Gridiron Greats: The Most Notable Football Alumni from Ohio State University

Ohio State University has a rich and storied football program, producing some of the most talented and impactful players in the history of the sport. From legendary running backs to dominant defensive players, the Buckeyes have consistently churned out athletes who have excelled at both the collegiate and professional levels. This article will delve into the careers of some of the most notable football alumni from Ohio State, highlighting their accomplishments and contributions to the game.

Archie Griffin: The Two-Time Heisman Winner

No conversation about famous Ohio State football players starts without Archie Griffin. Leading the Big Ten in rushing yards in each of his final three seasons (1973-75) and yards per carry in both 1973 and 1974, Griffin is first in Ohio State history with 5,177 career rushing yards and 20th with 25 rushing touchdowns. After finishing fifth in Heisman voting in 1973, Griffin claimed college football's most prestigious individual honor in both 1974 and 1975. Griffin, a two-time All-American, remains the only player to win two Heisman trophies. He then played seven seasons for the Cincinnati Bengals, with whom Griffin appeared in Super Bowl XVI.

Eddie George: A Heisman Trophy Winner and NFL Star

George had a breakout senior year, rushing for 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns to win the 1995 Heisman Trophy. He is one of the best running backs in college football history. In his final season at Ohio State (1995), he led the Big Ten with 1,826 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns, helping him earn Heisman honors. Across his last two years in Columbus (1994-95), George rushed for 1,590 yards and 18 touchdowns per season on 5.6 yards per carry. When he graduated, George was second in Ohio State history with 3,578 career rushing yards and third with 43 career rushing touchdowns. He went on to be a four-time Pro Bowler and rush for 1,000-plus yards in seven of his nine seasons in the NFL.

Orlando Pace: An Offensive Line Legend

A dominant force on the offensive line, Pace won back-to-back Lombardi Awards and was the 1996 Outland Trophy winner. He didn’t allow a single sack in his final two seasons at OSU. Pace racked up award after award with the Buckeyes. A two-time All-American, the 6-foot-7 Pace was the 1996 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, a two-time Vince Lombardi Award winner (1995 and 1996) and the 1996 John Outland Trophy winner. He started every game for the Buckeyes from 1994-96 and gave up zero sacks from 1995-96. Pace, who was a finalist for the 1996 Heisman Trophy Award, was the first pick in the 1997 NFL Draft and lived up to the hype, becoming a seven-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer.

Cris Carter: A Record-Breaking Receiver

Carter was the first Buckeye receiver to earn All-American honors and graduated with 150 receptions. He was sensational for the Buckeyes. He led the Big Ten in receptions (65), receiving yards (1,066) and receiving touchdowns (11) in 1986, one season after leading the conference with eight receiving touchdowns. When he graduated, Carter was first in program history with 150 career receptions and 26 career touchdowns. Carter went on to become one of the best receivers in NFL history, racking up 1,101 career receptions (sixth in NFL history) for 13,899 yards (13th) and 130 touchdowns (fourth).

Jack Tatum: "The Assassin"

Known as “The Assassin,” Tatum was a feared safety and helped lead Ohio State to the 1968 national championship. Tatum began his Ohio State career as a running back before being moved to safety prior to his freshman season. An eventual two-time All-American, Tatum won National Defensive Player of the Year honors in his senior season, which saw the Buckeyes claim a national title stake two years after winning it outright. In 10 NFL seasons, Tatum racked up 37 interceptions, including seven in his final season (1980), and was a three-time Pro Bowler.

Troy Smith: A Dynamic Quarterback

Smith won the 2006 Heisman Trophy and led Ohio State to a national championship appearance that same season. Troy Smith, Ohio State’s 2006 Heisman Trophy winner, earns his top-10 status with his dynamic play and clutch performances. The unanimous All-American and Big Ten MVP went 25-3 as a starter, including 3-0 against Michigan, and led an undefeated 2006 regular season. With 5,728 passing yards, 54 touchdowns, and a Fiesta Bowl win, Smith’s electrifying style under Jim Tressel cemented his legacy as one of seven Buckeye Heisman winners.

