Unforgettable digits: The best Ohio State player to wear each uniform number

June 05, 2024

Ohio State claims eight national championships and has had seven Heisman Trophy winners, but those numbers don’t come close to quantifying the amount of greatness the program has had in its more than 130 years of history. That’s why trying to come up with the best player in program history to wear each number involved looking through black-and-white pictures, old media guides and hundreds of Ohio State records.

Naming the greatest of the great isn’t an easy task, not a place like Ohio State.

Comparing players across different eras is difficult, but we did our best to balance recency bias with respecting the greats who played long before most of us were born. There was a lot to consider: All-Americans, national championships and just the straight-up legend of individual players, but we did our best to outline the greatest Buckeyes to wear each jersey number.

Take a ride with us while understanding that some decisions were easy, some were impossible and this exercise is completely subjective.

1: P Tom Skladany
This could have been Jeffrey Okudah, but Skladany was one of the best punters in college football history. If Ray Guy didn’t exist, the award given annually to the best punter in the sport would be called the Tom Skladany Award. He was taken in the second round of the 1977 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Honorable mentions: Jeffrey Okudah, Daniel “Boom” Herron, Marcus Freeman

2: S Mike Doss
This is one of the toughest numbers — take a look at the honorable mentions — but Doss was a three-time All-American and one of the faces of the Buckeyes’ 2002 national championship team after deciding to stay for his senior season. Honorable mentions: Cris Carter, Malcolm Jenkins, Chase Young, J.K. Dobbins, Terrelle Pryor, Marshon Lattimore

3: WR Michael Thomas
Though you could make an argument that Thomas was one of the most underutilized weapons Ohio State has had, given that he has become one of the best receivers in the NFL, he still helped Ohio State win the 2014 national title. He also was on the receiving end of one of the most memorable plays in Ohio State history when he caught a touchdown pass from Evan Spencer late in the first half of the College Football Playoff semifinal against Alabama during the Buckeyes’ national title run. Honorable mentions: Mike Sensibaugh

4: WR Santonio Holmes
Holmes is fourth on Ohio State’s career TD receptions list with 25. He was a Michigan killer because he caught four touchdown passes in three wins against the Wolverines from 2003-05. Holmes was a first-round pick in the 2006 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers and was named Super Bowl MVP for his performance, which included the game-winning catch, against the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII. Honorable mentions: Will Allen, Curtis Samuel, Kurt Coleman, Kirk Herbstreit

5: QB/H-back Braxton Miller
One of the most exciting offensive weapons Ohio State has had, Miller is probably best known for the spin move he had as an H-back against Virginia Tech in the season-opener in 2015. But he spent three seasons as the starting quarterback, and is second in Ohio State history in total offense with 8,950 yards. Honorable mentions: Michael Wiley, Jim Laughlin, Raekwon McMillan, Chimdi Chekwa

Braxton Miller’s quarterback play was criticized at times, but he’s still No. 2 in school history in total offense. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)

6: LB Cie Grant
Grant is fondly remembered for how beautifully he sang “Carmen Ohio” in Ohio Stadium during the Buckeyes’ national championship celebration following the team’s win over Miami for the national title, but he also made the game-sealing play when he ripped Ken Dorsey to the ground and caused an incomplete pass. Honorable mentions: Evan Spencer, Sam Hubbard

7: WR/CB Chris Gamble
This probably was the hardest number, given how much elite talent has worn No. 7 at Ohio State, but Gamble gets the nod because he played both ways and helped the Buckeyes to the national championship in 2002. Gamble originally started at receiver, but he started the last five games of the 2002 season at cornerback and had four interceptions. All four of his interceptions were game-savers, including the 40-yard pick-six against Penn State that accounted for Ohio State’s only touchdown in a 13-7 win against the Nittany Lions. Honorable mentions: Joey Galloway, Ted Ginn Jr., Dwayne Haskins, Cornelius Greene, Joe Germaine

8: QB Jim McDonald
An All-American in 1937, McDonald went 3-0 against Michigan, which automatically qualifies an Ohio State quarterback for this list. He was a team captain for Ohio State in football and basketball. Honorable mentions: Gareon Conley, Steve Bellisari

