Ohio State Football: Notable Walk-Ons through out the years

What is a walk-on? A walk-on is a player who becomes a part of the team without getting an athletic scholarship. There’s also a preferred walk-on, this is a player who a coach is interested in and usually has to try out. These players have a good chance to get an athletic scholarship. Today we will cover some walk-ons, or preferred walk-ons, that stood out on The Ohio State Football team.

The first player is, Zach Boren! Boren was a walk-on player for Ohio State. At first, he played fullback but later switched to linebacker. He played from 2009-2012. As a fullback, he helped lead the way for star running back Carlos Hyde, and as a linebacker, he was known for his hard hits and tenacity. Boren was eventually named a team captain and played a significant role in Ohio State’s success during his tenure.

He played for three different teams in the NFL, the Texans, Chargers, and Titians. After around three to four years in the NFL, he became a free agent and never got signed. Now he works with his brother in a snow and ice management company in Columbus, Ohio.

Terry Glenn walked on to Ohio State. He was a highly regarded wide receiver from Columbus, Ohio. He attended Ohio State from 1993 to 1995. Glenn’s college career was remarkable, and he was known for his exceptional speed, route-running ability, and sure hands. In his sophomore year, he exploded onto the scene, setting the Ohio State single-season receiving record (This is now held by Jaxon Smith-Njigba) with 64 receptions for 1,411 yards and 17 touchdowns.

Glenn’s impressive performance earned him the prestigious Fred Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s best wide receiver, in 1995. After a successful college career, he entered the 1996 NFL Draft and was selected seventh overall by the New England Patriots. He enjoyed a productive NFL career, playing for the Patriots, Packers, and Cowboys, among other teams, before retiring in 2007.

Nate Ebner is a safety and played special teams. In 2009, Nate Ebner decided to pursue his football dreams and joined the Ohio State Buckeyes football team as a walk-on. He was determined to prove himself and earn a spot on the team through hard work and determination.

Throughout his college career, Nate Ebner became an invaluable asset to Ohio State’s special teams. His speed, athleticism, and fearlessness made him a standout performer on the field. He was known for his tenacity and ability to make game-changing plays on special teams, including key tackles, forced fumbles, and blocked kicks.

Finishing us off today is Antonio Smith. Smith was a defensive back at Ohio State in 2002. He displayed extraordinary determination and talent. Despite not being offered a scholarship, he earned his spot on the team through tryouts and quickly became a standout back.

Known for his speed, agility, and natural instincts, Antonio’s hard work and dedication caught the attention of coaches and teammates alike. Throughout his time with the Ohio State football program, he proved to be an invaluable asset, contributing on special teams and earning play time in crucial games. He went on to play in the NFL for a couple of teams such as the Colts, Lions, Chargers, and Bengals. He called it quits in 2010 and went on to work in an engineering firm.

All of these guys did great things for the Ohio State football program. They should be remembered very fondly by Ohio State football fans.