Ohio State Football: A look at three Buckeye greats up for the HOF

It’s not surprising former Ohio State football players are up for the College Football Hall of Fame this year and all are deserving of the honor.

Three former Ohio State football players are among those being considered to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this year. James Laurinaitis, Michael Doss and Chris Ward are on the list for the prestigious honor.

All three are deserving of the honor and I’ll take a look at each beginning with the last to wear Scarlet and Gray.

Linebacker James Laurinaitis was a three-time Consensus All- American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year twice. He was awarded the Bronko Nagurski award winner in 2006, won the Butkus Award in 2007 and the Lott Trophy in 2008.

Among the many great Ohio State football players of all time, the “Little Animal” was one of the most decorated.

Anybody who watched Michael Doss play knows full well he was one of the great safeties ever to play college football. I’m not sure any player on the back end of the defense has ever been better defending the pass and the run.

Doss was certainly deserving of being named a three-time All American and Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2002. He was a big reason why the Ohio State football team won the national championship that season.

Chris Ward was another of Woody’s great tackles. He was named first-team All American twice and was the No. 4 pick in the 1978 NFL Draft.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the big left tackle play as often as I would have liked. About the time Ward was making an impact I had joined the Navy and was a little busy. But I do remember him being a great player.

Now, these three players are in the mix to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. All are deserving and I hope one or more will and join the many Buckeyes who have received that honor.