Michael Smith
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Its so hard to say Goodbye
Michael Smith via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Hello everyone and welcome again as I take a look at the amazing players that will be playing their last game at the Shoe today.
Almost lost in the hype of the big game on Saturday, as Michigan State comes into Columbus to take on The Ohio State Buckeyes is that it will be Senior Day. It will be the last game in the Shoe for a host of great talented players who will go down in Ohio State history.
Also Ohio State has many juniors who could after the season is over declare for the NFL draft so this could be the last game for them as well. No player has said for sure if they are going to the NFL draft early.
First here are the Seniors who will be playing their last game this Saturday no matter what.
Braxton Miller #1 HB/WR
To be honest, I might have to fight back some tears writing this part. Miller will go down as one of the most beloved Buckeyes to ever wear the Scarlet and Gray. We all know his story. He came to Ohio State as a duel threat QB. He was forced to start his freshman season due to Terrell Pryor declaring for the NFL supplemental draft. Ohio State only went 6-7 that year but Miller showed signs of his amazing talent. In Miller’s 2nd season Ohio State had a new coach in Urban Meyer who knew how to use Miller and it showed on the field. Ohio State went a perfect 12-0 but a Bowl ban prevented Ohio State from playing for a national championship. Miller finished 5th in the Heisman trophy voting for the season. In 2013 Miller led the Buckeyes to the Big 10 title game and Orange Bowl, but Ohio State lost them both. It was also known that Miller had a labrum tear in his shoulder after the Orange Bowl. He had surgery and was suppose to be ready for his Senior and last season in 2014. However, it wasn’t meant to be. He had another labrum tear just days before the season started and missed the entire 2014 season. After Ohio State won the National Championship it was rumored that Miller would transfer to any number of big time programs who needed a QB. Surprising them all, Miller agreed to change his position to WR and stay at Ohio State. Miller has had some big highlight plays in his career at Ohio State. So far his stats include 5,295 yards passing, 3,593 yards rushing, and 88 TDs. Truly one of the greatest Buckeyes ever.
Jacoby Boren #50 C
Jacoby is the latest in the line of Borens’ who made their impact at Ohio State. He has started at Center for Ohio State the last 2 seasons. He has played in every game possible since his Sophomore season. Jacoby Boren is an extremely intelligent young man of high character, he is one tough and physical football player on the practice and playing fields He entered his senior season on the “watch list” for the 2015 Rimington Trophy. Boren has been the first player taken during winter conditioning team “drafts” twice, an honor that rewards the team’s most accountable, toughest and competitive leaders. Boren is outstanding academically as well, earning second-team Academic All-America honors in December 2014. He is a two-time Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholar in (2014 and 2015) for having a grade point average above 3.70 for the prior academic years. The sustainable plant systems major is also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten Conference honoree and a four-time OSU Scholar-Athlete’
Taylor Decker #68 OL
Decker is one of my favorite Buckeyes. He’s just plain cool. I call him the human wrecking ball. Taylor Decker is the leader of an offensive line that has been one of the best in college football over his two seasons as a starter. A first-team preseason All-American by The Sporting News and Athlon Sports and second-team by Phil Steele. Decker is also a high-character individual and one of the most conscientious men on the squad. After hearing Decker speak one day following the terrible news surrounding a fallen teammate, one media member said Decker “handled himself with incredible poise with probably 50 media crowded around him looking for answers about Kosta Karageorge, and he patiently addressed them all with thoughtful, insightful responses that were incredibly helpful in painting a clearer picture of a player hardly any of us knew in any way”. His leadership is also represented in the fact he is a three-time “Iron Buckeye” award winner, which is awarded to six players bi-annually for unquestioned physical training dedication, determination, discipline, toughness and leadership. As one of the most experienced offensive linemen in the country, Decker has played in all 41 of Ohio State’s games the past three seasons and totaled over 2,300 offensive snaps. He has also started 39 consecutive games with the Buckeyes posting a 36-3 record in that time. Decker & Co. have helped pave the way for 38 individual 100-yard rushing games by six different Buckeyes in the last three years. Decker has also made time to intern the past two summers with the world famous Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Chase Farris #57 OL
Chase Farris became a starter along Ohio State’s offensive line in 2015. A fifth-year senior, this talented, athletic and team-first lineman has successfully switched from playing defense to offense to defense to offense, and his hard work — battling stars like Joey Bosa day-in and day-out — has paid off with coach Urban Meyer announcing in April that Farris would be the team’s starting right tackle. It was an earned promotion for Farris, who has impressive physical size and athleticism and who shouldn’t be looked upon as a rookie this year as he has played in 29 games for the Buckeyes, including all 15 last year.
