OHIO STATE OFFENSE – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/31/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
SE 9 DAVID BOSTON (6-3, 215, Jr.) All-America candidate…a force on the field…led Big Ten with OSU record 73 rcpts. in ’97…6th at OSU w/106 rcpts…22 TDs.
LT 77 TYSON WALTER (6-5, 305, So.) Strong spring camp…confident, athletic & intense…stepped in for Orlando Pace to start all 13 games as RS frosh in ’97.
LG 56 ROB MURPHY (6-5, 300, Jr.) All-America candidate…’97 FN All-American…missed spring drills, but expected to lead in ’98…tough & physical…23 starts.
C 63 KURT MURPHY (6-4, 290, Jr.) Strong, young player…intelligent…makes all line calls…started six of last seven games last year…20-game veteran.
RG 64 BEN GILBERT (6-5, 295, Jr.) Strong spring camp…21-game vet with 13 starts last year as true soph…physical…continues to improve…recently married.
RT 67 BROOKS BURRIS (6-7-290, Sr.*) Versatile…can play guard or tackle…big, but athletic…exper-ienced veteran of 32 games & nine starts…eight starts in 1997.
TE 85 JOHN LUMPKIN (6-8, 260, Sr.) Emerged last year (17-320 yds and 3 TDs)…excellent hands & a good blocker…spectacular 50-yard TD grab in Sugar Bowl.
QB 7 JOE GERMAINE (6-2, 205, Sr.*) Terrific timing & accuracy…6th in OSU passing annals with 3040 yds…31 TD passes…3rd nationally in ’97 in pass effic.
FB 23 MATT KELLER (6-0, 238, Jr.) Savvy, crafty & works hard…3rd-leading rusher and receiver in ’97 (257 rush yards & 19 receptions)…boom-boom blocker.
TB 5 MICHAEL WILEY (6-0, 195, Jr.) Called “talented & gifted & elusive & special”…a threat to score on every touch…averages 8.9 yards per touch.
FL 15 DEE MILLER (6-1, 200, Sr.*) A most pleasant ’97 surprise with 58 recpts, 981 yds, 5 TDs…now one of nation’s best…makes spectacular, big-play catches.
PK 47 DAN STULTZ (6-0, 195, So) Led Big Ten in kick scoring (7.1)…55-yard FG vs. IU…10 of 12 inside 40…could become one of OSU’s all-time bests.
SECOND TEAM
SE 80 Reggie Germany (6-2, 195, So.) On his way to becoming a marquee player…smooth…great hands and speed…gets yards after the catch…expected to play a lot in ’98
LT 71 BEN PULFER (6-6, 270, Fr.) Red-shirted ’97 season…battled through mid-season knee surgury…played defensive tackle last season.
LG 65 MIKE GURR (6-7, 270, So.) Has good quickness and athletic ability…has played tight end, right guard and left guard…concentrated on left in spring.
C 78 DREW ELFORD (6-4, 300, Jr.) Moved to center last fall but can play all the offensive line positions…has continued to improve and will press for time.
RG 55 TAM HOPKINS (6-5, 295, So.) Terrific athlete…strong & explosive…will challenge for starting honors…expected to be 100 pct. after spring ankle injury.
RT 75 HENRY FLEMING (6-7, 305, So.) Tough and massive…is expected to push for starting position…slowed in the spring, but played in seven games in ’97.
TE 87 KEVIN HOUSER (6-3, 250, Jr.) Also has been the long snapper for punts and placements the past two years…good hands and excellent receiver.
QB 16 MARK GARCIA (6-4, 215, Sr.*) Can throw to any part of the field and is capable of making the big play…knows the offense…talented and eager to play.
FB 36 SEAN PENNY (6-2, 215, So.) Highly regarded with all the tools…just needs to grasp fullback mentality…terrific athlete…averaged 6.0 yards per rush.
TB 33 JOE MONTGOMERY (5-11, 216, Sr.) Making valiant comeback from major knee injury & surgeries…confidence is back…team’s most physical tailback.
FL 6 JIMMY REDMOND (6-0,187, Jr.) Missed last season after breaking his right leg in the season opener against Wyoming…one of the fastest players on the team.
