By now you’re bored. So are we. 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 to cross the attic off the bucket list.
We’re all getting a little stir crazy from being cooped up due to all 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.
So, we decided to start a series here on Buckeyes Wire and take a look at the best football player to ever wear a particular jersey number. Yes, in the long, illustrious history of Ohio State football, there’ sure to be some disagreement on this one, but that only makes it more fun.
So, we’re starting low, with No. 1 and 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.
All jokes aside, stay safe and be there for each other. We start this thing off with Mark who will debate what OSU football player best wore the numero uno.
Next … Mark tells you who is number one
Contact/Follow Mark Russell
Well, I may be a little premature here, but I’m going with Justin Fields. I know, I know… he’s only had one full season in the Scarlet and Gray, but what a season it was! Anyone else on this list a Heisman Finalist?
What Fields was able to do after transferring to OSU is simply mind boggling. Learning a completely new offense while earning the respect of his teammates is no easy feat. And to do it at the level at which he did? Nothing short of impressive.
Assuming the 2020 season still happens, Fields will look to build on a season that saw 41 touchdowns to only 3 interceptions. Let that sink in.
Once that happens, I don’t think there will be any question who was the best to ever wear No. 1 along the banks of the Olentangy.
Next … Brock’s No. 1 answer
Contact/Follow Brock Netter
For me, there are only two options for the best No. 1 in Ohio State history. It’s either Jeff Okudah or Tom Skladany in mu opinion.
Although I never saw Skaldany play because he was a Buckeye from 1973-76, he was the team’s punter and kicker. He was a two-time All-Big Ten and three-time first-team All-American selection, and still holds the school record for the longest field goal in school history at 59 yards. Additionally, his 42.7 yard per punt average ranks fifth in school history.
While yes he was a punter and kicker, which has less value on its face than a corner like Okudah, Skaldany gets my vote slightly.
Next … Phil tries to settle it
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Okay, I’ll have to break the tie I guess. Or will I go with Okudah and make it a three-way tie? Nah. My answer is also Justin Fields. I agree it’s hard to fathom a guy with just one year under his belt as one of the greatest to play, but there’s a guy like Dwayne Haskins that will probably get consideration down the road right? Aside from a cup of scarlet and gray coffee at Michigan, he was a huge, successful, one-hit-wonder.
So was Fields, at least so far.
The kid gets a ton of publicity for being a dual-threat guy, but sometimes that overshadows his ability to throw the ball. Mark is right on point. For him to come into a brand-new offense and not only pick it up like he did, but to operate at such a high-level is simply amazing.
He put up some pretty gaudy stats, and had Ohio State not blown so many teams out, or played through injury at the end of the year, he could have put up even more ridiculous numbers. He can make all the throws, is more accurate than he gets credit for, and if there is a season in 2020, is going to have a really good chance at winning the Heisman.
Even if we’ve seen the last of Fields, he still gets my nod for the best to wear No. 1 in his short time in Columbus.
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