9: WR David Boston
Boston was Ohio State’s career leader in receptions with 191 until K.J. Hill broke that record this past season by 10. Boston was an All-American in 1998. Video of him fighting with Charles Woodson is in every montage made for the Ohio State-Michigan game. Honorable mentions: Brian Hartline, Devin Smith, Donte Whitner, Don Scott, Ed Thompson

10: QB Troy Smith
Smith is one of the most iconic players in Ohio State history, especially for his 2006 campaign, when he won the Heisman Trophy, the Walter Camp Award and the Davey O’Brien Award and was named the Associated Press Player of the Year. Smith is remembered as perhaps the best quarterback in program history despite the Buckeyes getting blown out by Urban Meyer’s Florida Gators in the 2006 national title game, ruining a perfect season. Honorable mentions: Rex Kern, Art Schlichter, Ryan Shazier

11: CB Antoine Winfield
A two-time All-American, Winfield can make a case for being the best cornerback in school story. Winfield helped Ohio State win the Rose Bowl in 1997, and in 1998, he won the Jim Thorpe and Jack Tatum awards. He was selected in the first round of the 1999 draft by the Buffalo Bills. Honorable mentions: Vonn Bell, Anthony Gonzalez, George Lynn

12: WR Michael Jenkins
Best known for the touchdown catch to beat Purdue in 2002 — a play fondly remembered as “Holy Buckeye” — Jenkins also holds the school career record for receiving yards with 2,898. He was a first-round pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2004 draft. Honorable mentions: Cardale Jones, Denzel Ward, Dane Sanzenbacher, Tim Fox, Michael Guess, Garcia Lane

13: RB Maurice Clarett
Very few true freshmen have been as influential in college football history. A native of Youngstown, Clarett showed up in 2002, elevated the entire roster and took the country by storm. Clarett only played one season at Ohio State and his off-field issues are what he is most remembered for, but he willed Ohio State to the national championship in his lone season. He also made a memorable hustle play in the national championship game where he chased down Sean Taylor after an interception and ripped the ball out of his arms to give the Buckeyes a much-needed possession in the second half. He rushed for more than 1,200 yards and 18 touchdowns as a true freshman. Honorable mentions: Eli Apple, Chico Nelson, Damon Moore, Kenny Guiton

14: QB Bobby Hoying
Some consideration was given to K.J. Hill because he’s Ohio State’s career leader in receptions, but sometimes quarterbacks just get the nod. Hoying was a team captain in 1995 and is third on Ohio State’s career passing yards list, behind J.T. Barrett and Art Schlichter. Honorable mentions: Eric Kumerow, K.J. Hill

15: RB Ezekiel Elliott
Elliott rushed for almost 700 yards in three postseason games while leading Ohio State to the 2014 national championship. Known for his crop-top look and his signature “feed me” hand gesture after first downs, Elliott rushed for 246 yards and four touchdowns in the national title game vs. Oregon that season, cementing his legacy as perhaps the best running back in program history. Honorable mentions: Mike Tomczak, Dee Miller, Greg Frey, Alvin Washington

Is Ezekiel Elliott the best running back in Ohio State history? A case can be made that, yes, he is. (Rick Osentoski / USA Today)

16: QB J.T. Barrett
Though there are some mixed feelings about Barrett’s legacy, you can’t argue with his numbers: He is the career leader in total offense in Ohio State history with 12,697 yards and the closest player to him is Braxton Miller with 8,950. A four-year starter at quarterback, Barrett filled in unexpectedly in 2014 when Miller got hurt and led the Buckeyes to an 11-1 season, and though he got hurt in the Michigan game, the Buckeyes would not have won the national title that season without him. Maybe Urban Meyer’s favorite player because of his leadership and dedication to the program, Barrett is an Ohio State icon. Honorable mentions: Craig Krenzel, Jim Karsatos

17: LB Jerome Baker
A high school running back, Baker was recruited to Ohio State as an athlete and turned into a prolific outside linebacker. In two years as a starter, he flew around the field and made 155 tackles. Honorable mentions: Jalin Marshall, Todd Boeckman

18: E Merle Wendt
Listed as an end because positions weren’t quite as defined in the 1930s as they are today, Wendt was a two-way starter and a three-time All-American from 1934-36 and was considered both a superb receiver and tackler. His Ohio State teams went 3-0 against Michigan. Honorable mentions: Andy Groom

