Ohio State Football: The Top 25 Defensive Players in Buckeye History
One of the oldest adages in football is that defenses win championships.
And when it comes to the Ohio State football program, their collection of defensive stars is a reason why the program has been so good for so long.
With seven national championships in their history, the Buckeyes have had a large collection of talent on both sides of the football.
Here is a look at the best 25 players on defense in the illustrious history of Ohio State football.
25. Matt Wilhelm: LB, 1999-2002
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Jim Tressel's national championship defense in 2002 featured quite a stud LB in Matt Wilhelm in the middle.
A three-year starter at MLB, Wilhelm started his career with a pick-six in his first start against Fresno State QB David Carr, and Wilhelm never looked back.
In his senior year, Wilhelm had 121 tackles and is tied for No. 6 in career tackles for loss in Buckeye history.
But he put his dominant stamp on the national championship game, registering 11 tackles as the leader of the unit that shut down Miami to win OSU's seventh national championship.
24. Vernon Gholston: DE, 2004-2007
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Vernon Gholston was not only one of the better defensive linemen in the Tressel era, but he may be one of the more important ones as he started a trend of dominant pass rushers in recent memory.
Gholston was a two-year starter where his team lost only three times, twice in BCS National Championships, and was an incredible force off the edge.
He registered 7.5 sacks in 2006, but put up an impressive 14.5 sacks in 2007, becoming the school's single-season sack leader, passing Mike Vrabel's 13 set back in 1995.
Although his starting career lasted only two seasons, Gholston was a dominant force and a reason why the Buckeyes went to back-to-back national championship games.
23. Mike Sensibaugh: DB, 1968-1970
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Of all of the players in the "Super Sophs" class of 1968 that led Woody Hayes to two national championships in three seasons, Mike Sensibaugh might be the most overlooked.
A member of the OSU All-Century Team, Sensibaugh is the career leader in picks with 22 and in a season with nine, and was a force in the secondary.
He was one of the better defensive players that most Buckeye fans don't remember too well, but he was just as good as any of the other big names in the Woody Hayes era.
22. Chris Gamble: DB, 2001-2003
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Chris Gamble was one of the few modern players in college football to play both offense and defense, but his living right now is in the secondary.
In his three-year career as a Buckeye, Gamble registered 63 tackles including three for loss, 21 pass breakups, and seven interceptions.
Although he did have some offensive success as well, Gamble's play in the secondary was essential for the Buckeyes to win the 2003 and 2004 Fiesta Bowls.
Now he is one of the highest-paid DBs in the NFL and having a very good career with the Carolina Panthers.
21. Ahmed Plummer: DB, 1996-1999
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One thing that Ohio State has done well in the past 20 years is churn out top-flight defensive back prospects.
Like Gamble, Ahmed Plummer was a very talented corner selected high in the NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.
He was named MVP of the 1999 squad despite just a 6-6 season after making the Sugar Bowl the year before.
Plummer was a very talented, physical corner for John Cooper, but injuries derailed a shot at a pro career.
20. Chimdi Chekwa: DB, 2006-2010
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This may seem high right now, but Chimdi Chekwa may be one of the more underappreciated and underrated defenders in recent memory.
Chekwa was an integral player in the Buckeye secondary from 2007 until his senior season in 2010 and was one of the better tacklers from the corner position.
While his interception numbers weren't very high, what he did was simply take a large chunk of the field away from other teams, making him a valuable asset in man-to-man coverage.
Unfortunately, Chekwa suffered an injury in the first series of the Sugar Bowl against Arkansas and couldn't boost his draft stock and end his career with a bang.
However, Chekwa was named an All-American his senior season by the FWAA and College Football News, bringing him some worthy accolades.
19. Will Smith: DE, 2000-2003
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If a college team was looking for a big-time pass rusher off the edge, one guy perfect for the job would have to be Will Smith.
Smith, like Wilhelm, was a major cog in the national championship team, registering 5.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss and showing sheer dominance off the edge.
But his breakout year was soon to come, as Smith terrorized offensive lines for 10.5 sacks in 2003, which merited him All-American honors and top-ten draft pick status.
His NFL career with the New Orleans Saints has been nothing short of spectacular, as he has notched 56 sacks in his seven seasons.
However, his 2011 season is in jeopardy, as he is waiting on a verdict for a domestic abuse charge.
18. Malcolm Jenkins: DB, 2005-2008
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When Ohio State made their run of consecutive national championship game appearances, a big part of the reason why was the strong play of Malcolm Jenkins at corner.
Jenkins was a three-year starter, receiving All-American honors in 2008 along with the Jim Thorpe award for best corner in the country.
Despite his 11 interceptions in his career, Jenkins and his team struggled on the big stage, falling to Florida and LSU in consecutive BCS National Championship Games.
But those big game letdowns shouldn't tarnish Jenkins' strong career.
17. James Laurinaitis: LB, 2005-2008
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There is little doubt that James Laurinaitis, along with Malcolm Jenkins, left a huge imprint on the Buckeyes in his career.
