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 now up to No. 8.
Before we get into all the fun, here’s where we stand with all 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
We’re doing this because we know you’re bored looking at every square inch of your home. 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 you can watch. I mean Star Wars was great, but …
Anyway, 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 go as high as makes sense, or until we can no longer afford a haircut. We’ll have the results of all of these polls further down the road.
Mark, kick it off for us.
Next … Mark starts it off
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
I had to dig a little deeper for this one… but I’m riding with Devier Posey as the greatest Buckeye to wear No. 8. It seems like those who’ve worn this particular number have come to OSU with great promise only to not live up to expectations.
Devier Posey came to Ohio State 2008 with some big-time hype out of Cincinnati La Salle High School alongside another highly touted recruit out of Pennsylvania… Terrelle Pryor.
Pryor was thrust into the spotlight as a freshman, but it wasn’t until Posey was a sophomore that he became the favorite target of the OSU QB, hauling in 60 receptions and eight touchdowns. Posey followed that fantastic season up with another 53 receptions, averaging 16 yards per catch and seven touchdowns in 2011.
Then, tattoo-gate… which lead to the suspension of several high-profile Bucks, including Pryor and Posey. Pryor would never suit up for the Buckeyes again, while Posey came back for the final four games of his senior season.
Devier Posey would be drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft, but unfortunately had a less than stellar career. But it’s his stats while a Buckeye that put him on this list. And with few to choose from, Posey gets the nod.
Next … Brock’s follows
Contact/Follow Brock Netter
I’ll keep this one short and simple and agree with Mark. The winner for me as well as the best Buckeye to wear No. 8 is Devier Posey.
His senior season was cut short due to the infamous ‘TattooGate’ (as Mark mentions) that had college football fans rejoicing that the mighty Ohio State Buckeyes were going to fall off for one season.
But despite all of that, Posey was the Buckeyes’ top receiving threat and Terrelle Pryor’s go-to for a big play.
In addition to the numbers Mark points out, his career also included a touchdown catch in the fourth quarter against Oregon to clinch the Rose Bowl.
The NFL didn’t quite work out, he carved out a solid role in the CFL, which includes a Grey Cup title and Grey Cup MVP in 2017.
He also holds the record for the longest playoff touchdown catch, which earned him the MVP.
Next … Phil nails it down
Contact/Follow Phil Harrison
As Mark and Brock point out, this is a tough one. There’s no consensus All-American, First-Team All-Big Ten, Heisman finalist, or NFL stud to pick out of this group of players that wore the No. 8 at Ohio State.
I wanted to make a case for two quarterbacks under John Cooper — Stanley Jackson and Steve Bellasari — but they both were too inconsistent. They were both captains, but neither did enough, long enough for me to put in the top spot.
So, I have to agree that the answer here is Devier Posey. He was Ohio State’s top receiver in 2009 and 2010 and had big-play ability, scoring 15 touchdowns during that time.
He was the biggest field stretcher during that time and carved out a nice, solid career in Columbus.
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.
