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. 22 as we count down toward 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 | Jersey No. 16 | Jersey No. 17 | Jersey No. 18 | Jersey No. 19 | Jersey No. 20 | Jersey No. 21
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 are often tough decisions to be made on things like these, but that makes it all the more fun.
We will continue to keep going along his journey through the summer and will have the results of all of the Twitter polls votes on further down the road.
Next … Mark starts it off
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
Let’s see… Bring Ohio State its first ever National Championship in 1942. Check. Give the Buckeyes their first ever Heisman Trophy winner. Check. Yep, only one man can claim the best to wear No. 22 in Ohio State History – Les Horvath.
When Horvath came to Ohio State, he only weighed 160 lbs. Can you imagine anyone that small playing major college football in today’s game?
Horvath played on both sides of the ball and did a little bit of everything. His stats aren’t eye popping compared to the gaudy numbers current players put up, but make no mistake, he was always one of the best athletes on the field. Mostly known as a runner, Horvath threw it some and even had a hand in the receiving game. He was also a leader in the defensive backfield.
Ironically, Horvath’s Heisman almost didn’t happen. Upon completion of the 1942 Nation Championship season, Horvath had completed his undergraduate degree and entered dental school in 1943. However, a wartime rule allowed colleges to use graduate students even if they had exhausted their four years of eligibility. After a poor showing in 1943, head coach Carroll Widdoes came calling.
Even after not playing in the 1943 season, Horvath didn’t miss a beat and would go on and win the 1944 Heisman Trophy.
He would go on to play professional football for the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Rams. Once his playing days were over, he practiced dentistry in California.
A truly unique story of one of the all-time greats to wear the Scarlet and Gray.
Next … Phil responds
Contact/Follow Phil Harrison
I can’t argue with this one at all. Anytime you bring home a national championship and Heisman Trophy in the same year, someone is going to have to do some otherworldly things to top it. And then, you start looking at the players that wore No. 22 and nobody comes close.
Just for voting purposes, we’ll put up running back Leo Hayden from the 1968-70. He was pretty good in his own right and was selected by the Vikings in the first round of the NFL draft.
There aren’t too many recent Buckeyes to even be a part of the conversation. So, it’s Horvath in a runaway really. He helped build the Ohio State brand into what it is today, and many more came through the tunnel in the Horseshoe because of the foundation he laid.
I wish I had more, but this one is pretty simple.
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