5 Best Ohio State NFL Players
Ohio State has sent more talent to Sundays than almost any program in the country. This list ranks five Buckeyes by what they did in Columbus, not by their pro stats. Every one of them left with hardware, records, or a season that fans still talk about.
1. Archie Griffin
Running Back · 1972 to 1975
Still the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice. Griffin ran for over 5,500 yards as a Buckeye and put together 31 straight games with 100 yards or more. He played in four Rose Bowls and never missed a beat, carrying the offense in an era when the run game was everything in Columbus.
2. Orlando Pace
Offensive Tackle · 1994 to 1996
Pace was so dominant that people invented a phrase for what he did to defenders. He won the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award twice and finished fourth in Heisman voting as a lineman, which almost never happens. He went first overall in 1997 and made the jump look easy.
3. Eddie George
Running Back · 1992 to 1995
George grew from a backup with a rough start into the 1995 Heisman winner. That senior year he ran for 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns, including a 314 yard afternoon against Illinois. He was durable, patient, and impossible to bring down with one tackler.
4. Chris Spielman
Linebacker · 1984 to 1987
Spielman played middle linebacker like his hair was on fire. He piled up 283 career tackles, won the Lombardi Award in 1987, and had a 29 tackle game against Michigan that reads like a typo. He set the tone for how Buckeye defenders are judged.
5. Troy Smith
Quarterback · 2002 to 2006
Smith won the 2006 Heisman by a landslide after throwing 30 touchdowns against six interceptions. He also went 3 and 0 against Michigan, which counts for plenty in Columbus. His mix of pocket poise and escape ability made him a nightmare to game plan for.
Who Just Missed the Cut
Cris Carter, Nick Bosa, Joey Bosa, Ezekiel Elliott, and Marvin Harrison Jr. all have a real case. Bosa and Elliott in particular put up huge numbers in short windows. The five above got the nod for sustained production and national awards during their college years.
Why Ohio State Keeps Producing Pros
The Buckeyes recruit at a national level and play a schedule that gets watched. Scouts see these players in prime time against real competition. That mix of talent and exposure keeps Columbus near the top of the draft board every single spring.
Test Yourself on Ohio State Players
Reading about them is one thing. Naming them on sight is another. CollegeGuessr shows you an NFL player and asks which college he came from. Build a streak, post your score on the Big Board, and see how your football knowledge holds up.