It’s that time of year again. It might be a quiet time for college football in-between spring ball and fall camp, but that doesn’t mean there’s not off-the-field stuff to take note of.
In this case, the National Football Foundation has released its nominees for the 2020 College Football Hall of Fame class, and there are some Buckeyes being considered as usual. Former running back Keith Byars is once again on the ballot along with former offensive lineman Chris Ward.
Byars played for Earl Bruce from in the mid-eighties and came within a whisker of winning the Heisman Trophy in 1984 when he ran for over 1,700 yards and scored 24 touchdowns. If not beset by injury the following season, he would have potentially been second on the OSU career rushing list. He’s still No. 7 of all position players as it stands today.
Ward was a two-time All-American in Columbus under Woody Hayes. He was selected as the No. 4 overall pick by the New York Jets.
New to the ballot is a recent name Buckeye fans will no doubt have fond memories of. James Laurinaitis was a three-time all-american linebacker at Ohio State, won the Butkus Award (2007), Bronco Nagurski Trophy (2006), and the LOTT Trophy (2008). He was a two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
For all the great names that have come through the tunnel on the banks of the Olentangy, only twenty-five Ohio State players are enshrined in the Hall. The last player to have his name called was former linebacker Tom Cousineau in 2016.
The 2020 Hall of Fame class will be announced in January of 2020, so there’s plenty of time to discuss and debate.
