With the recent installments of our G.O.A.T. Ohio State football series, it got us thinking in a different direction. Who were the most electrifying players to don the Scarlet and Gray? You know, the guys who kept you on the edge of your Lazy-boy every Saturday.
They may not have made their positional G.O.A.T list, but they left us with some of the most memorable moments in Buckeye history. They were the guys who kept us shaking our heads, wondering what planet they came from, because no human could possibly do what they did.
With so many greats, we narrowed it down to five… and it was no easy task to shave the list that far down with the plethora of ultra athletes who have given us chills in the ‘Shoe. Here’s our top five ranked.
No. 5 … A running back waiting his turn
Curtis Samuel (2014-2016)
Curtis Samuel had to wait in line for his time to shine. Coming in as a freshman in 2014 left the Brooklyn, New York native firmly behind Ezekiel Elliott.
Highly touted out of high school, we all knew what Samuel could do and we got a small glimpse in back up duties and kick off returns early on. But it was after Zeke left for the NFL that the stars aligned.
Samuel burst onto the scene in the H-back/slot receiver position. He averaged almost eight yards per carry as a runner, but he took off catching passes hauling in 74 receptions in his final season with Ohio State.
With several quick slants turned into long races to the end zone, Samuel will be most remembered for some shifty moves as he weaved across the goal line, arms stretched wide, in a double overtime victory over TTUN. Electrifying? Yeah… that play was the loudest I’ve ever heard Ohio Stadium.
In at No. 4 … Love for Parris
Parris Campbell (2014-2016)
Parris Campbell just seems to glide effortlessly and it was beautiful to watch. Defenders constantly thought they had a good angle, only to see No. 21 move beyond reach.
Campbell was magician like, side stepping through the slightest of holes and once he saw daylight, it was goodnight sweetheart, because nobody was going to catch him.
Watch the jet sweep against the Maize and Blue from last years edition of The Game. Parris finds a hole. Parris turns the corner. Parris makes everyone else look like they’re moving in slow motion. Then again it was Michigan, so maybe they were.
Oh yeah, Campbell was clocked at 21.65 miles per hour on that play, which ironically, is almost identical to another Buckeye legend, gold medalist sprinter Jesse Owens. Let that sink it.
No. 3 … A blend of speed and power
Ezekiel Elliott (2013-2015)
Zeke will run through you, hurdle over you, drag you, or just flat out-run you. Ezekiel Elliott was a highlight waiting to happen. 85 yards through the heart of the south – anyone? Maybe my all time favorite Buckeye memory.
Elliott burst onto the scene as a sophomore, but he became a Buckeye legend in the post-season of 2014-2015. Zeke carried OSU with 696 rushing yards in wins over Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship, Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, and Oregon in the National Championship.
Zeke has the No. 2 and 3 best rushing seasons by a Buckeye, gaining over 1,800 yards, and a combined 41 rushing touchdowns all told as a starter. He also has five of the top 20 rushing performances in OSU history. Statistically speaking, it might be the best 2 year run of any OSU back ever.
Zeke had it all – speed, vision, hands and was great in pass protection. Want some more electrifying moments from No. 15? YouTube some of Elliott’s special teams moments as a freshman.
No. 2 on our list … A receiver with “special” appeal
Ted Ginn Jr. (2004-2006)
Ted Ginn Jr. had world class speed and made opposing defenders look like they were running in sand. Ginn was an excellent receiver hauling in passes from Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith for three seasons. But some of his most electrifying moments came on special teams.
Jim Tressel said the punt was the most important play in football. Maybe that happened to be his opinion because he had a guy like Ted Ginn Jr. returning kicks.
As a freshman, Ginn took four punts back for scores, most famously against Michigan, and two more over the rest of his career. Twice he ran kickoffs back for touchdowns, the most exciting of which came on the opening kick in the National Championship game against Florida.
Of course, we all remember Ginn had to leave the contest after the TD return when his teammates swarmed him in jubilation. I still say that game turns out completely different and 41-14 doesn’t happen if Ted Ginn Jr. isn’t injured there… but I digress.
No. 1 on our list… A QB with video game like moves
Braxton Miller (2011-2015)
For those of you who remember playing NCAA Football by EA Sports, you remember hitting the X button or using the analog stick to make your player juke an opponent out of their shoes. Dubbed XBrax360 (XBOX360) for his video game like moves, Braxton Miller was must see TV on Saturdays and tops on our list of most electrifying players in Buckeye history.
Miller moved at a different speed than everyone else. His straight line speed was superior, but it was the moves in the open field left fans in awe and opposing players simply embarrassed.
Just YouTube a highlight real of Braxton to reminisce. Whether it was the scramble Hail Mary to beat Wisconsin, the quarterback draw at Michigan, or the unbelievable spin move out of the backfield at Virginia Tech, it’ll leave you shaking your head. Even though you’ve seen them a hundred times, you’ll still be in disbelief.
Miller just did things most of us only dream about, or at least could only pull off on our game console. But it was real life for him and we can only imagine how good it would’ve felt, which is why it’s so electrifying for us.
So, we’ll keep watching and re-watching and savoring those moments that leave us in utter disbelief.
That’s our top five most electrifying players in OSU history. Got a different order? Did we leave someone off the list that should be there? Let us know your thoughts and who your top five are.
