Who is the next Ohio State Buckeye to have their number retired?

RB Ezekiel Elliott (2013-2015). Zeke’s #15 may be a popular answer by fans. Elliott was perhaps the biggest star on the 2014 National Championship team. He finished his college career with the third-most rushing yards in OSU history and the fourth most rushing touchdowns. Zeke also had five games with over 200 yards rushing. Had Elliott stayed for his senior season, he may have become the all-time leading rusher in Ohio State history.

RB J.K. Dobbins (2017-2019). Speaking of great running backs, J.K. Dobbins had one of the most impressive careers in Ohio State history. Dobbins finished second in most career rushing yards, behind two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin, and is Ohio State’s only player to ever rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season (2,003 yards in 2019). While Dobbins did not win a Heisman like Archie Griffin or Eddie George, a very strong argument could be made for J.K. to have his #2 honored.

QB Dwayne Haskins (2017-2018). Haskins started just one season for the Buckeyes and shattered nearly every single-season Big Ten record in the books. Haskins has the most single-season passing touchdowns (50), pass completions (373), and passing yards (4,831).

Prior to Haskins’ arrival in Columbus, just one Ohio State quarterback had thrown for over 400 yards in one game. Haskins did it five times in one season. While Dwayne Haskins may be the best pure passer Ohio State has ever had, playing just one full season will not get his #7 honored. Maybe just one more season in Columbus and the case could be made.

Could a defensive player have their number honored? Bill Willis is the lone defensive player to have his number retired at Ohio State- who could join him?

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DE Chase Young (2017-2019) immediately comes to mind, after his historic Ohio State career. Young finished fourth in Heisman voting in 2019, and led all of college football in sacks (16.5) and forced fumbles (7). We may never see a more dominating defensive player than Chase Young, how many times do you see a defensive end get double or triple-teamed but still rack-up 16.5 sacks?

While both Nick and Joey Bosa had phenomenal college careers, no one has been at the level Chase Young was at. While it is rare for a defensive player to have their number honored, I don’t think anyone would object if Ohio State decided to hang up Young’s #2.

QB Justin Fields (2019-Present): It may be weird to think about a current player having the number honored, and of course it would be a few years until it happened. But if Justin Fields can follow up his incredible 2019 season with a Heisman or a National Championship, I believe his #1 will inevitably be honored one day.

After just one season, Fields is already ninth in career passing touchdowns at Ohio State with 41, which is good for second-most in a single season. While Fields will have to play in a shortened 2020 season, I still expect him to fill up stat sheets as he chases a National Championship and a Heisman trophy.

Ryan Day has called the 2020 team a “once-in-a-lifetime” squad. If that holds true and Justin Fields is the leader of the team, his legacy at Ohio State will be cemented. If it hasn’t been already.