Ezekiel Elliott: A National Champion and Rushing Powerhouse

Elliott was the engine of Ohio State's 2014 national title run, rushing for 246 yards and four touchdowns in the championship game. Ekeziel Elliott spent three seasons with Ohio State before leaving for the NFL, and he made them count. While he rushed for just 262 yards on 30 attempts in seven games his freshman season, as a sophomore, he was a monster out of the backfield. Elliott played in 15 games, amassing 1,878 yards on the ground and another 220 in the air while finishing with 18 touchdowns. Ohio State won the national championship after a season going undefeated against fellow Big Ten teams, and took down current Big Ten Oregon in the title game. Elliott rushed for over 200 yards in each of the Conference Championship game against Wisconsin, the CFP Semifinal against Alabama and against Oregon in the Final, for a total of 696 yards. And then, in 2015 in two fewer games, he led the conference with 1,821 rushing yards and 23 TDs.

Joey Bosa: A Dominant Defensive Lineman

Bosa was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 and helped Ohio State win the national title.

A.J. Hawk: A Two-Time All-American Linebacker

Hawk led the Buckeyes to a national title as a freshman and developed into a two-time All-American. A.J. Hawk led the Buckeyes to a national title as a freshman and developed into a two-time All-American.

Read also: Alumni Football Ticket Information

Chic Harley: Ohio State's First Football Star

Harley was Ohio State’s first football star, scoring 201 points in 24 games and leading the team to its first win over Michigan.

Mike Vrabel: A Sack Machine

Vrabel holds the school record with 36 career sacks and was twice named Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. Michael George Vrabel is an American football coach and former linebacker who is the head coach of the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State, where he was a consensus All-American. Vrabel then played in the NFL for 14 seasons, primarily as a member of the Patriots, where he became a three-time Super Bowl champion and a First-team All-Pro during his eight-year tenure. Noted for his versatility, Vrabel scored a receiving touchdown in consecutive Super Bowls, Super Bowl XXXVIII and Super Bowl XXXIX, becoming the only primarily defensive player to score in two Super Bowls.

Malcolm Jenkins: A Jim Thorpe Award Winner

Jenkins won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2008 and earned All-American honors.

Chris Spielman: A Tackling Machine

Spielman is third all-time in tackles at Ohio State and a former Lombardi Award winner. Spielman, a two-time All-American, graduated from Ohio State as the school's all-time leader in solo tackles (283). He also finished with 546 combined tackles - leading the Buckeyes in said category in two seasons - 11 interceptions and eight sacks. Spielman, a three-time first-team All-Big Ten defender, went on to be a four-time Pro Bowler who logged 100-plus combined tackles in nine of his 10 NFL seasons and became the Detroit Lions' all-time leader in solo tackles (1,020).

James Laurinaitis: An Award-Winning Linebacker

A three-time All-American, Laurinaitis recorded 375 tackles and won the Butkus and Nagurski Awards.

Read also: A Legacy of Fresno State Football

Ted Ginn Jr.: An Electric Returner and Receiver

Ginn was a dynamic returner and receiver. His speed and explosiveness made him one of the most electric players in school history.

