Top Ten Greatest Buckeye Defensive Lineman

In our ongoing series we have already looked at the following positions: wide receiver, linebacker, offensive line, defensive backs, fullbacks and tight ends.  Although most OSU fans have been jealous of schools like Florida, Florida State, Miami and Alabama who always seem to be loaded with NFL caliber talent on the defensive line, it's not like the Buckeyes have been void of excellent players at this position. 

However, many of the guys on this list played years ago, and have been forgotten by all but the most ardent of fans.  Here are the ones TSB considers to be the best of the best:

10. Vernon Gholstin

Due to his lack of success so far in the NFL it is easy to forget how dynamic he was in college, especially his senior year.  Big Vern spent most of that 2007 season in the offensive backfield and wound up with 14 sacks.

9.  Bob Brudzinski

Brudzinski was a four-time letter winner and a three year starter at defensive end for the Buckeyes. He was a two-time All-Big 10 selection and as a senior, was a consensus All-American, before going on to a lengthy NFL career.

8.  Van Ness DeCree

Besides having one of the coolest names in Ohio State history, DeCree was a quick, dominating defensive end who was a two-time All-American in the early 70s.

7.  James Houston

This big guy was a two way player who excelled on offense and defense.  But his forte was stuffing the run with physical play, and James was a two-time All-American before being the eighth player taken in the first round of the NFL draft. 

6.  Jim Marshall

Before becoming an ironman in the NFL (started 282 straight games), Jim was a quick lineman who starred for Woody Hayes.  He actually left school before his senior year and played one year in the CFL before entering the NFL draft.

5.  Dan Wilkinson

"Big Daddy" arrived on campus overweight and ineligible, but worked his way on to the field and was virtually unblockable at times, becoming the very first player taken in the 1994 draft.  Had he played more than two seasons in Scarlet and Gray he would be ranked even higher on this list.

   

4.  Will Smith

Possessing a rare combination of size and speed, Smith was the most feared pass rusher on the famed 2002 National Championship team that boasted possibly the best defensive line in OSU history.  The following year, 2003, Smith had 20 tackles for a loss, before heading off to NFL stardom. 

3.  Mike Vrabel

Before becoming a fine NFL linebacker and three time Super Bowl champion, Vrabel was an amazing defensive end, who left Columbus with more tackles for a loss and sacks than any player in OSU history.  Everything about Vrabel screamed "Buckeye," and he is a class act on and off the field.

2.  Bill Willis

Forget statistics and awards.  Playing before college games were regularly broadcast on TV, the undersized Willis used his quickness to become a two-time All-American, then went on to become an All-Pro with the Cleveland Browns as one of the first African American football players in the NFL.

1.  Jim Stillwagon

A beast on the interior of the line, Stillwagon was part of the "Super Sophomore" class that won the National Championship in 1968.  A two-time All-American, he won both the Outland and Lombardi trophies following his senior season. 

Just missing the cut but earning honorable mention are the following: Pete Cusick, Aaron Brown, Jerome Foster Alonzo Spellman, Matt Finkes, Darrion Scott, Tim Anderson and Cameron Heyward (who might move up after his senior season).  Who did we miss?

Up Next: Quarterback