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Ohio State football is one of the most dominant programs in college football history.
With over 975 wins, eight national championships, and more than 500 players selected in the NFL Draft, the Buckeyes have built a legacy of excellence.
This article ranks the top 15 most famous Ohio State football players according to Sporting Post, athletes who left their mark on college football and went on to star in the NFL.
If you're looking for the best Ohio State players of all time or want to know which Buckeyes made it big in the NFL, this list covers it all.
No conversation about famous Ohio State football players starts without Archie Griffin. He’s the only player in college football history to win two Heisman Trophies (1974, 1975). Griffin led the Buckeyes to four Big Ten titles and rushed for 5,177 yards, still a school record. He later spent seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
✓ Why it matters: Griffin redefined consistency and excellence in college football.
George had a breakout senior year, rushing for 1,927 yards and 24 touchdowns to win the 1995 Heisman Trophy. He finished his Buckeye career with 3,768 yards and went on to rush for over 10,000 yards in the NFL, mostly with the Tennessee Titans.
✓ NFL success: Four-time Pro Bowler and 1996 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
A dominant force on the offensive line, Pace won back-to-back Lombardi Awards and was the 1996 Outland Trophy winner. He didn’t allow a single sack in his final two seasons at OSU. Drafted No. 1 overall in 1997, he became a seven-time Pro Bowler and a Hall of Famer.
✓ Legacy: Widely considered one of the best offensive linemen in football history.
Carter was the first Buckeye receiver to earn All-American honors and graduated with 150 receptions. He ranks among the top 10 all-time in NFL history for receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
✓ NFL impact: Hall of Famer with 130 career touchdown catches.
Known as “The Assassin,” Tatum was a feared safety and helped lead Ohio State to the 1968 national championship. He earned All-American honors twice and recorded 37 interceptions during his 10-year NFL career.
✓ Fear factor: One of the most intimidating defensive backs of all time.
Smith won the 2006 Heisman Trophy and led Ohio State to a national championship appearance that same season. He threw for over 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns in his award-winning campaign.
✓ What stood out: A dual-threat leader in one of the program’s strongest years.
Elliott was the engine of Ohio State's 2014 national title run, rushing for 246 yards and four touchdowns in the championship game. He totaled 3,961 rushing yards in just two seasons as a starter.
✓ NFL note: Drafted No. 4 overall in 2016; led the NFL in rushing twice.
Bosa was the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 and helped Ohio State win the national title. He finished his college career with 26 sacks and 51 tackles for loss before becoming a top-three pick in the NFL Draft.
✓ NFL career: Multiple-time Pro Bowler with the Chargers.
Hawk led the Buckeyes to a national title as a freshman and developed into a two-time All-American. He recorded 394 tackles and won multiple national awards in 2005 before being selected fifth overall in the NFL Draft.
✓ Durability: Over 100 career starts in the NFL.
Harley was Ohio State’s first football star, scoring 201 points in 24 games and leading the team to its first win over Michigan. A three-time All-American, he helped put the Buckeyes on the national map.
✓ Historical impact: Paved the way for Ohio Stadium to be built.
Vrabel holds the school record with 36 career sacks and was twice named Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. He won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and later became an NFL head coach.
✓ Double threat: Dominated on the field and succeeded in coaching.
Jenkins won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2008 and earned All-American honors. In the NFL, he became a two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the league’s most reliable safeties.
✓ Versatility: Thrived in both man coverage and run defense.
Spielman is third all-time in tackles at Ohio State and a former Lombardi Award winner. He had a long NFL career, earning four Pro Bowl nods and later becoming an executive for the Detroit Lions.
✓ Toughness: Set the standard for linebacker play in Columbus.
A three-time All-American, Laurinaitis recorded 375 tackles and won the Butkus and Nagurski Awards. He was a leader on some of Ohio State’s top-ranked defenses in the 2000s.
✓ Leadership: Known for intelligence and high motor.
Ginn was a dynamic returner and receiver. His speed and explosiveness made him one of the most electric players in school history. He scored 15 touchdowns on returns during his career.
✓ Game-changer: Could flip the field in an instant.
These athletes didn’t just star in Columbus, they built careers that shaped the game. From two-time Heisman winners to dominant NFL players, they represent the peak of college football excellence.
If you're looking for the best Ohio State football players of all time, or curious about Ohio State NFL players who became household names, this list reflects the program’s deep talent pool and rich history.