Ohio State legends Urban Meyer and James Laurinaitis are on the 2025 Hall of Fame ballot
The 2025 CFB Hall of Fame ballots have been released. The list of coaches includes Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, and Tommy Tubberville.
Several notable players include Michael Vick, Haloti Ngata, Kellen Moore, DeSean Jackson, Ki-Jana Carter, Aaron Donald, Manti Te’o, and Marvin Harrison. pic.twitter.com/viREf0ilI9
— Ben Portnoy (@bportnoy15), June 3, 2024.
You’d be hard-pressed to recount the story of Ohio State football without including Laurinaitis and Meyer. These Ohio State luminaries left their fingerprints on the program in two very different eras while still exemplifying what it meant to be a Buckeye.
Laurinaitis was passed down via generations of Buckeyes. He stayed on campus for four years under Jim Tressell and became a full-time player after three years. In those three years, Laurinaitis made 366 tackles, 24 TFLs, 13 sacks, and nine interceptions as a linebacker. As a footballer, he earned numerous sports accomplishments and honors.
They were:
First-team All-American (2006, 2007, 2008).
Unanimous All-American (2007)
First-team All-Big Ten (2006, 2007, 2008).
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2007 and 2008)
Jack Lambert Trophy (2006 and 2007)
Bronco Nagursky Trophy (2006).
Butkus Award (2007), Lott Trophy (2008).
When it comes to Hall of Fame debates, the question is frequently asked, “Was this player the best at his position at any point in his career?” In Laurinaitis’ situation, the answer is unequivocal: “yes.”
After graduating from Ohio State, Laurinaitis was selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams. He’d have a solid eight-year career. Laurinaitis did not miss a start during his seven seasons with the Rams, accumulating 854 tackles, 49 TFLs, forcing eight turnovers, breaking up 24 passes, and hauling in 10 interceptions. He topped the NFL in solo tackles in 2012.
