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. 16 as we count down towards the hopeful start of college football in 2020.
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 | Jersey No. 14 | Jersey No. 15
We’re all a little stir crazy from being locked down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but as things begin to open, it’s still fun to debate Buckeye football history 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. For now though, get your voice heard by voting in our Twitter poll:
Okay, let’s go …
Next … Mark’s kicks it off
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
I know this will probably be an unpopular opinion and with all due respect to J.T. Barrett, my choice for best ever to wear No. 16 in Ohio State history is Circle K… Craig Krenzel.
Barrett undoubtedly has the better career stats, but it just seems to me that Krenzel came up with the big plays when the Buckeyes needed him the most over and over again.
Everyone remembers “Holy Buckeye” against Purdue, but how about Krenzel’s performance a week later against Illinois in an overtime win? A 50-yard strike to Michael Jenkins. A Houdini like escape to secure a first down. Krenzel made plays like these every week when it mattered the most.
Craig Krenzel wasn’t flashy and certainly there were more talented players, but I don’t know if I remember a player doing more with less and making the most of his opportunities. Add in a national championship in 2002, again where he did the right things at the right times, and I’m giving Craig Krenzel the nod as best ever to wear No. 16 at Ohio State.
Next … Brock’s responds
Contact/Follow Brock Netter
No, no. It’s got to be Joe Thomas Barrett IV.
This is easy. An All-American. A three-time First-team All-Big Ten selection. National Champion. The only 4-0 starting quarterback against TTUN.
Oh yeah, and the Big Ten’s leader in all-time touchdowns. He also holds 25 Ohio State records.
And not to be outdone, Barrett is the only three-time captain in Ohio State football history for what it’s worth. It’s just a matter of time before No. 16 is retired in Barrett’s honor.
Next … Phil’s final take
Contact/Follow Phil Harrison
Boy, Mark makes a compelling argument. You could easily make the case that nobody meant more to his Ohio State team in some very big moments than Krenzel did. He’ll always been remembered and revered in Columbus.
But I don’t know how I can go against the leadership and statistical mountain of evidence J.T. Barrett can sling out there. He rewrote the Big Ten and Ohio State career passing records and had unparalleled toughness.
It’s a shame he never won a national title as a starter, but he had his fingerprints all over the 2014 team that did. Also, the fact that Michigan will hate him for the spot in 2016 has to count for something right?
He wasn’t the most accurate or talented quarterback to ever play at Ohio State, but his competitiveness, drive, and leadership resulted in one of the best to ever come through the tunnels on the banks of the Olentangy.
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