19: QB/P Tom Tupa
Tupa sat behind Mike Tomczak and Jim Karsatos for three years before being named the starting quarterback in 1987. He also was the starting punter and was named an All-American that season for those efforts. Honorable mentions: Ahmed Plummer

20: CB Neal Colzie
One of the best players on the 1974 team that won the Rose Bowl against USC, Colzie is the only All-American to wear the No. 20 in Ohio State history. Honorable mentions: Nate Clements

21: P B.J. Sander
The winner of the 2003 Ray Guy award, given annually to the nation’s best punter. Sander was selected in the third round of the 2004 draft, which is unusually early for a punter. Honorable mentions: Zack Dumas, Nate Salley, Parris Campbell

22: QB/HB Les Horvath
Horvath made history by becoming Ohio State’s first Heisman winner, in 1944. As the leader of the 1944 team, Horvath led the Buckeyes to a 9-0 record and a Big Ten championship. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.

23: DB Arnie Chonko
Chonko is the only Buckeye to wear No. 23 to be named an All-American, and he also was the first defensive back in program history to be selected as an All-American. At Ohio State from 1962-64, Chonko also was an All-American first baseman for the Buckeyes’ baseball team. Honorable mentions: Ron Springs, Craig Cassady, Matt Keller

24: CB Shawn Springs
Springs got the nod over Malik Hooker because he was a dominant force for more than one season at Ohio State. Springs, named an All-American in 1996, helped Ohio State to two Big Ten titles and a Rose Bowl win in 1997. The Seattle Seahawks selected him with the third overall selection in the 1997 draft. Honorable mentions: Malik Hooker, Drew Basil

25: E Esco Sarkkinen
The only All-American to wear No. 25 at Ohio State, Sarkkinen earned that honor in 1939 while helping Ohio State to the Big Ten title. Sarkkinen was a Buckeyes assistant from 1946-78. Honorable mentions: Mike Weber, Donnie Nickey, Antonio Pittman, Carlos Snow

26: RB Robert Smith
Though Smith had a complicated Ohio State career (he quit the team and later returned following a dispute with an assistant regarding the importance put on academics), he broke Archie Griffin’s freshman rushing record in 1990. During his season away from football, Smith changed to a track scholarship. He returned to the football team in 1992, and in his two seasons, he rushed for 1,945 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. He was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1993 draft. Honorable mentions: Gust Zarnas, Ashton Youboty

27: RB Eddie George
Some view George as the best running back in program history after his 1995 season in which he won the Heisman, the Doak Walker Award, the Maxwell Award, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and the Big Ten MVP after rushing for a school-record 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns. Though that single-season record was broken by J.K. Dobbins in 2019, George still has the single-game rushing record of 314 yards and is fourth on the career rushing list with 3,768 yards. Selected by the Houston Oilers in the first round of the draft, he was the 1996 NFL Rookie of the Year before playing nine pro seasons and earning four Pro Bowl selections. Honorable mentions: Sid Gillman, Ray Ellis, David Brown

Eddie George has a monster 1995 season, rushing for 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns; he won the Heisman for his efforts. (Mark Hall / Associated Press)

28: RB Chris “Beanie” Wells
Best known for his 52-yard touchdown against Michigan in 2006 — dubbed the “Game of the Century” because both entered undefeated for the first time in the history of the rivalry — Wells helped Ohio State win three Big Ten championships and went 3-0 against Michigan during his career. Honorable mentions: Jonathan Wells

29: RB Pepe Pearson
Fourth all-time in rushing attempts in school history with 659, Pearson doesn’t have a bunch of flashy numbers or awards. But during the 1996 season that ended with a Rose Bowl win against Arizona State, Pearson rushed for 1,484 yards and had 17 touchdowns. Pearson rushed for 173 yards and two touchdowns in Ohio State’s big win against Notre Dame in South Bend that season. Honorable mentions: Inwood Smith

30: E Wes Fesler
It’s hard to say what number he definitively wore. We found an old roster that said Fesler was No. 30, so putting him in this spot made sense because there wasn’t a ton of competition for a guy who was named a first-team All-American in 1928 and ’29 and was a unanimous first-team All-America selection in 1930. He later was Ohio State’s coach from 1947-50. Honorable mentions: Greg Bellisari

31: HB Vic Janowicz
During his junior season in 1950, Janowicz had one of the greatest individual seasons in OSU history by accounting for 16 touchdowns and 875 yards in total offense while also playing defense. That season, he won the Heisman, was an All-American and led the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl win against California. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976.

