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Ohio State Football: Putting together the all-time Jim Tressel team

By Ryan Stano

Jan. 2, 2006; Tempe, AZ USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel holds the Fiesta Bowl trophy after the Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Matt Cashore
Jan. 2, 2006; Tempe, AZ USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel holds the Fiesta Bowl trophy after the Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Photo By Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2006 Matt Cashore /
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Maurice Clarett had the talent to be one of the best running backs in Ohio State football history. (Dispatch photo by Fred Squillante)Fs Fiesta 65
Maurice Clarett had the talent to be one of the best running backs in Ohio State football history. (Dispatch photo by Fred Squillante)Fs Fiesta 65 /

Ohio State Football All-Time Jim Tressel team, Running Back: Maurice Clarett

This was by far the toughest decision I had to make on the offensive side of the ball. Maurice Clarett played only one season for the Ohio State football team, but what a magical season it was. Clarett set a freshman rookie rushing record with 1,237 yards (since been broken) and had 18 touchdowns.

Clarett did all of that with a shoulder stinger injury that plagued him throughout most of the season. Had he not been hurt, he could have played an even more significant role on that 2002 national championship team. Clarett made some huge plays in that game.

Against Miami, Clarett had a touchdown in double-overtime that put the Buckeyes ahead for good. He also stole the ball away from Sean Taylor after he picked off Craig Krenzel and was running the other way with it in what ended up being the defining play of his career.

Unfortunately, this would be the only season he’d play. After a grievance with athletic director Andy Geiger, he was suspended for the entire 2003 season. He then tried to challenge the NFL’s eligibility rules and tried to enter the Draft after just one season. That ultimately failed.

We all know about the legal troubles he had too as he eventually spent a couple of years in jail. Since then, he has turned his life around and has made his living being a cautionary tale to others to not follow in his footsteps. I just wish all of that never happened.

It was between Clarett and Beanie Wells for me in this spot. The pure talent of Clarett, even though he didn’t get to use it all, was too much for me to pass up. Next, we head for the tight end position.

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