At 6-3, 185, Provost was the protypical tall, rangy safety who was a tough run support defender, but earned his nickname from then-OSU Head Coach Woody Hayes for his ability to play pass defense.
"My sophomore year was the first year that Woody started the Buckeye Leafs (on the helmets for great plays) and I had something like seven interceptions in the first four games. Woody said something like 'He has so many leaves that now he's a tree.' That kind of stuck. Everybody thinks its because I'm tall, but it's because of the Buckeye leaves on the helmets," said Provost.
Provost said that to this day he is still recognized around Columbus as "The Tree".
Still #3 (tie) on the all time interceptions list at The Ohio State University:
ALL-TIME INTERCEPTIONS - CAREER
No. 1 Mike Sensibaugh, 1968 to 1970: 22 interceptions
No. 2 Fred Bruney, 1950 to 1952: 17 interceptions
No. 3 William White, 1984 to 1987: 16 interceptions
No. 3 Ted Provost, 1967 to 1969: 16 interceptions
No. 5 Neal Colzie, 1972 to 1974: 15 interceptions
No. 6 Ahmed Plummer, 1996 to 1999: 14 interceptions
No. 6 Sonny Gordon, 1983 to 1986: 14 interceptions
No. 8 Vince Skillings, 1978 to 1980: 13 interceptions
No. 9 Damon Moore, 1995 to 1998: 12 interceptions
No. 9 David Brown, 1986 to 1989: 12 interceptions
No. 9 Kelvin Bell, 1981 to 1983: 12 interceptions
ALL-TIME INTERCEPTIONS - SEASON
No. 1 Mike Sensibaugh, 1969: 9 interceptions
No. 1 Craig Cassady, 1975: 9 interceptions
No. 3 Neal Colzie, 1974: 8 interceptions
No. 3 Mike Sensibaugh, 1970: 8 interceptions
No. 5 Malik Hooker, 2016: 7 interceptions
No. 5 Derek Ross, 2001: 7 interceptions
No. 5 Vinnie Clark, 1990: 7 interceptions
No. 5 Sonny Gordon, 1986: 7 interceptions
No. 5 Ted Provost, 1967: 7 interceptions
No. 5 Arnie Chonko, 1964: 7 interceptions
No. 5 Fred Bruney, 1951: 7 interceptions
No. 5 Fred Bruney, 1952: 7 interceptions