Ohio State Football: Two Buckeyes nominated for College Football Hall of Fame

The Ohio State football program has a long tradition of having excellent players. There’s a reason that they have had the most first-round draft picks of any college program in history. They have the third-most wins in the history of college football as well.

Many of their players have been honored in the past. Two more former Ohio State football players have a shot to be honored with the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame ballots coming out today. Both Buckeyes are certainly deserving of this award.

Chris Ward is one of the Buckeyes nominated. He was on the offensive line for those great teams of the mid-to-late 1970s. He was a two-time First-Team All-American and a three-time First-Team All-Big Ten selection as well. Before Orlando Pace came around, he was the best offensive tackle in Ohio State history.

The other Buckeye who has a chance to be a Hall of Famer is current Buckeye staffer James Laurinaitis. He was an absolute animal in the mid-2000s. Lauriniaitis was a three-time First-Team All-American from 2006-08. He also brought home a bunch of trophies.

Laurinaitis won the Jack Lambert Trophy given to the best linebacker in the country twice. He won the Lott Trophy in 2008 and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2007. He was also named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2007 and 2008.

Both former Buckeyes have compelling resumes to get nominated into the Hall of Fame. Because of recency bias, I think Laurinaitis has a better shot to get in. He has a case to be named the best linebacker in program history by putting together his entire resume too.

We’ll see what the results end up being. I’d love to see these guys get in. They would definitely be celebrated by the football program at some point during the season as well if they get in.