The Opening Drive 6/2: More Buckeyes in the College Football Hall of Fame?
Cris Carter and AJ Hawk look to join 37 other Buckeyes in Atlanta.
Ohio State currently has 37 members of the College Football Hall of Fame. 29 players and 8 coaches. 2 more former Buckeyes are now hoping to join the fraternity. Linebacker AJ Hawk and wide receiver Cris Carter will both be on the 2027 ballot.
All He Does is Catch Touchdowns
Carter could be considered to have been a “before his time” player, both on and off the field. His outstanding career came to a less than stellar completion due to the combination of a suspension for marijuana usage and then being deemed ineligible, for signing with an agent in 1987. Carter’s on the field career was full of accolades. A 2-time All Big Ten performer, Carter was also a consensus All-American in 1986. He would have most likely been a unanimous All-American had he played in 1987. His stat line for his time in Columbus reads as follows, 164 receptions for 2,725 yards and 27 touchdowns. Those numbers may not seem overly impressive, especially given the numbers receivers put up today, but in the 80’s those numbers were next level.
His success at OSU set the table for a Hall of Fame career in the National Football League. Playing 15 seasons for the Eagles and Vikings he collected 1,101 grabs for almost 14,000 yards and 130 touchdowns. He made multiple pro bowls and led the league in touchdown catches on 3 different occasions. While his NFL numbers and career have no bearing on his selection to the College Football Hall of Fame, it just goes to show you that he was the real deal for his era.
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The “Mane” in the Middle
AJ Hawk came to Columbus as part of a recruiting class that was one of the best in the country, and full of household names for Buckeye fans. The Centerville Elk was a 2-time All American, including being a unanimous one in 2005. He also won the Lombardi in 2005 along with being a 3-time All Big Ten Performer. He collected nearly 400 tackles in college, to go with 41 TFL’s, 15 sacks, and 7 interceptions.
He would become a first round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers, before playing for multiple other teams at the end of his NFL tenure. You can find him on the Pat McAfee show these days.
I don’t know that both of these guys will get in this year, but I think one will do. That would extend OSU’s streak to 4 straight years of having an inductee.
What Other Buckeyes Would They Be Joining?
Reading over the list of names that are in the College Football Hall of Fame is somewhat eye opening, mostly because there are names that a lof of us fans probably feel are missing. Here is the list of former OSU players and coaches that are currently enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Former Players with the years they played in parentheses, courtesy of the official Ohio State Buckeyes website.
James Laurinaitis LB (2005-08)
Chris Ward, OT (1974-77)
Michael Doss, SAF (1999-02)
Keith Byars, RB (1982-85)
Tom Cousineau, LB (1975-78)
Orlando Pace, LT (1994-96)
Eddie George, RB (1992-95)
Chris Spielman, LB (1984-87)
Rex Kern, QB (1968-70)
Jim Houston, E (1957-58)
Jack Tatum, DB (1968-70)
John Hicks, OT (1970, 72-73)
Randy Gradishar, LB (1971-73)
Bob Ferguson, FB (1959-61)
Jim Stillwagon, DT (1968-70)
Aurealius Thomas, G (1955-57)
Archie Griffin, RB (1972-75)
Warren Amling, G/T (1944-46)
Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, RB (1952-55)
Gomer Jones, C (1934-35)
Jim Daniel, T (1939-41)
Vic Janowicz, HB (1949-51)
Gust Zarnas, G (1935-37)
Jim Parker, G (1954-56)
Gaylord Stinchcomb, HB (1917-20)
Bill Willis, T (1942-44)
Les Horvath, QB (1940-42, 44)
Wes Fesler, E 1928-30)
Chic Harley, HB (1916-17, 19)
The Coaches:
Urban Meyer (2012-18)
Jim Tressel (2001-10)
John Cooper (1988-2000)
Earle Bruce (1979-87)
Woody Hayes (1951-78)
Francis Schmidt (1934-40)
John Wilce (1913-28)
Howard Jones (1910)
Buckeye Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.