A proud holder of a bachelor’s degree in sport industry, which he received in May, Farris spent one week in Costa Rica during the school’s May academic semester, distributing shoes to those in need as part of the “Soles 4 Souls” initiative.
Joshua Perry #37 LB
Joshua Perry is a force as a linebacker for the Buckeyes and as a conscientious and proactive team leader. A true senior, he is now a veteran of 49 games and 34 starts. He entered the season as a candidate for the Lott IMPACT Award, which honors athletic ability but also character attributes such as integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity. Perry’s Junior season he led the team in tackles, Perry is No. 1 on the team in career tackles and solo tackles and he’s within reach of a possible Top 10 standing — all-time — in career tackles at Ohio State with another productive year this year. A consumer and family financial services major, Perry interned during the 2015 May school session with M/I Homes and during the 2014 May session with Continental Realty. This past May he also went to Costa Rica as part of the “Soles 4 Souls” program and spent a week distributing shoes to those in need. He was an OSU Scholar-Athlete following the 2012-13 academic year and is on course to graduate in December. So far in his career he has 264 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks.
Tommy Schutt #90 DL
Tommy Schutt is one of those players that you need on a team. Maybe not the most talented, but works his butt off and loves to play the game. Schutt hadn’t seen much action in his Ohio State career but became a starter on the DL this his Senior season. So far this season he has 21 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. A three-year letterman, he is majoring in communications.
Nick Vannett #81 TE
Nick Vannett is a fifth-year senior who is a game-experienced and talented tight end. Physical, durable and a veteran of 50 games over the past 4 seasons, Vannett has started all 10 games for the Buckeyes this season. Vannett has 50 career catches for 554 yards and six touchdowns. His best season in which he established personal highs in catches (19), yards (220) and touchdowns (five) was his Junior year. He could end up Ohio State’s all-time tight end Top 10 in catches and yards, he is currently ninth in career TDs by a tight end with six. He is majoring in sports and industry and graduated on August 9, 2015.
Adolphus Washington #92 DL
Adolphus Washington is one formidable defensive lineman who is being considered among the finest defensive linemen in college football, as evidenced by his preseason All-America honors by The Sporting News, Athlon Sports and Phil Steele. A true senior who has played in 47 games, Washington is a 29 game starter and a leader along the line. He has been in on 133 career tackles, including 24 tackles-for-loss and 12.5 quarterback sacks. Washington’s honors and accolades include being named honorable mention all-Big Ten Conference in 2014 and earning OSU Scholar-Athlete recognition in 2013. He is majoring in sport industry.
Other Seniors who will suit up for Ohio State one last time this Saturday in the Shoe include:
Chris Fong #70 DE
Jeff Greene #89 WR
Joel Hale #51 OL
Cameron Howard #15 DB
Jeffie Johnson #35 RB
Kato Mitchell #18 WR
Corey Smith #84 WR (Could get a medical RS though)
Cam Williams #55 LB
Jack Willoughby #98 K
This amazing group of players will go down as one of the greatest of all time for Ohio State.
They have been undefeated, won the most games in one season in Ohio State history (15 in 2014), and won Ohio State’s 8th National Championship in school history (2014).
As I mentioned earlier Ohio State does have a lot of juniors on the roster as well. These juniors can declare for the NFL draft after the season is over. We all know who they are and if they do decide this game will be their last in the Shoe we wish them nothing but the best.
So there you have it Ohio State fans, today should be very special in many, many ways.
I expect all fans to show the proper appreciation of everything these players have done for us!
The post Its so hard to say Goodbye appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...
