LB Coach James Laurinaitis (2x B1G DPOY, 2006 Nagurski, 2007 Butkus, 2008 Lott, 3x All-American, OSU HOF)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

The Game stokes Laurinaitis
Senior linebacker's ascent began his freshman season in a meeting with Michigan
Thursday, November 20, 2008 3:23 AM
By Tim May


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

NEAL C. LAURON | Dispatch
James Laurinaitis has gone 3-0 against Michigan during his time with Ohio State.





In what has been a "crazy fast" four seasons, Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis said he still remembers his first call to major duty.
He thought he knew what it took to play on the major college level, but then he was introduced to Michigan running back Mike Hart.
"Mike Hart blasted me," Laurinaitis said.
It came early in Ohio State's 2005 game at Michigan. As outside linebacker Bobby Carpenter hopped off the field because of a broken ankle, the defensive coaches screamed " Laurinaitis."
Then a freshman, the way he answered the call was not as the 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior of today, the man that NFL draft analysts project as an early first-round pick. In 2005, he was a three-star prospect who snubbed Minnesota in his home state in favor of learning from Carpenter, A.J. Hawk and Anthony Schlegel.

Continued...............

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

No Nagurski

Linebacker James Laurinaitis has gone from winning the Nagurski Trophy in 2006, to being a finalist but not winning in 2007, to not being named a finalist this season.
The award is given to the nation's top defensive player. The five finalists announced yesterday were Texas Christian end Jerry Hughes, Southern California linebacker Rey Maualuga, Texas end Brian Orakpo, Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith and Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes.

 

[xcrunner]

I've watched almost every Florida game and almost every Buckeye game and am admittedly incredibly biased... but Brandon Spikes above Laurinaitis?

 

[buckeyesrock56]

Hey

What about them bucks 9-2 right well i have to go nice talking to you.:osu:

 

[Oneshot]

These awards love big hitters.

EDIT: And James is not a big hitter.

 

[Pryor2Posey]

I've watched almost every Florida game and almost every Buckeye game and am admittedly incredibly biased... but Brandon Spikes above Laurinaitis?

The only thing Brandon Spikes can do better then JL, is punt. Granted I haven't seen JL punt, but Spikes drilled that ball.

 

[BB73]

Departing seniors were asked about their experience at tOSU.
dispatch

James Laurinaitis

Linebacker

Hamel, Minn. | Age: 21

Parting thought: "It's this experience, you come back for the journey (he could have left after last season for the NFL but returned for his senior year), no matter which way the journey goes. Each season is a journey, and there are memories that have happened this year that I am going to take with me the rest of my life. I have had so much fun this year with the guys and the experiences, and it will be so much fun to round this one up."

 

[BB73]

James talks about the rivalry in this video interview.

official.site.MediaPlayer/video

 

[CentralMOBuck]

11 Tackles and ABC's player of the game. Congrats on your last game ever at the shoe!

 

[Oneshot]

I completely rescind my last comment.

James can lay the fucking wood, man.

 

[GrizzlyBuck]

Way to end your career in the Shoe James, thanks for all the great memories and the class you brought to the S&G.

 

[xcrunner]

11 Tackles and ABC's player of the game. Congrats on your last game ever at the shoe!

What's amazing is that my following comment isn't even a joke...

But did he really only have 11 tackles?

It seems like he had about a million solos and another million assists. He was everywhere. BEAST!

 

[Beanie'sBeard28]

JL was constantly telling the crowd to get louder. He was totally feeding off the crowd. He was in EVERY play around the LOS. He truly is an animal. as well as an awesome person

 

[BuckeyeCrazy107]

You truly are an Animal. I will miss you dearly.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

Boy it seemed not too long ago that we offered this little-known recruit from Minnesota. AJ Hawk was one of the reasons he chose OSU if I remember right. Hopefully others will choose OSU because of Laurinaitis.