Other Notable Alumni

Beyond these top players, Ohio State has produced a multitude of other talented football alumni who have made their mark on the game. These include:

Paul Warfield: A halfback for the Buckeyes in 1961 and 1962, and a tight end in 1963.
Les Horvath: A halfback in 1940, 1941 and 1942, and a quarterback in his Heisman Trophy winning season of 1944.
J.T. Barrett: J.T. Barrett ranks among Ohio State’s top 10 greatest players due to his record-breaking stats and leadership. As the first three-time captain, he set 39 school and Big Ten records, including 10,436 passing yards, 104 passing touchdowns, and 147 total touchdowns, with a program-record 38 wins as a starting quarterback. He led Ohio State to the 2014 national championship, Big Ten titles in 2014 and 2017, and a 3-1 record against Michigan, showcasing dual-threat brilliance under Urban Meyer.
Randy Gradishar: In the eyes of Ohio State coaching legend Woody Hayes, Gradishar was hands down the "best linebacker" he ever coached. A two-time All-American, Gradishar finished his collegiate career with 320 combined tackles and was sixth in the 1973 Heisman Trophy voting, with two of his teammates - offensive lineman John Hicks and running back Archie Griffin - finishing ahead of him. Gradishar went on to be a seven-time Pro Bowler in the NFL and make the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Bill Willis
Jim Parker
C.J. Stroud: Coleridge Bernard "C. J." Stroud IV is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he holds several school records, including most passing yards in a single game with 573, as well as being the first player to throw for six touchdowns three times. Stroud was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2021 and 2022, and was subsequently selected by the Houston Texans second overall in the 2023 NFL draft. In his rookie season, he led the Texans to a division title and playoff victory en route to winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.
Justin Fields: Justin Skyler Fields is an American professional football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Following a stint with the Georgia Bulldogs, he played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he was twice named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and appeared in the 2021 National Championship Game.
Dwayne Haskins: Dwayne Haskins Jr. was an American football quarterback. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for three seasons and played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, setting Big Ten Conference records for single-season passing yards and passing touchdowns as a sophomore. His success in college football earned him the Sammy Baugh Trophy and Kellen Moore Award, along with several conference honors.
Matt Snell

Ohio State University Alumni Beyond Football

Ohio State University boasts a diverse and accomplished alumni network that extends far beyond the football field. Graduates have made significant contributions in various fields, including:

Arts and Entertainment:
- J. K. Simmons: An acclaimed actor with an Academy Award, Golden Globe, and British Academy Film Award for his role in "Whiplash."
- Tyler Joseph: The frontman of the Grammy Award-winning musical duo Twenty One Pilots.
- R. L. Stine: The author of the best-selling "Goosebumps" horror fiction series.
- Dwight Yoakam: A successful country singer-songwriter, actor, and filmmaker.
- Richard Lewis: A stand-up comedian, actor, and writer known for his role in "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
- Roy Lichtenstein: A prominent pop artist known for his comic book-style paintings.
- Wendie Malick: An actress known for her roles in television comedies like "Dream On" and "Just Shoot Me!"
- David Graf: An actor best known for his role as Sgt. Eugene Tackleberry in the "Police Academy" film series.
- Melina Kanakaredes: A Greek-American actress known for her roles in "Providence" and "CSI: NY."
- Jean Peters: A film actress known for her roles in 20th Century Fox films.
- Kim Deal: A musician and frontwoman of the band the Breeders, and former bassist of the Pixies.
- Harlan Ellison: An American writer, known for his prolific and influential work in New Wave speculative fiction.
Politics and Public Service:
- JD Vance: An American politician, author, attorney, and Marine Corps veteran currently serving as the 50th vice president of the United States.
- John Kasich: A politician, television presenter, and writer who served as the 69th Governor of Ohio.
- Jayaprakash Narayan: An Indian politician, theorist, and independence activist.
- Curtis LeMay: A US Air Force general who implemented an effective but controversial strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific theater of World War II.
Sports:
- Jesse Owens: A track and field athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games.
- D'Angelo Russell: A professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets.
- Greg Oden: A former professional basketball player.
- Bob Knight: A college basketball coach.
- Jack Nicklaus: A retired professional golfer and golf course designer.
Other:
- Urban Meyer: A sportscaster and former college football coach.
- Kirk Herbstreit: A sportscaster and former college football player.
- Kevin Randleman: An American mixed martial artist, amateur and professional wrestler, and former UFC Heavyweight Champion.

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