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. 9. It should be a good one.
Before we get into all the fun, here’s an update on 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 | Jersey No. 8
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. Help us out by voting below as usual.
Mark, let’s roll …
Next … Mark starts it off
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
Gotta be David Boston, right? I’ll preface that by saying I believe that Devin Smith is right there and made some absolute highlight-reel plays while at OSU and was a huge part of the 2014 national title run. However, I think what David Boston did over the course of his entire career gives him the edge.
Boston re-wrote the record books for wide receivers while at Ohio State which included receptions in a season, receptions in a game, receptions in a career, and more.
When I think of David Boston, two memories come to mind. One was catching the winning touchdown in the Rose Bowl as a freshman, and the other was going toe to toe with Charles Woodson. The first memory is a little better than the latter. Of course, Boston would get a bit of revenge against TTUN a year later.
David Boston did some things that made you go “wow!” and some others that made you go “what are you thinking?” But in the end, Boston is the best to ever wear the No. 9 in the scarlet and gray.
Next … Phil’s take
Contact/Follow Phil Harrison
I agree. I don’t know that you can really make a case for anyone else, though Devin Smith might be the best big-play receiver in program history. The simple truth is that statistically speaking, Boston is the best wide receiver to ever play at Ohio State.
He came in as a freshman and made an immediate impact. During his three years on the banks of the Olentangy, he set or tied 12 OSU receiving records (a couple have since fallen). He had a program-record thirteen 100 yards or more games in his career.
His 1998 season was one for the ages. He ended up being a First Team All-American and probably should have gotten more consideration for the Biletnikoff Award that goes to the country’s best receiver annually.
What’s even more fun? Boston lit up the Michigan secondary in 1998, hauling in 10 receptions for 231 yards and two touchdowns. His last game in a Buckeye uniform resulted in Sugar Bowl MVP honors in a win over Texas A&M.
Simply put, I don’t know how you pick anyone else besides Boston.
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