The Talent of The 2005 Ohio State Buckeyes

Philip DodsonMay 28, 2010

The talent of the 2005 Ohio State Buckeyes

Posted on May 26, 2010 by northwestchamp

Looking back, the 2005 Ohio State Buckeyes could be considered on of the most talented collegiate rosters of all time. The team finished 10-2 with a 34-20 victory over NotreDame in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl. Both of the Buckeyes two defeats came at the hands of BCS bowl-bound teams, Penn State and the eventual national champion Texas. This talented roster coached by Jim Tressel included nine NFL 1st round draft picks, 27 overall NFL draft selections, a Heisman Trophy winner and a Super Bowl XLIII MVP. We have broken down the talented depth of this squad by position and looked at the season that was 2005.

2005 Ohio State Schedule/Results

September 3	Miami (OH)	W 34-14	1-0 (0-0)
September 10	Texas	L 25-22	1-1 (0-0)
September 17	San Diego State	W 27-6	2-1 (0-0)
September 24	Iowa	W 31-6	3-1 (1-0)
October 8	at Penn State	L 17-10	3-2 (1-1)
October 15	Michigan State	W 35-24	4-2 (2-1)
October 22	at Indiana	W 41-10	5-2 (3-1)
October 29	at Minnesota	W 45-31	6-2 (4-1)
November 5	Illinois	W 40-2	7-2 (5-1)
November 12	Northwestern	W 48-7	8-2 (6-1)
November 19	at Michigan	W 25-21	9-2 (7-1)
January 2	vs. Notre Dame	W 34-20	10-2 (7-1)

Quarterback

#10 Troy Smith, junior – Smith was awarded the 2006 Heisman Trophy, 2006 Walter Camp award, 2006 Davey O’Brien award, and the 2006 Archie Griffin award. Selected in the 5th round (174) of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. Currently a backup quarterback with the Ravens.

Running Back

#25 Antonio Pittman, sophomore – The shifty running back rushed for 2,945 yards and 22 touchdowns during his three years at Ohio State. A 4th round pick (107) of the New Orleans Saints and currently playing for the St. Louis Rams.

Wide Receivers

#4 Santonio Holmes, junior – Holmes caught 245 passes for 2,295 yards and 25 touchdowns as a Buckeye. The 25th pick of the 2006 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Super Bowl XLIII MVP was traded to the New York Jets in 2010. #7 Teddy Ginn Jr, sophomore – The versatile athlete accounted for 4,068 all purpose yards and 26 touchdowns before being drafted in the 1st round (9) by the Miami Dolphins in 2007. The 2007 All-rookie selection was traded to San Francisco in 2010. #11 Anthony Gonzalez, sophomore- A sure handed position receiver, Gonzalez was a 2006 1st team All-Big 10 selection. Selected in the 1st round (32) of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Currently a starting wide receiver for Indianapolis. #85 Brian Robiskie, freshman – Robiskie finished his Buckeye career with 127 receptions for 1,866 yards and 24 touchdowns. Drafted in the 2nd round (36) by the Cleveland Browns in 2009. #14 Brian Hartline, freshman -Hartline redshirted the 2005 season and finished his Buckeye career with 90 receptions for 1,429 yards and 12 touchdowns. Selected by the Miami Dolphins in the 4th round (108) of the 2009 NFL draft. #8 Roy Hall, junior – In Columbus, Hall caught 46 passes for 511 yards and 3 touchdowns. A 5th round pick (169) by the Indianapolis Colts in 2007. Signed with New Orleans in 2010.

Offensive Line

#55 Nick Mangold, senior – 1st team all Big-10 during junior and senior seasons. Drafted with the 29th selection of the 1st round in 2006 by the New York Jets. A two-time Pro Bowl selection (2008,2009). #77 Rob Sims, senior – 2005 1st team all Big-10 and drafted by Seattle in the 4th round (128) of the 2006 NFL draft. Traded to the Detroit Lions in 2010. #50 Doug Datish, junior – A 2006 1st team all Big-Ten selection and drafted in the 6th round (198) of the 2007 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Currently on the Tennessee Titans roster. #74 Kirk Barton, sophomore – Barton became a 1st team all Big-Ten selection in 2007 and was selected by Chicago in the 7th round (247) of the 2008 NFL draft. Currently on the Detroit Lions roster.

