Jack Tatum, 1968 to 1970
Jack Tatum arrived at Ohio State as a running back. But when he joined the varsity team as a sophomore, he was moved over to defensive back. Tatum didn’t seem to need much of a learning curve. Intimidating, fierce and a violent hitter, in his first full season he helped the Buckeyes capture the 1968 national title. In a secondary next to Ted Provost, Mike Sensibaugh and Tim Anderson, Tatum showed off his skills against Purdue when he kept Heisman favorite Leroy Keyes to 19 receiving yards and helped Ohio State earn the upset win. He was a cornerstone of the defense across his three seasons in Columbus as Ohio State pieced together a 27-2 record and won two Big Ten titles and played in two Rose Bowls. A two-time All-American and the National Defensive Player of the Year as a senior, Tatum also received votes for the Heisman Trophy.