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The 100 Greatest Buckeyes of All Time

100 Matt Finkes

Defensive lineman (1993-96)

A team's best blockers most likely lined up to cover Mike Vrabel, this Piqua native's four-year teammate, but Finkes' career stats remain among the school's best: 59 tackles for loss and 25 sacks.

99 Bob Shaw

Tight end (1941-42)

Shaw was an immensely talented receiver, but his blocking was just as strong — strong enough to earn him All-American honors as he helped the Buckeyes to their first national championship.

98 Mark Stier

Linebacker (1966-68)

Stat books don't show too much mention of Stier, but he was an anchor during the 1968 championship season and earned team MVP honors for it.

97 Kurt Schumacher

Offensive lineman (1972-74)

All-American offensive tackle Schumacher is one of many fine blockers on this list. Credit is due here for his work clearing holes for Archie Griffin.

96 Matt Snell

Various positions (1961-63)

Snell played a different position in each of his three seasons, which included a co-national championship in 1961. He bided his time as a blocker and a defensive end before leading the team in rushing his senior year.

*95 James Lincoln

Various positions (1901, 1903, 1905-06)

Plenty of players could've been selected from the early days when all you had for protection was a wool sweater. Back then you weren't a receiver or a lineman, you were just a football player, and Lincoln was a great one, helping to establish Ohio State as an elite football program. He's the earliest pick on this list — so early that during his tenure as captain, the team attempted its first forward pass in a 12-0 win over Wooster.

94 James Laurinaitis

Linebacker (2005-present)

One of two active players on the list, the son of "The Animal" has a Butkus Award to his name and led the team in tackles his sophomore and junior seasons.

93 William Bell

Offensive lineman (1929-31)

Bell was the first black player to suit up for Ohio State. The three-time letter winner was named first-team All-Big Ten as a senior.

92 Santonio Holmes

Wide receiver (2003-05)

One of OSU's all-time big-play threats, the two-time receptions leader is responsible for two of the longest plays in Buckeye history, with touchdown catches of 80-plus yards against Marshall and Notre Dame.

91 Matt Wilhelm

Linebacker (1999-2002)

A.J. Hawk must have learned a lot playing behind Wilhelm. The All-American linebacker was the linchpin of OSU's 2002 title squad, leading the team in tackles and tackles for loss.

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August 28, 2008