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, moved on to jersey No. 2, and now it’s time to discuss jersey No.3.
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. 3.
Next … Mark’s thoughts
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
This isn’t going to be as tough as the first two. While there have been several Buckeye greats to wear No. 3… the conversation begins and ends with Mike Sensibaugh.
Sensibaugh was the “other” safety on the 1968 National Championship team. While most are familiar with Jack Tatum, Sensibaugh’s name isn’t as common, but it probably should be.
While Tatum was famous for his vicious hits, Sensibaugh was a master thief. You’ll still find the Cincinnati native in the record book for single-season interceptions at 9 during the 1968 championship season. He also holds the career mark for interceptions at 22… and remember, this is when Freshmen weren’t allowed to play on the varsity team.
On top of being a top tier defender, Sensibaugh was also the OSU punter. He even set a record in the 1969 Rose Bowl with 319 punting yards. Woody also used Sensibaugh’s skill set as a punt returner.
A three-year starter, two-time All-Big Ten selection, as well as All-American honors in 1970, Sensibaugh was the best ever to wear No. 3 in Ohio State history.
Next … Brock weighs in
Contact/Follow Brock Netter
The list of memorable Ohio State players to wear No. 3 is very, very slim. Which is sort of shocking, but none were better than Michael Thomas.
The nephew of NFL great and Super Bowl champion Keyshawn Johnson, Thomas led Ohio State in receptions in both 2014 and 2015, catching 18 touchdown passes in the process, which ranks eighth in program history.
With 1,602 career receiving yards to his name, he ranks inside the top 20 in Ohio State history in that category.
After playing sparingly as a true freshman in 2012 and redshirted in 2013 Thomas burst on the scene in 2014 with 54 catches for 799 yards and nine touchdowns that season, but we all remember the catch against Alabama in the 2015 Sugar Bowl.
Now as for which was better: the catch by Thomas or the throw from Evan Spencer, is a different subject for another day. But the fact remains that among all the No. 3’s at Ohio State, Thomas is the best.
I mean, you don’t get the nickname ‘Can’t Guard Mike’ for nothing.
Next … Phil wraps it up
Contact/Follow Phil Harrison
I think Mark and Brock identified the clear front-runners here, but I’m breaking the tie and going with Mike Sensibaugh. While Michael Thomas has blown up in the NFL, his college career was just really good, not spectacular.
Meanwhile, Sensibaugh was an All-American in 1970 and made All-Big Ten in 1969 and 1970. Mark has already told the tale of his ability to pick off the opposing quarterback, but it’s important to also note that Sensibaugh is a member of the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame, and was included on the Ohio State All-Century Team that was announced in 2000.
There may not be as many highlights and big hits compared to Jack Tatum, but Sensibaugh is an all-time great at Ohio State and just as valuable during quite the run during those years.
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