Laurinaitis, the son of a former pro wrestler named "Road Warrior Animal," was just that in the middle of the defense, an animal.
In three seasons as starter at MLB, Laurinaitis registered 365 tackles, 15 sacks, and was a three-time All-American along with winning the Bronko Nagurski Award for defensive player of the year in 2006 and the Butkus for top LB in 2007.
However, like Jenkins, Laurinaitis still has to deal with the criticism of losing consecutive BCS National Championship Games.
But No. 33 in those days was no doubt one of Tressel's best linebackers ever to strap on the pads.
16. Pepper Johnson: LB, 1982-1985
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Of all of the great linebackers from Ohio State, Pepper Johnson may be one of the more underrated backers.
Johnson earned a letter in each of his four seasons and led the team in tackles during both his junior and senior seasons.
In four years under Earle Bruce, Johnson received All-American honors in 1985 and recorded 379 tackles.
While not as legendary as Chris Spielman or Marcus Marek, Johnson does deserve some notoriety and recognition for a strong playing career.
15. Cameron Heyward: DE/DT, 2007-2010
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Although Cameron Heyward probably doesn't deserve to be higher than Laurinaitis or Jenkins, there is no doubt he was a big-time playmaker in probably the two most important seasons in modern Buckeye history.
Heyward jumped into the rotation immediately as a freshman and eventually started that season, which helped him earn freshman All-American honors.
By his senior season, Heyward had put up 157 tackles, 34 for loss, and 15.5 sacks and was a big-time player in the 2010 Rose Bowl Game as he led his team to shutting down the high-powered Oregon Ducks offense 26-17.
But he was simply spectacular in the Sugar Bowl win over Arkansas, notching 3.5 tackles for loss, a pass deflection and a big sack on a third down in the second half.
The 2011 Buckeyes will certainly miss having Heyward on the line, since it will be tough to replace his sheer playmaking ability up front.
14. Mike Doss: S, 1999-2002
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Like Wilhelm, Smith and Gamble, Mike Doss was one of the reasons why Ohio State's defense in 2002 led them to a national championship.
Doss was a very capable safety, making plays in both the running and passing game, which helped earn him All-American honors three times in his career.
He started in 40 games for the Buckeyes, and put up eight interceptions and six sacks to go with 331 tackles.
Doss showed up in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl in a big way with an interception on Miami QB Ken Dorsey to end his collegiate career.
13. Mike Vrabel: DE, 1993-1996
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One of the first talented defensive ends in the 1990s for the Buckeyes, Mike Vrabel helped to set the standard for future players at his position.
He was all-Big Ten twice and an All-American in his senior season.
Vrabel still holds Buckeye records for sacks in a career with 36 and in tackles for loss with an unbelievable 66.
This explosive talent in college helped him to become a big-time player in the NFL with the New England Patriots.
12. Dan Wilkinson: DT, 1992-1993
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Despite only suiting up for the Buckeyes for just two seasons, Dan "Big Daddy" Wilkinson may be the best defensive tackle to play in Columbus in the past 25 years.
Wilkinson won all-Big Ten honors in both his seasons as a Buckeye and was an All-American in 1993, which earned him the honor of the No. 1 overall pick in the subsequent NFL Draft.
As a Buckeyes, he registered 90 tackles as the anchor of the defensive line, with 23.5 of them resulting in a loss.
He may have not been a Buckeye long, but he certainly made a huge (no pun intended) impact on the OSU defense early in the John Cooper era.
11. Shawn Springs: DB, 1994-1996
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The 1990s was the beginning of the Buckeyes churning out talented DBs into the pro ranks, with Shawn Springs being one of the best ones to come out of Columbus.
Springs redshirted his freshman year, but he started 37 games in his collegiate career from 1994-1996 and was a big factor on the 1997 Rose Bowl Championship squad.
He was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 1996 and was taken No. 3 overall in the resulting NFL Draft.
Unlike Plummer, who struggled in the NFL due to injuries, Springs has enjoyed a very long and prosperous NFL career.
10. Antoine Winfield: DB, 1995-1998
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Don't let Antoine Winfield's 5-foot-9 stature fool you, he was one of the best players to come out of Ohio State in the late 1990s.
The small Winfield was a terrifying corner to play against due to his physicality and sheer hitting abilities.
His physical play earned him consecutive All-American honors in 1997 and 1998 and was the first Buckeye to win the Jim Thorpe Award in 1998, a feat replicated by Malcolm Jenkins nine years later.
No receiver would want to go against Winfield, who would make life miserable for opponents with his great combination of speed and power, a deadly weapon from the corner position.
9. Jack Tatum: S, 1968-1970
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Sticking with the theme of hitters like Winfield, the next man up may be the ultimate definition of heavy hitter: Jack Tatum.
Nicknamed "The Assassin," the late safety was quite an intimidator in the secondary, playing alongside Mike Sensibaugh on the Super Sophs teams of 1968 through 1970.