LS 87 Kevin Houser HO 41 Brent Bartholomew PK 47 Dan Stultz
KR 80 Reggie Germany KR 5 Michael Wiley PR 1 Gary Berry PR 9 David Boston
OHIO STATE DEFENSE
FIRST TEAM
DE 94 RODNEY BAILEY (6-3, 255, So.) A rising star…only true frosh to start in ’97…makes plays (9 tackles vs. Mich.)…has size, quickness and athletic ability.
DT 90 CLINTON WAYNE (6-3, 275, So.) Called “the best athlete among the tackles”…strong, physical and tough to defend…worked on technique & is ready to shine.
DT 73 JOE BROWN (6-6, 285, So.) One of the team’s quickest linemen…active, strong, physical… sheds blocks…hard worker…will a have major presence.
DE 60 BRENT JOHNSON (6-4, 265, So.) Most improved & most consistent end this spring…played run and pass extremely well…becoming an influence player.
BLB 32 NA’IL DIGGS (6-4, 235, So.) A most promising young Buckeye…athletic and exceptionally quick…solid pass rusher and run stopper…up from DE.
MLB 45 ANDY KATZENMOYER (6-4, 255, Jr.) The best player in college football…Heisman Trophy, Lombardi, Outland, Butkus, Maxwell & Nagurski awards candidate.
WLB 35 JERRY RUDZINSKI (6-2, 225, Sr.*) Scholar-Athlete…key player & leader on the field…intelligent, hard-working & never out of position…savvy.
CB 11 ANTOINE WINFIELD (5-9, 180, Sr.) All-American…Thorpe Award candidate…loves to practice… loves to play…makes plays with a vengeance…a warrior.
FS 1 GARY BERRY (6-0, 195, Jr.) Called “the top athlete among the DBs” and is one of the team’s fastest…a veteran, but best football is ahead of him.
SS 13 DAMON MOORE (5-11, 200, Sr.*) Fierce hitter…a force in the secondary…runs the show…makes adjustments…Tenuta: “there is no task he cannot accomplish.”
CB 19 AHMED PLUMMER (6-0, 190, Jr.) Student of the game who is fast becoming a big-time player… studies technique…excellent athlete and a productive corner.
Pu 41 BRENT BARTHOLOMEW (6-2, 210, Sr.) All-America candidate…All-Big Ten, 10th nationally in ’97 (45.2 ypp; 4th best at OSU)…42.4 career average with 23 I20.
LS 87 Kevin Houser PU 41 Brent Bartholomew
SECOND TEAM
DE 48 MATT LaVRAR (6-3, 240, Jr.) 11-game starter in ’97…consistent at stopping the run & improving as a pass rusher…still learning after switch from LB.
DT 98 MIKE COLLINS (6-3, 290, Fr.) True freshman…picked up defense quickly…will push for playing time…has good strength and is a tough player.
DT 93 RANDY HOMA (6-2, 285, Jr.) One of the strongest players on the team with a bench press of 475 pounds…great attitutde and eager to play.
DE 52 JAMES COTTON (6-4, 245, Jr.) Opened eyes in spring camp after switching from LB to DE…learning the system, but is an athlete…made plays this spring.
BLB 10 JOE COOPER (6-2, 213, So.) Moved to linebacker in fall camp…tough football player…sat out last season but did practice…powerfully built.
MLB 44 CHRIS KIRK (6-3,235, jr.) An excellent run stopper and a physically tough player…a fine player in his own right…simply plays behind college FB’s best.
WLB 30 JASON OTT (6-4, 240, Fr.) Can play either outside LB position…will see playing time this year after a fine spring…a tough & physical player.
CB 3 DAVID MITCHELL (6-1, 195, So.) Played in all 13 games last year as a true frosh with plenty of special teams action…has good size and speed…still learning.
FS 17 PERCY KING (6-4, 210, Jr.) The “surprise of the secondary” this spring…finally realized his skills and will push for playing time this year…a big hitter.
SS 20 CENTRAL McCLELLION (5-11, 190, Sr.*) Has terrific talent and can play all the secondary positions… works hard and is a favorite to be around…the nickel back.
CB 18 NATE CLEMENTS (6-0, 185, Fr.) True freshman…very impressive fall camp…high school All-American by numerous publications.
*Indicates fifth year senior