Defensive Line

#50 Vernon Gholston, sophomore – The hybrid defensive athlete left Ohio State with 30.5 tackles for loss, and 21.5 career sacks. The 6th pick of the 1st round by the New York Jets in 2008. #90 Quinn Pitock, junior – The defensive tackle recorded 94 tackles and 6 sacks during his Buckeye career. Drafted in the 3rd round (98) of the 2007 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts. Pitock retired after one professional season. #99 Jay Richardson, junior – Richardson recorded 27 tackles and 3 sacks during his collegiate career. Selected by the Oakland Raiders with the 138th pick of the 2007 NFL draft. Currently still on the Oakland roster. #84 Doug Worthington, freshman – A 2005 redshirt, Worthington recorded 102 tackles and 4 sacks before being drafted in the 7th round (242) of the 2010 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Linebackers

#47 A.J. Hawk, senior – The legendary Buckeye linebacker recorded 394 tackles, 15 sacks and 7 interceptions during his collegiate career. The 2005 Lombardi award winner was selected with the 5th pick of the 2006 NFL draft. Named the 2006 AP Defensive Rookie of the year. #42 Bobby Carpenter, senior – Carpenter registered 191 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 23.5 tackles for loss as a Buckeye. Drafted with the 18th pick of the 2006 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Traded to St. Louis in 2010. #1 Marcus Freeman, sophomore-Redshirted the 2005 season with the Buckeyes but bounced back to finish his collegiate career with 268 tackles and 6 sacks. Drafted in the 5th round (154) of the 2009 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. Retired in 2010. #33 James Laurinaitis, freshman – The undersized athlete went on to win the Lott Trophy (2008), Butkus Award (2007), Naguruski Trophy (2006) and register 365 tackles and 15 sacks at Ohio State. Drafted in the 2nd round (35) by the St. Louis Rams in 2009 and selected to the 2009 All-Rookie team. #38 Austin Spitler, freshman – The special teams giant, Spitler recorded 82 tackles during his Buckeye career. Selected in the 7th round by the Miami Dolphins in 2010. #51 Anthony Schlegel, senior – The 2005 senior finished his collegiate career with 166 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 17.5 tackles for loss. Selected in the 3rd round (76) of the 2006 NFL draft by the New York Jets. Schlegel currently plays for the Florida Tuskers of the UFL.

Defensive Backs

#9 Donte Whitner, senior – A 1st team all Big Ten selection in 2005 and finished his Ohio State career with 164 tackles, 5 sacks and 5 interceptions. The 8th pick of the 2006 NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills. Selected to the 2006 All-Rookie team. #26 Ashton Youboty, junior – The talented cornerback earned 1st team all Big Ten and recorded 131 tackles, and 5 interceptions as a Buckeye. A 3rd round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2006. #21 Nate Salley, senior – Also a 1st team Big Ten selection in 2005, Salley finished his time in Columbus with 181 tackles and 3 interceptions. Drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the 4th round (121) of the 2006 NFL draft. Currently on the Carolina roster for 2010. #2 Malcolm Jenkins, freshman – The shut-down corner finished his Ohio State career with 11 interceptions and never allowed a touchdown. The 2008 Thorpe Award winner was drafted with the 14th pick of the 2009 NFL draft by the New Orleans Saints. #20 Donald Washington, freshman – The 2005 redshirt accumulated 103 tackles and 2 interceptions. Selected in the 4th round (102) by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2009.

2005 Ohio State Season Statistics

Passing Statistics
NAME	CMP	ATT	YDS	CMP%	YDS/A	TD	INT	RAT
Troy Smith	149	237	2282	62.9	9.63	16	4	162.7
Justin Zwick	42	58	359	72.4	6.19	1	1	126.7
Todd Boeckman	5	7	67	71.4	9.57	1	0	199.0
Totals	196	302	2708	64.9	8.97	19	5	157.7