Tatum was all-Big Ten three times and a unanimous All-American, but he made his living as a Buckeye and a Raider on laying receivers out and dishing big hits.
As a result of Tatum's contributions to the program on the field, in 2001, new coach Jim Tressel began giving out a weekly award called the Jack Tatum Hit of the Week Award.
He died on July 27, 2010, and he will always be remembered as being quite an amazing football player.
8. Marcus Marek: LB, 1979-1982
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The No. 36 is an illustrious number in Ohio State given out to any LB the coaches feel is worthy.
And Marcus Marek was one of the reasons why 36 is one of the biggest honors given to any player that suits up as a Buckeye.
A four-year starter and all-Big Ten all four seasons, Marek led the team in tackles each of his last three seasons and was one of the best when the hated Wolverines came to town.
To this day, Marek is the team's all-time leader in tackles with 572 in his four-year career.
7. Tom Cousineau: LB, 1975-1978
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The last Buckeye to wear No. 36 before Marek, Tom Cousineau was another one of those special LBs in the history of Ohio State football.
Cousineau set the single-season record for tackles in a season with an incredible 211 in 1978 and was a two-time All-American from the LB position.
In the 1977 Orange Bowl, Cousineau won MVP honors by racking up a school-record 29 tackles.
With 569 tackles, Cousineau is second just behind Marek in total tackles.
6. Randy Gradishar: LB, 1971-1973
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It's extremely difficult to put these three LBs in any order, as they are all very talented players.
But for Randy Gradishar, what sets him apart is the praise given to him by the late Woody Hayes, calling him, "the greatest linebacker I have ever coached."
Gradishar finished his three-year career with 320 tackles, 132 of which came in his senior season.
He was an All-American twice and was one of three Buckeyes to finish in the top ten of the 1973 Heisman Trophy voting.
Gradishar, along with Marek and Cousineau, were three of the best LBs that were dominant forces in the Ohio State defense over a 12-year period.
5. Jim Stillwagon: DL, 1968-1970
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Jim Stillwagon was the defensive face of the Super Sophs, just as Rex Kern was to the offense in those years.
Stillwagon was a two-time All-American and won the Outland Trophy as a senior in 1970, as well as the inaugural Lombardi Award winner the same season.
A key member of a class that went 27-2 and won two national championships, Stillwagon, along with Tatum and Sensibaugh, left a lasting impact on the Buckeye program.
Stillwagon was a highlight of one of the best classes in Ohio State history.
4. A.J. Hawk: LB, 2002-2005
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As far as defensive players come in the Jim Tressel era, they don't come any better than A.J. Hawk did.
A one-star recruit out of Centerville, Ohio, Hawk stepped in as a starter in 2003 and became a big-time star right out of the chute.
He finished his career leading the Buckeyes in tackles three times, won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2004 and 2005, and won the Lombardi Award in 2005.
Hawk finished up with 394 tackles, 15 sacks and seven interceptions in three full seasons as a starter for the Buckeyes.
He could be one of the most likely players in the Jim Tressel era to have his number retired.
3. Andy Katzenmoyer: LB, 1996-1998
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As far as pure physical specimens go, there was no more feared beast at LB than big Andy Katzenmoyer.
Katzenmoyer started 37 games in three seasons as a Buckeye and anchored some of John Cooper's most physical defenses.
He finished up his three-year career with 197 tackles, 50 of them for a loss, and 18 sacks, and became the first inside linebacker in Buckeye history to win the Butkus Award.
Big Kat might be the best Buckeye defender in the past 20 years with his sheer size and high-level intensity.
2. Bill Willis: DL, 1942-1944
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Bill Willis was one of the first players to break football's color barrier and might be one of the all-time greats at both the collegiate and professional level.
He came into football after Paul Brown discovered him as a member of the track team, but then turned him into one of the most talented defensive linemen of the era.
His first season of football saw him lead a Buckeye team to its first national championship in 1942.
Willis was all-Big Ten in 1943 and an All-American in 1944, staying on the gridiron because of a medical condition that made him ineligible for military service.
In 2007, Ohio State retired Willis' No. 99, not only for how good he was on the field, but how he helped change the game forever.
1. Chris Spielman: LB, 1984-1987
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For any true Buckeye fan, there is no doubt that not only is Chris Spielman probably the best defensive player in school history, but that he could be one of the best LBs in college history.
Spielman was a man who wore his heart on his sleeves and left it all on the field, and like Marek and Cousineau, is a reason why the No. 36 is such an honor for a Buckeye player to receive.
He finished his career with 546 career tackles, ranking him third in Buckeye history, and was a three-time All-Big Ten selection, a two-time All-American and the Lombardi Award winner in 1987.
Spielman still holds the OSU record for solo tackles with 283 and remains a legend in the lore of Ohio State football.
After being inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009, Spielman's legacy as one of the greatest defensive players in college football history was cemented 22 years after his collegiate career was finished.
His intensity and drive combined with his skill makes him the greatest defensive player in the history of Ohio State football.
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