32: DB Jack Tatum
An All-American in 1969 and ’70, Tatum is remembered as one of the hardest-hitting defensive backs the game has seen. During his time with the Buckeyes, the team was 27-2, played for two national championships and won one. Tatum was named the national defensive player of the year in 1970 and was a first-round pick of the Oakland Raiders in the 1971 draft. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004. Honorable mentions: Na’il Diggs, Joseph Galius, Kelton Dansler

33: LB James Laurinaitis
One of Ohio State’s eight three-time All-Americans, Laurinaitis won a Big Ten championship and beat Michigan in each of his four years with the program (2005-08). He is sixth on Ohio State’s career tackles list with 375. He won the Butkus Award in 2007 and the Lott Trophy and the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award in 2008. Honorable mentions: Gomer Jones, Oliver Cline, Bob White, Ralph Wolf, Pete Johnson

34: RB Carlos Hyde
Hyde was the running back who defined Ohio State’s power spread during the beginning of Urban Meyer’s tenure. He is No. 10 on Ohio State’s career rushing list with 3,198 yards. Honorable mentions: Raymont Harris, Jeff Logan

35: FB Jim Otis
Otis helped the Buckeyes to the Big Ten title and the national championship in 1968. In 1969, Otis was named an All-American after becoming the school’s first 1,000-yard rusher (1,027 yards). Honorable mentions: Matt Wilhelm

36: LB Chris Spielman
An All-American in 1986 and ’87, Spielman is the face of toughness at a program that has a claim for “Linebacker U.” Spielman beat out two other stud linebackers in Tom Cousineau and Marcus Marek at this number. Spielman was a three-year starter and would have been a four-year starter if not for an ankle injury that hampered his ability to play as a freshman. He had 546 career tackles, a total that places him third on the OSU career list behind Marek (572) and Cousineau (569). Honorable mentions: Tom Cousineau, Marcus Marek

37: CB Dustin Fox
Fox is No. 3 in career pass breakups at Ohio State and was an integral part of the Buckeyes’ national championship run in 2002. Honorable mentions: Joshua Perry, Nicky Sualua, William White

38: FB Harold “Champ” Henson
A lettermen from 1972-74, Henson helped win three Big Ten championships and was a part of the team that won the 1974 Rose Bowl. In three years as a punishing runner, Henson rushed for 1,335 yards and 36 touchdowns. In 2012, he was selected as the Republican nominee for Pickaway County Commissioner. Honorable mentions: Austin Spitler, Vaughn Broadnax

39: LB Malik Harrison
Harrison arrived at Ohio State as a three-star quarterback from Columbus Walnut Ridge, but he turned into a productive linebacker. Harrison led the team in tackles with 81 as a junior in 2018, and added 2.5 sacks and an interception. This past season, he again led the team in tackles with 75. Honorable mentions: Jamar Martin

Howard Cassady had a great nickname and an extremely productive career. He won the Heisman in 1954. (Associated Press)

40: HB Howard “Hopalong” Cassady
A Buckeye through and through, Cassady used to sneak into Ohio Stadium as a kid growing up in Columbus. Later, he became Ohio State’s third Heisman winner and a key piece of the 1954 national champions. In his final game, he had an interception and a touchdown (pictured above) against Michigan, finishing his career as a two-time All-American. All these years later, he’s still top five in all-purpose yards in program history. Honorable mentions: Robert Shaw

41: RB Keith Byars
One of the best running backs in school history, Byars rushed for 1,764 yards and 22 touchdowns in 1984, finishing behind Doug Flutie in the Heisman race. Byars was named an All-American and the Big Ten’s Most Valuable Player for his efforts that season, when he led the nation in rushing. Honorable mentions: Tom Matte, John Regis Monahan

42: HB Paul Warfield
Warfield was the starting halfback on the 1961 national championship team that posted an 8-0-1 record. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a wide receiver, Warfield also a two-time letterman in track at Ohio State, competing as a broad jumper, hurdler and sprinter. Honorable mentions: Bobby Carpenter, John Brockington

