Ohio State Football: 5 Star Proves Worthy of His Ranking

Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 77-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 77-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ohio State middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan lived up to the expectations.

The 2014 Ohio State recruiting class was the nation’s third best according to the 247Sports Composite, but there was only one 5 star recruit. That was Raekwon McMillan, and he went on to prove he was worthy of that high ranking. 

It was obvious when McMillan was just an early enrollee he could be a special player. He told others not to consider him a 5 star recruit, but a freshman trying to learn how to become a good college football player. What a great attitude to have when beginning your college football career.

In the spring game, McMillan showed his potential on successive plays when the offense was threatening to score. First he stopped a running  back short of the goal line on a run between the tackles. On the next play, he caught the ball carrier near the sideline and forced a fumble that went for a touchback. Not bad for a kid who should still have been in high school getting ready for the prom.

Then during the 2014 season, McMillan was everything you could ask for as a true freshman linebacker. He saw playing time from game one but coach Luke Fickell allowed him to grow into the position gradually. By season’s end, McMillan and senior Curtis Grant formed a strong one-two combo in the middle during Ohio State’s run to the National Championship.

As a sophomore, McMillan became the full-time middle linebacker with Grant graduating. He registered 119 tackles, up from 54 the previous year, and was voted first team All-Big Ten by the media.

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Soon after Ohio State defeated Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, Urban Meyer named McMillan a captain to lead the young Buckeye defense in the 2016 season. His stats were down somewhat early last year as he was essentially a coach on the field, with eight new starters including the linebackers playing beside him.

Once the Ohio State defense gelled, his numbers picked up and McMillan finished the season strong. He tallied 102 tackles, and for his efforts he was named first team All-Big Ten by the coaches and the media. He was also named second team All-American by the Associated Press, and was a semifinalist for the Butkus Award given to the top linebacker in college football.

Raekwon will now be accomplishing the last thing Urban Meyer expects from a top-tier recruit, to move on to the NFL. That’s because he has already lived up to the other expectations.

Coach Meyer wants a player to make a contribution as a true freshman. Then continue to improve for the next couple of years while becoming a leader. McMillan has certainly checked those boxes in his Ohio State career hasn’t he?

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In fact, Raekwon McMillan did everything Urban Meyer expected of him in his playing days for Ohio State. And in the process, he became a role model for every player who will follow him. So I would say the Buckeye middle linebacker proved he was worthy of his 5 star ranking, wouldn’t you?