Ten best Ohio State Football NFL careers
By Ryan Stano
8. Randy Gradishar
Not many people around here remember Randy Gradishar. He played for the Ohio State football team from 1971-73 under Woody Hayes. Woody called him the finest linebacker he’s ever coached. If you get that kind of praise from Woody, then you did some things right.
He was a consensus All-American in 1972 and a unanimous All-American in 1973. After his time with the Buckeyes, he was a first-round pick by the Denver Broncos. Gradishar played his entire ten-year career with the Broncos and was probably their best defender on the team.
Gradishar was a seven-time Pro Bowl player. He was also named Second-team All-Pro three times and was a First-team All-Pro twice. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1978. Gradishar is in Denver’s Ring of Honor as well as being on Ohio State’s All-Century Team.
Gradishar might still get into the NFL Hall of Fame as well. He is a finalist for the 2024 class, so he could still get in by the time the Super Bowl rolls around. I think that would be a well-deserved honor for someone as good as he was. I bet he gets in.
The next player on our list is someone who has played football a little more recently than Gradishar but is also still looking for that Hall of Fame nomination.