43: LB Darron Lee
A three-star prospect who was converted from a high school quarterback to an outside linebacker, Lee was an instrumental piece in Ohio State’s 2014 national championship run. Lee had 146 tackles in two years as a starter before becoming a first-round selection by the New York Jets in the 2016 draft. He went 3-0 against Michigan during his career. Honorable mentions: Carl Kaplanoff, Calvin Murray

44. HB/CB Dick LeBeau
Though LeBeau is most known for his NFL accomplishments as a coach and a player, he was an integral part of Ohio State’s national championship run in 1957. Playing both sides of the ball that season, LeBeau scored two touchdowns as Ohio State defeated Michigan 31-14. Honorable mentions: Zach Boren, Gene Fekete, Gary Williams

45: RB Archie Griffin
College football’s only two-time Heisman winner rushed for 5,589 yards in his Buckeyes career (1972-75), a mark that likely never will be broken. Woody Hayes called him “the best football player I’ve ever seen.” Griffin started in four Rose Bowls, and Ohio State went 40-5-1 with Griffin as its starting running back. Honorable mentions: Andy Katzenmoyer

46: RB Bob Ferguson
A two-time All-American, Ferguson led the Buckeyes in rushing in all three seasons as a starter. In 1961, he was the runner-up for the Heisman and won the Maxwell Award while helping lead Ohio State to the national title. Honorable mentions: Ted Provost, Tim Spencer

47: RB Chic Harley
Harley helped catapult Ohio State into the powerhouse it has become today when he led the Buckeyes to their first-ever win over Michigan in 1919 after they had gone 0-13-2 in their first 15 matchups with the Wolverines. Ohio State’s first three-time All-American, Harley earned those honors in 1916 and ’17, was a pilot in World War I in 1918, then was an All-American again when he returned to the Buckeyes in 1919. Ohio Stadium is referred to as “the house that Harley built.” Honorable mentions: A.J. Hawk, Ted Rosequist

48: DB Vincent Skillings
A defensive back from 1977-80, Skillings helped Ohio State to two Big Ten titles and was named to the All-Big Ten team all three seasons he started. He had 13 career interceptions, which is sixth-most in program history. Honorable mentions: Mark “Bo” Pelini, Brian Baschnagel

49: FB Dionte Johnson
He helped win three Big Ten titles and was 4-0 against Michigan. Johnson was one of the last pure fullbacks in Ohio State history before the spread offense started to take over the game. Johnson is the son of Pepper Johnson, and they are the only father-son duo on this list. Honorable mentions: Jayson Gwinn

50: DE Vernon Gholston
Gholston helped win three Big Ten titles and four games against Michigan. His breakout season came in 2007, when he set the school record for most sacks in a season with 14 and was named an All-American. Though that sack record was broken in 2019 by Chase Young (16.5), Gholston still holds the school record for sacks in a game with four, set against Wisconsin in ’07. Gholston was taken No. 6 overall by the New York Jets in the 2008 draft. Honorable mentions: Mike Brewster, Doug Datish, Jacoby Boren, Vic Marino, Gordon Appleby

51: LB Anthony Schlegel
Schlegel had 80-plus tackles in his two seasons with the Buckeyes after transferring from Air Force, starting at middle linebacker between A.J. Hawk and Bobby Carpenter. He also had one of the more memorable tackles in Ohio Stadium history in 2014 when he was associate director of strength and conditioning, taking down a fan who rushed the field during Ohio State’s 50-28 win against Cincinnati. Honorable mentions: Ross Homan

52: DT Jonathan Hankins
A first-team All-American, Hankins had 55 tackles and four tackles for loss for the undefeated 2012 Buckeyes. Honorable mentions: Tom DeLeone, Steve Myers, Bob McCullough, Wyatt Davis

53: LB Randy Gradishar
Woody Hayes called him “the greatest linebacker I ever coached.” Gradishar is still No. 12 in OSU history with 320 tackles. He finished sixth in the Heisman voting in 1973. Honorable mentions: Ike Kelley

54: OL Billy Price
He was a first-team All-American as a guard in 2016. Then he became the best center in the country, earning the Rimington Trophy, Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year honors and unanimous All-American status in ’17. Price started a program-record 55 consecutive games from 2014-17. Honorable mentions: John Simon, Luther Henson, Tim Anderson, Mark Stier

