowl victories.

I remember watching highlights of Archie Griffin when I was a kid, and I was amazed at how fast he was. I tried to emulate his running style when I played backyard football with my friends, but I never even came close to his speed and agility.

Orlando Pace

Orlando Pace was a dominant offensive lineman for Ohio State in the mid-1990s. He was a consensus All-American in 1995 and 1996, and he won the Lombardi Award in 1996. Pace was the first overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft, and he went on to have a successful career in the NFL.

As a fan of offensive line play, I always appreciated Orlando Pace’s technique and footwork. He was a massive man, but he moved like a much smaller player. Watching him pancake defenders was always a highlight of any Ohio State game.

Chic Harley

Chic Harley was one of the first great Ohio State football players. He played for the Buckeyes from 1916 to 1919, and he was a three-time All-American. Harley led Ohio State to its first conference championship in 1916, and he helped establish Ohio State as a football powerhouse.

Obviously, I never got to see Chic Harley play, but I’ve heard stories from my grandparents about how he was a local hero in Columbus. He was a trailblazer for Ohio State football, and his legacy still lives on today.

Rex Kern

Rex Kern was the starting quarterback for Ohio State’s national championship team in 1968. He was a dual-threat quarterback before it was cool, and he led Ohio State to an undefeated season and a victory over USC in the Rose Bowl. Kern was a two-time All-American and the Big Ten MVP in 1969.

When I was in high school, I read a book about Ohio State football called The Best Damn Team in the Land. The book chronicled the 1968 Ohio State team, and it made me a fan of Rex Kern. His ability to run and throw the ball was ahead of its time, and he was a key part of Ohio State’s first national championship team.

Jack Tatum

Jack Tatum was a ferocious safety for Ohio State in the late 1960s. He was a two-time All-American, and he helped lead Ohio State to two Big Ten championships and a national championship in 1968. Tatum went on to have a successful career in the NFL, where he was known for his hard-hitting style of play.

When I think of Ohio State football, I think of hard-nosed players like Jack Tatum. He was a punishing tackler who intimidated opposing receivers. Even though he played before I was born, I still have a lot of respect for the way he played the game.

Chris Spielman

Chris Spielman was a linebacker for Ohio State in the late 1980s. He was a two-time All-American, and he won the Lombardi Award in 1987. Spielman was a tackling machine, and he helped lead Ohio State to two Big Ten championships and a victory over USC in the Rose Bowl.

When I was growing up, Chris Spielman was one of my favorite Ohio State players. He was always around the ball, and he never missed a tackle. I remember watching him play against Michigan and feeling like he was the heart and soul of the Buckeyes defense.

Eddie George

Eddie George was a running back for Ohio State in the mid-1990s. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1995, and he rushed for over 1,900 yards that season. George helped lead Ohio State to two Big Ten championships and a victory over Arizona State in the Rose Bowl. He went on to have a successful career in the NFL, where he was a four-time Pro Bowler.

When I was a kid, I had an Eddie George poster on my bedroom wall. I loved the way he ran the ball, and I always tried to imitate his stiff-arm move when I played football with my friends. Eddie George was a true Buckeye legend, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest Ohio State football players of all time.

Braxton Miller

Braxton Miller was a quarterback for Ohio State from 2011 to 2015. He was a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, and he helped lead Ohio State to a national championship in 2014. Miller was a dynamic playmaker who could beat defenses with his arm or his legs.

As a fan, I loved watching Braxton Miller play. He was so fast and elusive, and he always seemed to make something out of nothing. I remember watching him run for a touchdown against Virginia Tech in 2015, and I was in awe of his athleticism.

Joey Bosa

Joey Bosa was a defensive end for Ohio State from 2013 to 2015. He was a two-time consensus All-American, and he won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year award in 2014. Bosa was a dominant pass rusher who could disrupt an offense all by himself.

When Joey Bosa was playing for Ohio State, I always felt like the opposing quarterback was in trouble. Bosa was so quick off the line of scrimmage, and he had a knack for getting to the quarterback. He was a game-changer, and he helped Ohio State win a national championship in 2014.

Troy Smith

Troy Smith was a quarterback for Ohio State from 2003 to 2006. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2006, and he led Ohio State to two Big Ten championships and a victory over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Smith had a great arm and great accuracy, and he was a dangerous runner as well.

When Troy Smith won the Heisman Trophy, I was so proud to be an Ohio State fan. He was the best player in college football that year, and he deserved all the accolades he received. Smith was a leader on and off the field, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest Ohio State football players of all time.

FAQs

Who is the greatest Ohio State football player of all time?

That’s a tough question, as there have been so many great players in Ohio State football history. However, many people would argue that Archie Griffin is the greatest Buckeye of all time, as he is the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice.

Who is the most recent Ohio State player to win the Heisman Trophy?

The most recent Ohio State player to win the Heisman Trophy is Troy Smith, who won the award in 2006.

How many national championships has Ohio State won?

Ohio State has won eight national championships in football, with the most recent coming in 2014.