Favorite Ohio State Football Players (Mega-Merge)

[Jaxbuck]

I pretty much see it the way the 11W author does.

I was born in '71, so anyone who played after '81 I saw and they almost predominately make up my top 6.(Fuck it. It's my list and I'm going to 6.)

1. Speilman. No one else is even close really.
2. Archie. I never got to see him play but he's my favorite Buckeye ambassador. Pure class.
3. Winfield. See the authors comment about pound for pound best ever.
4. Mike Doss. Said he was going to stay for SR year to win a championship and did it.
5. Tyvis Powell. This is my favorite Buckeye list not greatest player list. If this kid didn't embody being a true Buckeye I don't know who did.

"It is very unfortunate for coach Tressel but it doesn't affect my decision at all," said Powell of the news. "I didn't hear anything about the business school going down or falling apart and college is college, you go for an education and to play football. Ohio State is Ohio State and it always will be no matter who is wearing the headphones. I want to send a message to everyone that I'm still on board and everyone else should be as well."

If you can say one thing to Buckeye Nation, what would it be?
I'm ready to be a Buckeye and won't let you down. We're going to have some fun and I'm going to give you your money's worth! Get the popcorn ready.

6. Ezekiel Elliott. Up there with Winfield and Spiels in terms of literally playing as hard as he could have played on every single play. That is the kind of kid you hope you raise as a parent. I absolutely love seeing that combination of talent and mental toughness.

So Spielman, Winfield and Zeke for the combination of elite talent and elite mental toughness.

Archie, Doss and Tyvis for being them (not that Archie or Doss were slouches obviously)

 

[Bestbuck36]

My favorites start with Mr Spielman. I was born in '73 and I'd have loved to remember watching them play. I'm sure my pops had me right in front of the tv watching them. I had a Buckeye Mobile in the crib that played the fight song if that tells you anything. The Wheaties box while at Massillon and the story about him in the mid 80's totally locked it in for me. Running around with a broken helmet on his head then throwing it off to make a huge play on Chuck Long has to be my favorite memory.
To be totally honest there were a couple other players in the country that I liked before I knew what I was doing. One was Anthony Carter. Not proud of that but the Carters went to my high school so that probably had something to do with it. That Godforsaken helmet not withstanding he was a class act from what I could remember. The other was Herschel Walker. I used to run down the hallway and jump over my bed like Herschel over goal line. That is until my fat ass went too far one time and my big head put a hole in the wall. LOL, dad was pissed. Anyway, since Spiels set the bar it's been everything - and the ONLY thing - Buckeye every since.

The Coach. As good as Tress was and amazing Urban Meyer is, no one will ever replace Woody.

1. Chris Spielman.
2. Earle Bruce. I went to a camp when I was in maybe 9th grade and coach Bruce told me to keep working and I could be a Buckeye someday. That freaking lit a massive fire underneath me. Too bad coach Cooper came along so soon and change up the recruiting.
3. Ted Ginn. Teddy did things on the field I've never seen another Buckeye do before and haven't since. The way he changes a game was just incredible. Love that guy.
4. Orlando Pace. 50 yards downfield lead blocking on a Michael Wiley reverse and the invention of the Pancake Block at OSU. Enuff said.
5. Tom Tupa. I played TE but also punted in high school and a lil in college and Tom's booming punts always amazed me. He was kind of a two way player also so he was a model for how I wanted to be successful

 

[ScriptOhio]

Anyone that put on a Scarlet and Gray uniform, continually gave it their best effort both on the field and in the classroom, and didn't embarrass the university (i.e. trashed the school, flunked out, got kicked off the team, transferred, and/or got convicted of a felony, etc) is a favorite.

Just sayin': I don't think anyone should base a favorite player solely on his on the field performance. I stayed in Smith Hall during the late 1960s and roomed next to and/or down the hall from several football players. I've seen star players that were total jerks and 3rd/4th stringers that were great human beings.

With that being said, football is a team sport and I'll acknowledge that the first three players that come to mind are Rex Kern, Craig Krenzel, and Cardale Jones. I'll always appreciate the contribution that they made to the football program, they lead the team that brought home "THE TROPHY".

 

[bigdog3300]

GOAT

 

[Dryden]

5. Tyvis Powell. This is my favorite Buckeye list not greatest player list. If this kid didn't embody being a true Buckeye I don't know who did.

I'm on board with this. Purely on the criteria of "favorite" Buckeye, Tyvis is pretty dang tough to beat. Not sure anyone ever went through the program that loved being a Buckeye more than him. The game clinching INTs against The Team Up North and Alabama, and the goal line stand against Oregon were all icing on the cake.

 

[cincibuck]

O h - wow: Saw some great ones - my sister entered Ohio State in the fall of 53 and bought season tickets after graduating, made sure I got to see one or two games a year. Sooooo, from before I went to OSU in 61: Cassidy, Jim Parker, Aurelius Thomson - a 300+ pounder when 250 was yuge (thanks, Donald). Woody would put him on the kickoff teams and he was like a giant scarlet bowling ball, taking out 3 or 4 blockers as he cruised the field. Loved tiny Tad Weed, an extremely accurate kicker from 45 on in. Jimmy Roseboro and Don Clark do not get the attention they deserve because of Cassidy.

From the years I went to OSU: Bob Ferguson - started every game for 3 years (frosh couldn't play then) and was never thrown for a loss. Tom Matte. Loved to watch him run the option with Ferguson. Sam Tidmore - a mean defensive end who looked like he had knife scars on his head. Ike Kelly was a vicious linebacker. Paul Warfield and Matt Snell - who was much faster than Ferguson and just about as tough to bring down.

Spent two years in the army and came back in time to catch the final two years of Rex Kern, Jack Tatum, Jim Stillwagon. Hayes had opened up the offense - Gotta cut this off -

The most exciting buckeye player I saw play in person? No doubt about that; Keith Byers before he broke his foot - and it ain't even close, although Elliot's run against Michigan, Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon had to be considered before making that statement.

Conclusion: It's good to be an old fart and a buckeye! i o!

 

[TooTall]

1. Ted Ginn
2. Santonio Holmes
3. AJ Hawk (even though he went to Centerville HS )
4. Will Allen (completely biased)
5. Braxton Miller (completely biased)

 

[DiamondBuck]

My Buckeye consciousness started with Archie's teams.

These guys (not in order):

Archie
Spiels
Dane Sanzenbacher
Justin Boren (thanks x3!)
Zeke

 

[CFPBuckeye]

I first followed Buckeye football beginning in the mid 90's. I ushered the games for the boy scouts and was fortunate to see some great games. For example, I watched the '95 Notre Dame game from the old track right behind the Buckeye bench. Actually, I was short so the view wasn't great but the experience was amazing. Anyway...

My list (not in order)
1. Eddie George
2. Andy Katzenmoyer
3. Orlando Pace
4. Chris Gamble
5. Craig Krenzel
6. Maurice Clarett
7. AJ Hawk
8. Troy Smith
9. Ted Ginn Jr.
10. Ezekiel Elliott

I left off plenty of great players but these 10 are the favorite of my favorites.

 

[Jagdaddy]

1. Zeke
2. Antoine Winfield
3. Michael Jernkins

While not on my personal favorites list, I also want to show some love to a few guys who IMO don't get enough love from the fans: Marcus Marek, Jeff Graham, Damon Moore, and Matt Wilhelm.