If you could go into a lab and find a way to revive any Ohio State football player from history to field a team of the best at each position during their college careers, what players would you pick?
That’s the exercise we went through in picking an all-time roster for a program that has more than a few iconic players to choose from.
In other words, not every all-time roster is created equal, and you’d be hard-pressed to find one as good as what you could throw out there in a flurry of scarlet and gray accolades.
But back to the task at hand? Who would you pick to round out an-all time roster including starters and backups? Would you agree with what we came up with here on Buckeyes Wire?
There are tough decisions to make, and some very, very, very good players that didn’t quite make the cut. We started with the offensive side of the ball and will also bring you the defense as well as the coaches and specialists.
Here are the Buckeye greats we selected for an all-time offense on the banks of the Olentangy.
Check out our other College Wire all-time lineups: Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin
Starting QB: Troy Smith
Why he makes the all-time roster:
It’s tempting to go with Fields, but Smith was a baller who won the Heisman. Hard to argue with him and how he set a new precedent with the quarterback position at Ohio State.
Backup QB: Justin Fields
Why he makes the all-time roster:
Fields might be the most athletic QB to ever suit up in the scarlet and gray. He was a Heisman finalist in 2019 and a first-round NFL draft pick because of his exploits and highlight reels at Ohio State.
Starting RB: Archie Griffin
Why he makes the all-time roster:
Because he’s Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner even though teams knew he’d get the ball. Need we say more?
Backup RB: Eddie George
Why he makes the all-time roster:
George also took home the Heisman out of the backfield and was slippery, strong and possessed underrated speed. He helped put Ohio State back on the map after some leaner years.
Starting WR 1: David Boston
Why he makes the all-time roster:
David Boston tops a lot of the receiving record stats at Ohio State and gets the nod over everyone at this point. He was big, athletic, fast and ahead of his time.
Backup WR 1: Garrett Wilson
Why he makes the all-time roster:
Garrett Wilson can play in the slot or the outside and probably would be higher in the record books if not playing amongst other talented wide receivers.
Starting WR 2: Cris Carter
Why he makes the all-time roster:
We have to have someone to get it done in the red zone, and Carter is one of the best to ever do it. I mean, all he did was catch touchdowns (as they say) with unbelievable body control and hands. He is enshrined in Canton.
Backup WR 2: Joey Galloway
Why he makes the all-time roster:
Galloway is one of the fastest wide receivers to play the game at any level and had a long, long career against top corners even as he made it to the NFL
Starting WR 3: Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Why he makes the all-time roster:
Yes, we’re making the call while Smith-Njigba is still on the team. He is the all-time leader in receiving yards and total catches in a single season with two first-round picks on the team. He may commit an assault on the record books at OSU after this season.
Backup WR 3: Terry Glenn
Why he makes the all-time roster:
With so many great wide receivers to choose from, someone had to get left out (we’re looking at you Chris Olave). But we can’t leave out the only Buckeye receiver to win the Biletnikoff Award with that magical 1995 season.
Starting TE: John Frank
Why he makes the all-time roster:
Frank is easily the most productive tight end in Ohio State history and is the clear starter in our book at a position that has been historically thin.
Backup TE: Rickey Dudley
Why he makes the all-time roster:
A two-sport athlete, Dudley might be the most athletic tight end to ever play at OSU, and he was a force in the passing game. He was really a one-year wonder in Columbus, but it was a great one.
Starting Center: LeCharles Bentley
Why he makes the all-time roster:
Bentley won the Rimington Trophy and was as solid as they come at the center position as a consensus All-American. He went on to be a Pro-Bowler in the NFL.
Backup Center: Pat Efllein
Why he makes the all-time roster:
Elflein was another Rimington winner and helped anchor one of the best offensive lines in Ohio State history. He was a unanimous All-American in 2016 and was an integral part of the 2014 national championship squad.
Starting Guard 1: Jim Parker
Why he makes the all-time roster:
Woody Hayes always said Parker was one of the most talented linemen he ever coached. We believe him because the tape and accolades don’t lie.
Starting Guard 2: Warren Amling
All-American Warren Amling was one heck of an athlete at Ohio State and is truly a Buckeye Great!#buckeyegreat pic.twitter.com/g55gj8t8W9
— The OHIO Podcast (@TheOHIOPod) June 2, 2022
Why he makes the all-time roster:
If you don’t know about Warren Amling, you should. He did a little bit of everything on and off the football field and is often forgotten when thinking about all-timers at Ohio State. He shouldn’t be.
Starting Guard 2: Wyatt Davis
Why he makes the all-time roster:
A recent graduate, Davis was named to BTN’s all-decade team while still playing for Ohio State. Truth be known, he was probably a little underrated even as a consensus and unanimous All-American.
Starting Guard 2: Jim Lachey
Ohio State football Q&A with former Buckeye Jim Lachey https://t.co/y7gaculO8S pic.twitter.com/7ArTRxVoka
— Ohio St. Buckeye Fan (@BucknutsFan) September 17, 2016
Why he makes the all-time roster:
Jim Lachey really only had one amazing year in an Ohio State uniform, but he turned it into one whale of an NFL career.
Starting Tackle 1: Orlando Pace
Why he makes the all-time roster:
Pace is easily the best offensive lineman to ever play for Ohio State. He’s a no-brainer with elite athleticism for a big man who made a bit of a run for the Heisman in 1996. As an offensive lineman. Pancakes anyone?
Backup Tackle 1: Korey Stringer
Why he makes the all-time roster:
Korey Stringer was a consensus All-American and two-time Big Ten offensive lineman of the year. His number was retired with the Minnesota Vikings after his life was cut tragically short.
Starting Tackle 2: John Hicks
Why he makes the all-time roster:
Hicks was another Woody Hayes guy that was tough as nails and cleared the path for Archie Griffin. He was a two-time All-American who took home the rare double of winning both the Lombari Award and Outland Trophy.
Backup Tackle 2: Bill Willis
Why he makes the all-time roster:
A two-way player, Willis probably doesn’t get the recognition he deserves. He was a great blocker that helped Ohio State to a national title in 1942 and helped break the color barrier in the NFL. His No. 99 is retired in Columbus and the “Block 0” jersey is worn in his honor.
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