Billy Price earned first-team All-America honors at two positions, first at guard and then at center. (Joe Maiorana / USA Today)

55: C Nick Mangold
The first-team All-American center also was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and a three-year starter for the Buckeyes. Honorable mentions: Jack Dugger, Aaron Brown, Jerome Foster

56: G Rob Murphy
Murphy started at left guard next to Orlando Pace in 1996, then earned first-team All-American honors in 1997 and ’98. Honorable mentions: Ken Fritz, Darrion Scott

57: DE Mike Kudla
He got a national championship ring as a freshman, then became a two-year starter at end and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2005. He’s in the top 20 in career sacks at OSU with 14.5. Honorable mentions: Greg Smith, LeShun Daniels

58: LB Steve Tovar
The two-time All-American linebacker was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 1992. A punishing hitter who led the Buckeyes in tackles for three consecutive seasons, Tovar is one of four players in program history with at least 400 career tackles. Honorable mentions: Tom Waugh, Charles Bonica

59: DE Tyquan Lewis
A two-year starter at end, Lewis was the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2016. His 23.5 career sacks rank No. 6 in program history. Honorable mentions: Ken Vargo

60: OT Charles Csuri
Csuri was a first-team All-American for Ohio State’s first national championship team in 1942. He then served in the United States Army during World War II, earning a Bronze Star for heroism in the Battle of the Bulge. Honorable mentions: Ted Smith

61: G Alan Jack
There are a few numbers that haven’t been worn by a first-team All-American or all-league player. This is one of them. But Jack was a three-starter at guard, helped win a national championship in 1968 and served as a team captain in 1969.

62: OL Jim Parker
Woody Hayes called him “everything a lineman should be.” The Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer was a unanimous All-American in 1956, and he was Ohio State’s first Outland Trophy winner. Honorable mentions: Mike Takacs

Jim Parker was a dominant lineman in 1956, when he won the Outland Trophy. He later became a star in the NFL. (Courtesy of Pro Football Hall of Fame)

63: DT Michael Bennett
Bennett was a two-year starter at defensive tackle and captain of the 2014 national champions. He finished his career with 18 sacks, which was in the top 10 in program history at the time. Honorable mentions: Jim Reichenbach, Doug Adams, Kirk Lowdermilk

64: G Jim Lachey
Lachey started for just one season, but in that year, he was a consensus first-team All-American at guard, helping pave the way for Keith Byars’ 1,764 rushing yards in 1984. Honorable mentions: Aurelius Thomas, Mike Ingram, Bill Lukens

65: OL Pat Elflein
Ohio State’s second Rimington Trophy winner. Elflein was a two-time All-Big Ten guard before moving to center in 2016, where he was named a unanimous All-American and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. The three-year starter won a national championship in 2014. Honorable mentions: Ray Pryor

66: LB Tom Bugel
Another number without any first-team All-Americans. The pick here is Bugel. He was a three-year starter for Woody Hayes as a linebacker and middle guard, and was a first-team All-Big selection in 1964. Honorable mentions: John Biltz

67: OT Alan Kline
The only player to earn an all-conference nod wearing this number, Kline was a four-year starter, a captain and a first-team All-Big Ten tackle in 1991. Honorable mentions: Dave Templeton, Eddie Beamon, Robert “BB” Landers

68: NT Jim Stillwagon
One of the deeper numbers on this list. Still, Stillwagon is the obvious choice. The College Football Hall of Famer and 1970 Outland Trophy winner was a consensus All-American defensive lineman in 1969, then a unanimous choice in 1970. The three-year starter helped the Buckeyes win a national title in 1968. Honorable mentions: LeCharles Bentley, Doug Van Horn, Jeff Uhlenhake, Taylor Decker

69: G Dick Mack
The list of players who wore this number is decidedly not #nice. Mack was a two-year starter at guard blocking for Archie Griffin and earned first-team All-Big Ten notice in 1974. Honorable mentions: Rodney Foster

70: OT Dave Foley
Foley was a three-year starter at offensive tackle and a first-team All-Big Ten selection for the 1968 national champs. Honorable mentions: Dick Hilinski, George Hasenohrl, Rick Middleton, Bill Roberts

