We’ve been going through a series here at Buckeyes Wire. It’s a debate on which Ohio State football player is the best to wear specific jersey numbers, and we’re cruising along, now up to jersey No. 14.
Before we get into all the fun, here’s an update on where we stand with the jersey numbers we’ve debated to date:
Jersey No. 1 | Jersey No. 2 | Jersey No. 3 | Jersey No. 4 | Jersey No. 5 | Jersey No. 6 | Jersey No. 7 | Jersey No. 8 | Jersey No. 9 | Jersey No. 10 | Jersey No. 11 | Jersey No. 12 | Jersey No. 13
We’re doing this because while the world is beginning to slowly open, we’re all a little stir crazy from cabin fever due to the measures put in place to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Thank goodness the world is slowly starting to reopen. Who knew we’d be anticipating a late night/early morning Korean baseball game just to get a look at live sports.
But we digress. In the long, illustrious history of Ohio State football, there is sure to be some disagreement, but that only makes it more fun.
We will continue to keep going along his journey through the summer and will have the results of all of these surveys further down the road.
Okay, Mark, take it away …
Next … Mark’s thoughts
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
Some very solid choices to pick from for best Buckeye ever to wear No. 14, but I’m going to go with one of the best quarterbacks to ever play at OSU… Bobby Hoying.
Hoying was a three-year starter and steadily improved every year. He was also part of one of the most prolific offenses in Ohio State history his senior year in 1995.
Maybe it was easy to be good when you had Orlando Pace blocking for you, Terry Glenn and Ricky Dudley to throw to, and Heisman Trophy winner, Eddie George in the backfield. But somebody has to get them the ball, and Bobby Hoying did just that.
Hoying would finish 10th in the Heisman voting behind George his senior season. When the final whistle blew on his career at Ohio State, he was only behind Art Schlichter in total passing yards. Not bad company to be in… at least on the gridiron.
Next … Phil responds
Contact/Follow Phil Harrison
I went back and forth behind Eric Kumerow and Bobby Hoying, but in the end, I have to agree with Mark. Hoying was the engine that made a very potent offense go in 1995 and is pretty high up the program list on passing stats at Ohio State — well before the spread offenses and uptempo style began to take hold.
He was a three-time All-Big Ten performer, and for much of the year in ’95, was in the Heisman discussion. He had an ability to go through his progressions and push the ball down the field right when Ohio State started to emerge under John Cooper.
Next … Brock’s final word
Contact/Follow Brock Netter
I am going to go in a little different direction. Position switches aren’t very frequent in college football, but they do happen from time to time.
Zach Boren from fullback to linebacker, Sam Hubbard from safety to defensive end, Pete Warner from safety to linebacker, and there’s more examples.
I say all of that because Eric Kumerow did the exact same, going from a quarterback to a linebacker, which turned out to be a great move on his part.
He ranks in the top seven in career sacks with 23. Oddly enough, one of his nephews is above him. A guy by the name of Joey Bosa. That’s solid bloodlines.
Kumerow was Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in 1986 and named first-team All-Big Ten, before getting drafted in the first round by the Miami Dolphins.
But I will throw in K.J. Hill’s name into the equation for best Buckeye to wear No. 14 as well. He is Ohio State’s all-time leader in career receptions with 201. Hill also hauled in 2,332 yards and 20 career touchdowns.
He improved year after year, saving his best season for his last.
It still blows my mind that Hill was a seventh-round pick. I sometimes think NFL GM’s don’t know what they’re doing, but hey, they’re making million dollar decisions and I’m just writing.
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