We’ve been going through a series of debating what Ohio State football player is the best to wear specific jersey numbers. We started with jersey No. 1, and now we’re going straight to No. 2.
We know you’re bored of looking at every square inch of your home. My latest vacation consisted of climbing the stairs to the second story of my house and taking a tour of the guest bedroom. One of these days, I’ll save up enough to cross the attic off the bucket list.
We’re all getting a little stir crazy from being cooped up due to the measures put in place to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and there are only so many classic games I can dial-up and watch.
In the long, illustrious history of Ohio State football, there is sure to be some disagreement, but that only makes it more fun. We might just sling some mud at each other, but it’s all being done virtually like everything else.
We will continue to go as high as makes sense, or until we win an all-expenses-paid trip to the grocery store to get toilet paper.
We’ll keep the same order and let Mark kick things off with his vote for the best Ohio State football player to ever wear No. 2.
Next … kick if off Mark
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
The best to ever wear No. 2 in Ohio State football history? So many greats to choose from… but I’m going with Mike Doss.
I realize this may be an unconventional pick with so many greats, but I believe that the list of people who helped bring the Buckeyes back to national prominence go in this order, No. 1 – Jim Tressel and ironically, No. 2 – Mike Doss.
I still remember a tearful Mike Doss holding a press conference to announce he would not be leaving for the NFL just yet, but returning to Ohio State for his senior year to complete his education and help OSU win a National Championship. Doss was a leader the Silver Bullet defense needed on their march to an undefeated season. And boy, did he deliver to give us one of the most memorable Buckeye seasons ever! Tress promised to make us proud in 2001. Doss delivered in 2002.
Mike Doss earned All-Big Ten honors in 2000-2002. He would also be named an All-American in those same seasons making him, at the time, only the seventh three-time All-American in OSU history.
And who could forget the interception and 35-yard return to stun Miami in the second quarter of the Fiesta Bowl, setting up Ohio State’s first and game- tying score? Doss was selected as the Defensive MVP of the 2003 win over the Hurricanes that gave the Buckeyes their first national championship in 35 years.
We can argue stats all day long, but I don’t believe there has ever been a player to wear No. 2 that has done more for the program than Mike Doss.
Next … Brock’s answer
Contact/Follow Brock Netter
It isn’t as unconventional as you think Mark, because I agree with you. There are A TON of outstanding players in Ohio State history to don the No. 2. Some of them made little impact during their time as a Buckeye, but most of them turned out to be tremendous players who went on to have outstanding NFL careers.
Guys like Cris Carter, Shaun Gayle, Malcolm Jenkins, Ryan Shazier, Marshon Lattimore and shortly Chase Young along with J.K. Dobbins will make their presence felt on Sundays.
But for me personally, I’m going away from what others might say too, and in agreement with Mark, going back to 1999-2002 and picking Mike Doss.
Doss started the last two games of his freshman year back in 1999 and never saw the bench again as a Buckeye. From that point on, he was a three-time All-Big Ten and All-American selection as the Buckeyes went 35-15 during his tenure in Columbus.
He led the team in tackles in 2000 and 2001, stayed his senior year, collected 107 tackles along with a couple interceptions, including one in the Fiesta Bowl double-overtime victory over Miami for the National Championship.
Oh, he was named Defensive MVP as well.
He’s just the seventh player in Ohio State history to be a three-time All-American and ranks inside the top 10 in Ohio State history with 331 career tackles.
And that is why Mike Doss is the greatest No. 2 in Ohio State history, which says a lot considering some of the names I gave out earlier.
Next … Phil agrees with …
Contact/Follow Phil Harrison
I agree with neither one of you, though it’s true Doss is an all-timer and in the team picture as a matter of opinion. The jersey No. 2 is so full of great ones that it’s hard to pick, but I’m going with wide receiver Cris Carter.
Carter might very well be the most athletic wideout to ever play for the Buckeyes. He made several highlight reel, acrobatic catches during his three years in Columbus. He ran great routes, had great hands and unbelievable body control. He was a consensus All-American after his junior year, but lost his senior season due to the secret signing of an agent.
Then there’s the NFL. While careers at the next level don’t necessarily count towards great college career, the fact that Carter is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame speaks volumes for the type of player he was.
I’m going with CC on this one, but I don’t blame you if you pick Chase Young, Mike Doss, or J.K. Dobbins either.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.
We have a forum and message board now. Get in on the conversation about Ohio State athletics by joining the Buckeyes Wire Forum.
