10 Best Ohio State Buckeyes Football Players, Ranked

The Ohio State Buckeyes have been serious contenders for a national championship since betting online, including college football betting, became available.

With a program as prestigious as Ohio State, there have been countless phenomenal players to come through its ranks. 

Below, you’ll find my top 10 Buckeyes football players. 

Who Are the Best Buckeyes Football Players Ever?

1. Archie Griffin 

Not only is Griffin the best player in Ohio State history, but some could argue he’s the best college football player of all time. 

During his time at Ohio State, he rushed for 5,177 yards and 25 touchdowns; however, what sets him apart is that he is the only player to have ever won the Heisman Trophy award twice. He accomplished this impressive feat in back-to-back years in 1974 and 1975. 

Additionally, he was a two-time Walter Camp Award winner and a two-time unanimous All-American, among many other accolades. 

His No. 45 was retired by the Buckeyes, and he’s in the College Football Hall of Fame. 

2. Eddie George

Another running back on my list is George, who played for the Buckeyes and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. 

He ranks third all-time in Ohio State history in rushing attempts (683), fourth in rushing yards (3,768), and third in rushing touchdowns (44). 

These records were achieved despite having just 79 carries over his first two seasons at OSU. 

From there, in 1995, he went on to win the Heisman Trophy after rushing 328 times for 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also caught 47 passes for 417 yards and a score. 

Additionally, he won the Walter Camp Award, Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, was a unanimous All-American, and more. 

His No. 27 was retired by the program. 

3. Orlando Pace

While at Ohio State, Pace was a two-time Lombardi Award winner and a two-time unanimous All-American. Pace was also named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Freshman of the Year, and won the Outland Trophy. 

He played his way into being the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams and went on to have a Pro Football Hall of Fame career. 

Over his final two seasons as a Buckeye, Pace didn’t allow a single sack. 

4. Troy Smith

When you look at all-time statistics, Smith isn’t at the top, but he did a lot for Ohio State during his time.

He ranks ninth in school history in passing yards (5,720), is tied for seventh in passing touchdowns (54), seventh in total offence (6,888), and seventh in touchdowns responsible for (68). He also won the Heisman Trophy in 2006 and led the program to a national championship appearance. 

During his Heisman season, Smith threw for 2,542 yards, 30 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while rushing 62 times for 228 yards and a score. 

5. Chris Spielman

Currently an executive for the Detroit Lions, Spielman had what some may consider the best career for a defensive player at Ohio State. 

Spielman ranks third in school history in tackles (546). He won the Lombardi Award and Chic Harley Award, was a three-time first-team All-Big Ten member, and was also a first-team unanimous All-American. 

He’s enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. 

6. Jack Tatum

Playing safety for the Buckeyes, Tatum’s stats are hard to come by due to the era he played in, but you don’t earn the nickname “The Assassin” for no reason. Tatum was a hard-hitting safety who often covered the opposing team’s best wide receiver. This is unconventional, but Tatum’s style made it a long day on the field for any opponent. 

He won two national championships while with Ohio State in 1968 and 1970, was a two-time unanimous All-American, and received three first-team All-Big Ten nods. 

He was the Defensive Player of the Year in 1970 and received Heisman Trophy votes that season. 

Tatum is enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. 

7. Ezekiel Elliott

Elliott played for the Buckeyes for three seasons, but saw significant action in only two of them. 

He ranks third all-time in school history in rushing yards (3,961) and is tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns (43). 

In 2014, he was a key component in the team’s national championship win, including being named MVP of the game after rushing 36 times for 246 yards and four touchdowns. 

In his final two seasons with the Buckeyes, he had no fewer than 1,821 rushing yards and 18 rushing scores in either campaign. 

8. A.J. Hawk

Hawk ranks fifth all-time in Ohio State history with 394 tackles. He was part of the 2002 national championship team and came into his own in 2004 and 2005. 

In those years, he won the Lombardi Award (2005) and Jack Lambert Trophy (2005), was a unanimous All-American (2005), a consensus All-American (2004), and was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2005).

9. Chic Harley

Spinning back the clock over 100 years, Harley, a halfback and wingback, was responsible for leading the Buckeyes to their first-ever Big Ten championship. 

Additionally, he was a three-time consensus All-American (including Ohio State’s first-ever consensus All-American), a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, and his No. 47 was retired by the school.

Across 24 games, Harley was responsible for 201 points. 

10. Joey Bosa

A member of the 2014 national championship team, Bosa also ranks fourth in program history with 26 sacks. 

More than half of those sacks came in that championship campaign when Bosa registered 13.5 of them in 15 games, along with 55 total tackles, 21.5 tackles for a loss, and four forced fumbles. A unanimous All-American that season, Bosa was also named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and won the Bill Willis Trophy.