Michael Smith via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Hello everyone and welcome again as I take a look at the amazing players that will be playing their last game at the Shoe today.
Almost lost in the hype of the big game on Saturday, as Michigan State comes into Columbus to take on The Ohio State Buckeyes is that it will be Senior Day. It will be the last game in the Shoe for a host of great talented players who will go down in Ohio State history.
Also Ohio State has many juniors who could after the season is over declare for the NFL draft so this could be the last game for them as well. No player has said for sure if they are going to the NFL draft early.
First here are the Seniors who will be playing their last game this Saturday no matter what.
Braxton Miller #1 HB/WR
To be honest, I might have to fight back some tears writing this part. Miller will go down as one of the most beloved Buckeyes to ever wear the Scarlet and Gray. We all know his story. He came to Ohio State as a duel threat QB. He was forced to start his freshman season due to Terrell Pryor declaring for the NFL supplemental draft. Ohio State only went 6-7 that year but Miller showed signs of his amazing talent. In Miller’s 2nd season Ohio State had a new coach in Urban Meyer who knew how to use Miller and it showed on the field. Ohio State went a perfect 12-0 but a Bowl ban prevented Ohio State from playing for a national championship. Miller finished 5th in the Heisman trophy voting for the season. In 2013 Miller led the Buckeyes to the Big 10 title game and Orange Bowl, but Ohio State lost them both. It was also known that Miller had a labrum tear in his shoulder after the Orange Bowl. He had surgery and was suppose to be ready for his Senior and last season in 2014. However, it wasn’t meant to be. He had another labrum tear just days before the season started and missed the entire 2014 season. After Ohio State won the National Championship it was rumored that Miller would transfer to any number of big time programs who needed a QB. Surprising them all, Miller agreed to change his position to WR and stay at Ohio State. Miller has had some big highlight plays in his career at Ohio State. So far his stats include 5,295 yards passing, 3,593 yards rushing, and 88 TDs. Truly one of the greatest Buckeyes ever.
Jacoby Boren #50 C
Jacoby is the latest in the line of Borens’ who made their impact at Ohio State. He has started at Center for Ohio State the last 2 seasons. He has played in every game possible since his Sophomore season. Jacoby Boren is an extremely intelligent young man of high character, he is one tough and physical football player on the practice and playing fields He entered his senior season on the “watch list” for the 2015 Rimington Trophy. Boren has been the first player taken during winter conditioning team “drafts” twice, an honor that rewards the team’s most accountable, toughest and competitive leaders. Boren is outstanding academically as well, earning second-team Academic All-America honors in December 2014. He is a two-time Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholar in (2014 and 2015) for having a grade point average above 3.70 for the prior academic years. The sustainable plant systems major is also a two-time Academic All-Big Ten Conference honoree and a four-time OSU Scholar-Athlete’
Taylor Decker #68 OL
Decker is one of my favorite Buckeyes. He’s just plain cool. I call him the human wrecking ball. Taylor Decker is the leader of an offensive line that has been one of the best in college football over his two seasons as a starter. A first-team preseason All-American by The Sporting News and Athlon Sports and second-team by Phil Steele. Decker is also a high-character individual and one of the most conscientious men on the squad. After hearing Decker speak one day following the terrible news surrounding a fallen teammate, one media member said Decker “handled himself with incredible poise with probably 50 media crowded around him looking for answers about Kosta Karageorge, and he patiently addressed them all with thoughtful, insightful responses that were incredibly helpful in painting a clearer picture of a player hardly any of us knew in any way”. His leadership is also represented in the fact he is a three-time “Iron Buckeye” award winner, which is awarded to six players bi-annually for unquestioned physical training dedication, determination, discipline, toughness and leadership. As one of the most experienced offensive linemen in the country, Decker has played in all 41 of Ohio State’s games the past three seasons and totaled over 2,300 offensive snaps. He has also started 39 consecutive games with the Buckeyes posting a 36-3 record in that time. Decker & Co. have helped pave the way for 38 individual 100-yard rushing games by six different Buckeyes in the last three years. Decker has also made time to intern the past two summers with the world famous Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.