71: DT Pete Cusick
The three-year starter was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and a first-team All-American in 1974. Honorable mentions: Corey Linsley

72: DT Dan Wilkinson
Before he became the No. 1 overall pick in the 1994 NFL Draft, “Big Daddy” was the 1993 Big Ten Defensive Player and Defensive Lineman of the Year, and a first-team All-American. Honorable mentions: Kurt Schumacher, Joe Lukens

73: OT Rufus Mayes
Three eventual first-round picks and four first-team All-Americans wore this number in Columbus, including Mayes. He started his career as a tight end, then moved to tackle for the 1968 national champs, earning a first-team All-American nod. Honorable mentions: Bob Vogel, Bob Momsen, Jim Davidson, George Jacoby, Michael Jordan

74: OT John Hicks
Simply put, one of college football’s greatest offensive linemen. Hicks won the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Trophy in 1973, and finished second in the Heisman voting behind John Cappelletti. Hicks, a College Football Hall of Famer, was a two-time first-team All-American. Honorable mentions: Kirk Barton, Jack Mewhort

Orlando Pace was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes and dominant from the moment he stepped on campus. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)

75: OT Orlando Pace
Pace is maybe college football’s best offensive lineman. Pace was a three-year starter for the Buckeyes, and didn’t allow a sack as a sophomore or junior. He’s the only player to win the Lombardi Award twice. He also won the Outland Trophy in 1996, when he finished fourth in the Heisman voting. Honorable mentions: Nick Buonamici

76: DE Jim Marshall
Before he returned a fumble 66 yards into his own end zone as member of the Minnesota Vikings (he also was a two-time All-Pro and NFL champion), Marshall was a national champion for the Buckeyes in 1957 and a first-team All-American in 1958. Honorable mentions: Bill Trautwein, Alex Stepanovich

77: OL Rob Sims
Sims was a three-year starter — two seasons at tackle and one at guard. In 2005, he served as a captain and was selected first-team All-Big Ten. Honorable mentions: Doug France, Tyson Walter, Reid Fragel

78: OT Korey Stringer
Stringer was the first Buckeye to win Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year honors, in 1993. He won it again in 1994 before passing that torch to Pace for the next two seasons. Stringer was a two-time first-team All-American and a three-year starter at right tackle. He was a first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings, and died in 2001 at age 27 after suffering a heat stroke in preseason camp. Honorable mentions: Andrew Norwell

79: OT Chris Ward
Ward was a three-year starter at left tackle and a two-time first-team All-American, earning unanimous acclaim in 1977. Honorable mentions: Joe Staysniak, Ryan Pickett

80: TE Jan White
One of the “Super Sophomores” who helped Ohio State win a national title in 1968, White was a three-year starter at tight end for Woody Hayes. He led the team in receptions in 1969 and ’70. The 1970 first-team All-American ranks in the top 10 in program history in receptions (61), receiving yards (762) and touchdowns (eight) by a tight end. Honorable mentions: Brian Robiskie, Cecil Souders, Ricky Dudley

81: TE Billy Anders
A rarity in the Woody Hayes years as a pass-catching tight end, Anders caught 55 passes in 1966, then a program single-season record and one that wasn’t surpassed until Cris Carter caught 58 in 1985. He was a three-year starter at tight end and a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 1967. At the time he ended his career, Anders was the program’s career leader in receptions (108). Honorable mentions: Nick Vannett

82: TE Bruce Jankowski
No All-Americans and just one all-conference player wore this number. We’ll give the nod to Jankowski, who twice led Hayes’ teams in receptions, including the ’68 champs. His 66 receptions are sixth-best for a tight end in program history. Honorable mentions: Bill Spahr

83: WR Terry Glenn
Ohio State’s only Biletnikoff Award winner as the best receiver in the country, Glenn went from a walk-on to consensus All-American status, in 1995. That season, he turned in one of the great OSU receiving seasons, with 64 catches for 1,411 yards and a program-record 17 touchdowns. Honorable mentions: Terry McLaurin, Dean Dugger, Mark Debevc

Terry Glenn is the only Biletnikoff Award winner in Buckeyes history, for his sterling season in 1995. (Gary Tramontina / Associated Press)

