Any fan of Ohio State that has been to the stadium notices the names surrounding the field below C deck. These are the players and coaches who have been inducted into the Ring of Honor. As of this writing they are:
Chic Harley (47)
Vic Janowicz (31)
Hopalong Cassidy (40)
Archie Griffin (45)
Les Horvath (22)
Eddie George (27)
Bill Willis (99)
To these, the names of 2 Hall of Fame coaches have been added:
Paul Brown
Woody Hayes
Last year Gene Smith announced the school would no longer retire jerseys as there are too many people that need to be honored and not enough numbers. That is a smart policy and frankly I think they should 'unretire' the above but only give out sparingly (more on the later).
This has opened the field to see if any players have been ignored as this practice started in the 1990s and memories are short. I put together a list of names I think should be considered:
Wes Fesler - 3 time All American led the powerful Ohio State teams of the late 1920s and an All-American in Basketball in the 1930-31 season. He probably won't ever be considered because the way his coaching career ended at Ohio State. He led the school to their first Rose Bowl victory after the 1949 season but left the school in ignominy after the upset at the hands of Michigan in the 1950 Snow Bowl.
Gomer Jones - The linchpin on both the offensive line and the defense at middle linebacker of teams that routinely beat that team up north in 1934-36. Twice named All American, his teams cemented Ohio's love of the Buckeyes and set the stage for college football's greatest rivalry (started as the last game in 1934). Asst Coach at both Ohio State and Oklahoma before transitioning to Athletic Director at Oklahoma.
Don Scott - He was the quarterback in the single wing for the 1939-40 teams and named All American both years. He died in a training accident in World War Two and the school named their airport after him.
**** Note - College players went both ways from 1954-1964
Jim Parker - Parker was a unanimous All America selection in 1955-56 and won the Outland Trophy in 1956. That year Parker himself finished eighth in the Heisman vote. 8 time Pro Bowler in the NFL and many consider him the best linemen ever.
Jim Houston - All American and team captain that played both ways (end/linebacker) in 1958-59 and named team MVP both years. Played for the Browns in the NFL and named to the Pro Bowl 4 times as a linebacker.
Bob Ferguson - One of the best fullbacks in Ohio State history. Led the team's rushing attack that position from 1959 to 1961 and finished with the 2nd highest rushing total to that point. He was named Team MVP in 1960-61, All American both years, and finished second in the voting to Ernie Davis in a vote that some feel was making up for Davis' snub the previous 2 years.
Jim Stillwagon - Stillwagon was a three-year starter with the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1968 - 1970. He was a consensus All-America selection as a junior and senior, and won the Outland Trophy and was the first-ever winner of the Lombardi Award. He also won the 1970 UPI Lineman of the Year.
John Hicks - During Hicks' three years, Ohio State posted a 28-3-1 record, and each year (he missed the 1971 season with a knee injury), Ohio State won the Big Ten Championship and went to the Rose Bowl, making Hicks the first person from OSU to play in three Rose Bowls. Was named All American/All Big Ten in 1972-73. Hicks won the Lombardi Award as the nation's most outstanding lineman and the Outland Trophy as the nation's best interior lineman in 1973 along with being named 2nd in Heisman voting.
Randy Gradishar - Started a trend of Linebacker U that continues to this day. Twice All American in 1972-73, Woody Hayes called him 'the best linebacker I ever coached'. Went to the NFL and was a perennial All Pro and already in the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame.
Chris Spielman - He was a two-time All-American, intercepted 11 passes, and won the Lombardi Award as the best college football lineman or linebacker in 1986. In the NFL he played for 12 seasons and still leads the Lions as in career tackles.
Mike Vrabel - Two Time Defensive Lineman of the year in the Big Ten and All American in 1995-96. Followed that with a productive NFL career and now is an assistant coach at Ohio State.
Orlando Pace - Two time Outland Trophy winner in 1995 and the best linemen I've ever seen in person.
Antoine Winfield - A homer pick on my part but I love this guy. Two time All American in 1997-98 and still making hits in the NFL after a dozen years in the league.
Mike Doss - Three time All American and an all time hero to Buckeye Nation when we returned for his senior season to lead the team to a national championship in 2002.
AJ Hawk - Twice All American at Middle Linebacker in 2004-05. Now in the NFL for the Packers.
James Laurenitis - Three time All American at Middle Linebacker from 2006-08 and Pro Bowler in the NFL.
Troy Smith - Won the Heisman in 2006 and almost led the Buckeyes to a national championship. There are rumors there are rifts between Smith and the school which need healing before this will ever happen.
Jim Tressel - It will take a few years but he belongs up there with the other two coaches that won national titles. I hope it happens before 2020 but I know some still hold a grudge.
People left off the list - Cris Carter, Art Schlitchter for off the field reasons. I'd love to include both but they had incidents after their OSU careers ended that make it impossible for them to be put in the highest honor at the school. I'd be ok with Carter getting in. As much as I loved Art as a kid there's no way it will ever happen.
Post note - I'd love for certain numbers to be permanently retired as a nod to the past and given to deserving players in their junior/senior years. Only the best would get them after proving their worth.
Quarterback - 10 for the last two National championships - Rex Kern and Troy Smith
Running back - 27 / 45 / 31 / 22 / 47 - Already retired and used on a rotating basis
Wide Receiver - open
Lineman - 75 - Orlando Pace's number
Defensive Line - 99 - Already retired for Willis
Linebacker - 36 for Spielman among others
Corner - 11 for Winfield though there are others like Springs, Gamble, Jenkins, that would work.
Safety - 2 for Doss
This would replace the retirement process and allow older numbers to be reserved/honored.
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