Chase Farris #57 OL
Chase Farris became a starter along Ohio State’s offensive line in 2015. A fifth-year senior, this talented, athletic and team-first lineman has successfully switched from playing defense to offense to defense to offense, and his hard work — battling stars like Joey Bosa day-in and day-out — has paid off with coach Urban Meyer announcing in April that Farris would be the team’s starting right tackle. It was an earned promotion for Farris, who has impressive physical size and athleticism and who shouldn’t be looked upon as a rookie this year as he has played in 29 games for the Buckeyes, including all 15 last year.
A proud holder of a bachelor’s degree in sport industry, which he received in May, Farris spent one week in Costa Rica during the school’s May academic semester, distributing shoes to those in need as part of the “Soles 4 Souls” initiative.
Joshua Perry #37 LB
Joshua Perry is a force as a linebacker for the Buckeyes and as a conscientious and proactive team leader. A true senior, he is now a veteran of 49 games and 34 starts. He entered the season as a candidate for the Lott IMPACT Award, which honors athletic ability but also character attributes such as integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity. Perry’s Junior season he led the team in tackles, Perry is No. 1 on the team in career tackles and solo tackles and he’s within reach of a possible Top 10 standing — all-time — in career tackles at Ohio State with another productive year this year. A consumer and family financial services major, Perry interned during the 2015 May school session with M/I Homes and during the 2014 May session with Continental Realty. This past May he also went to Costa Rica as part of the “Soles 4 Souls” program and spent a week distributing shoes to those in need. He was an OSU Scholar-Athlete following the 2012-13 academic year and is on course to graduate in December. So far in his career he has 264 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks.
Tommy Schutt #90 DL
Tommy Schutt is one of those players that you need on a team. Maybe not the most talented, but works his butt off and loves to play the game. Schutt hadn’t seen much action in his Ohio State career but became a starter on the DL this his Senior season. So far this season he has 21 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. A three-year letterman, he is majoring in communications.
Nick Vannett #81 TE
Nick Vannett is a fifth-year senior who is a game-experienced and talented tight end. Physical, durable and a veteran of 50 games over the past 4 seasons, Vannett has started all 10 games for the Buckeyes this season. Vannett has 50 career catches for 554 yards and six touchdowns. His best season in which he established personal highs in catches (19), yards (220) and touchdowns (five) was his Junior year. He could end up Ohio State’s all-time tight end Top 10 in catches and yards, he is currently ninth in career TDs by a tight end with six. He is majoring in sports and industry and graduated on August 9, 2015.
Adolphus Washington #92 DL
Adolphus Washington is one formidable defensive lineman who is being considered among the finest defensive linemen in college football, as evidenced by his preseason All-America honors by The Sporting News, Athlon Sports and Phil Steele. A true senior who has played in 47 games, Washington is a 29 game starter and a leader along the line. He has been in on 133 career tackles, including 24 tackles-for-loss and 12.5 quarterback sacks. Washington’s honors and accolades include being named honorable mention all-Big Ten Conference in 2014 and earning OSU Scholar-Athlete recognition in 2013. He is majoring in sport industry.
Other Seniors who will suit up for Ohio State one last time this Saturday in the Shoe include:
Chris Fong #70 DE
Jeff Greene #89 WR
Joel Hale #51 OL
Cameron Howard #15 DB
Jeffie Johnson #35 RB
Kato Mitchell #18 WR
Corey Smith #84 WR (Could get a medical RS though)
Cam Williams #55 LB
Jack Willoughby #98 K
This amazing group of players will go down as one of the greatest of all time for Ohio State.
They have been undefeated, won the most games in one season in Ohio State history (15 in 2014), and won Ohio State’s 8th National Championship in school history (2014).
As I mentioned earlier Ohio State does have a lot of juniors on the roster as well. These juniors can declare for the NFL draft after the season is over. We all know who they are and if they do decide this game will be their last in the Shoe we wish them nothing but the best.
So there you have it Ohio State fans, today should be very special in many, many ways.
I expect all fans to show the proper appreciation of everything these players have done for us!
The post Its so hard to say Goodbye appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...