84: E Jim Houston
The College Football Hall of Famer played on both sides of the ball for the Buckeyes, and was a two-time first-team All-American for Hayes as a blocking end. Honorable mentions: Bob Brudzinski, Jeff Graham, Doug Worthington

85: K Mike Nugent
The program’s only Lou Groza Award winner, Nugent was the best kicker in the country in 2004. He’s still the program’s leader in career points and field goals, and kicked four of the eight longest field goals in school history. Honorable mentions: Cedric Saunders, Leo Brown

86: TE Jeff Heuerman
This number hasn’t been worn by a first-team All-American or an all-league player, but it has had three draft picks. We’ll give the nod to Heuerman, a captain on the 2014 national championship team (even though he wore No. 5 for most of that season to honor the injured Braxton Miller). Heuerman was a three-year starter at tight end who caught 52 passes in his career. Honorable mentions: Jake Ballard, Dre’Mont Jones, Dick Van Raaphorst

87: TE Greg Lashutka
No first-team All-Americans or first-team all-league players here, either. Lashutka was a three-year starter at tight end, a captain in 1965 and, later, the mayor of Columbus. Honorable mentions: Tom Perdue, Mike Bartoszek

88: DE Van Ness DeCree
DeCree was a three-year starter and a two-time first-team All-American who finished his career with 189 tackles and 17 tackles for loss. Honorable mentions: Paul Sarringhaus, Stan White, Ben Hartsock, Steve Miller

89: TE John Frank
The only first-team All-American to wear the number, Frank was Ohio State’s leading receiver in 1983 and has the most receptions (121) and yards (1,481) of any tight end in program history.

90: OL Warren Amling
Amling, a two-time-first-team All-American, was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984. Honorable mentions: Lorenzo Styles, Quinn Pitcock, Thaddeus Gibson

91: DE Jim Cope
Cope was a three-year starter from 1972-74, winning a Big Ten championship every year.

92: DE Matt Finkes
Adolphus Washington is the only player to earn a first-team All-American nod wearing this number, but Finkes put together the more productive career. The two-time first-team All-Big Ten defensive end and three-year starter is second in program history in tackles for loss (59) and fourth in sacks (25). Honorable mentions: Adolphus Washington

93: DE Will Smith
He had a big 2003, earning first-team All-American honors as well as being named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. Those honors came one year after he helped the Buckeyes win a national title. His 23 career sacks and 46.5 tackles for loss both rank in the top 10 in program history.

Mike Vrabel is Ohio State’s career sacks leader and was a two-time All-American. (Courtesy of Ohio State Athletics)

94: DE Mike Vrabel
Nobody has more career sacks in a Buckeye uniform than Vrabel, whose total of 36 withstood the challenge from Chase Young over the past three years. Vrabel was a two-time Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year as well as a two-time first-team All-American.

95: P Cameron Johnston
A finalist for the Ray Guy Award in 2016, Johnston is one of the best punters in OSU history, ranking first in punts downed inside the 20 (109) and second in punting average (44.9). Johnston, the 2016 Big Ten Punter of the Year, won a national title with the 2014 Buckeyes. Honorable mentions: John Kacherski

96: G Bill Hackett
Hackett lettered for Ohio State’s national championship team in 1942, then was a first-team All-American guard in 1944. Honorable mentions: Lin Houston

97: DE Joey Bosa
Bosa posted one of the great individual seasons in OSU history with his 13.5 sacks for the 2014 national champs. He won Big Ten Defensive Player and Defensive Lineman of the Year honors that season, and was named a unanimous first-team All-American. He won All-American and Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year honors again in 2015. His 26 career sacks are fourth-most in program history. Honorable mentions: Nick Bosa, Cameron Heyward

98: LB Pepper Johnson
A two-year starter and two-time captain, Johnson is sixth at OSU in career tackles with 379. He got a first-team All-American nod in 1985. Honorable mentions: John Russell Thomas

99: DT Bill Willis
Willis had his No. 99 enshrined at Ohio Stadium in 2007, a nod to Ohio State’s first black All-American. Willis earned the distinction twice, in 1943 and ’44, and he helped the Buckeyes to their first national title in 1942. He’s a member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame. Honorable mentions: Jim Daniell, Jimmy Moore, Alonzo Spellman, Luke Fickell

(Top photo of Archie Griffin: Associated Press)

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