Ohio State football well represented in ESPN’s list of eighty best defenders of the 2000s

ESPN put together a list of the best eighty defenders in the college game from the 2000s and Ohio State football is well represented.

No. 40 – A.J. Hawk, Linebacker (2002-2005)

USA TODAY Sports

What Connelly Says about Hawk

“Even at a school that has seemingly produced thousands of stud linebackers, Hawk stood out. He began his career helping the Buckeyes to the 2002 national title and finished it by winning the Lombardi Award and unanimous All-America honors.”

What We Say

Hawk might be one of the most underrated and unforgotten linebackers in Big Ten history. The fact that he was only a three-star prospect and turned himself into a two-time All-American and first-round NFL draft pick speaks very loudly about his work ethic and development.

NEXT … A safety that won at all levels