Ten best Ohio State Football NFL careers
By Ryan Stano
7. Eddie George
The 1995 Heisman Trophy winner, Eddie George was one of the best Ohio State football players ever. He was quick and strong and always hit the hole hard. That didn’t change when he got into the NFL after he was drafted in the first round by the Tennessee Titans while they were still the Houston Oilers.
George would play his entire career with that franchise except for his final year and did some really good things for them. He was the 1996 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after he ran for 1,368 yards and 8 touchdowns to go along with 23 catches for 182 yards. He was a dynamic player right from the start.
George was named to the Pro Bowl four times in a row and was also named Second-team All-Pro in 1999 and First-team All-Pro in 2000. He is in the Titans’ Ring of Honor and has his jersey retired by both the Titans and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
It’s wild that George rushed for over 1,000 yards in every year of his career except his last in 2004. He was also incredibly durable throughout his NFL career, playing in every game except for three. He ran for at least four touchdowns in every season as well.
George is a semi-finalist for the Hall of Fame in this year’s class, so he could get that nod as well. He’s got some tough competition among the other 24 nominees so we’ll see if he gets in. To be named a semi-finalist is still a major accomplishment though.
The next player on our list could have been even better if not for some personal tragedy and injuries.