Buckeyes in the Big Game: Guess why Former Ohio State Stars Will Shine in Super Bowl LIX

2018 Big Ten Championship Game:  Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Northwestern Wildcats

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State will once again be represented on the NFL’s highest stage when the Kansas City Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX even if it comes at a premium.

For the second time in the last three years, only one former Buckeye made it to the final week of the NFL season. Parris Campbell played wide receiver in Columbus from 2014-18 catching 143 passes for 1,768 yards and 15 touchdowns. Over his five years, he alongside Terry McClaurin — now with the Washington Commanders — and Johnny Dixon helped set a tone for the room Brian Hartline is now in charge of as an assistant coach.

The bulk of that production came during a 2018 season where Ohio State reset the passing record book with Dwayne Haskins as its quarterback. Campbell started in the slot alongside K.J. Hill, who’d leave as the school’s all-time leader in catches. A record Emeka Egbuka broke this season.

The Akron native set his own record during that 2018 season with 90 catches, breaking David Boston’s 20-year record of 85. Jaxon Smith-Njigba would eventually break Campbell’s record with 95 in 2021. Campebell’s catches resulted in 1,063 yards and 12 touchdowns. At the time it was the fifth 1,000-yard receiving season in school history. Since then, four others have been doing it, including Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith this past season. Egbuka and Marvin Harriosn Jr. are the only people to do it more than once.

Campbell was a second-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts in 2019, spending his first four seasons there. He then spent a year with the New York Giants before joining the Eagles. He’s had a small role this season with only six catches for 30 yards, but could still walk away with a Super Bowl ring.

OSU loses staff member

Ryan Day will have to replace multiple assistant coaches this offseason after winning a national title. But his work won’t stop there and plenty of support staff members have also earned opportunities.

Defensive graduate assistant LaAllen Clark has been hired as Texas’ next outside linebacker coach. He spent the last two seasons working in Larry Johnson’s defensive line room.

Clark is the sixth staff member to leave this offseason with others being graduate assistant Mike Sollenne, offensive assistant Riley Larkin, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, offensive line coach Justin Frye and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.

Key dates

  • National Signing Day: 2 days, Feb. 5, 2025
  • NFL Combine: 24 days, Feb. 27-March 2, 2025
  • NFL Draft: 80 days, April 24-26, 2025
  • Ohio State vs. Texas (season opener): 211 days, Aug. 30, 2025
  • Ohio State vs. Penn State: 274 days, Nov. 1, 2025
  • The Game 2025: 302 days, Nov. 29, 2025

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