Laurinaitis, who was teammates with Marcus Freeman during their playing days at Ohio State, won two Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards during his time with the Buckeyes and was named a consensus All-American on three occasions. On the radio show he had been working on in Columbus, he announced he’d be leaving for Notre Dame after working this week.
You heard it here officially first: @JLaurinaitis55 is joining the staff at Notre Dame! But he will finish out the week on our show.
Marcus Freeman is still putting together his staff and it seems like he has found his next linebackers coach in former Ohio State teammate James Laurinaitis. The “Little Animal” was a two-time defense player of the year in the Big Ten, a three-time consensus All-American, along with winning the Lott Trophy, Butkus Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
His career was definitely decorated, playing in the NFL for 8 season as well before transitioning into the commentator booth. Freeman looks to have lured his former Buckeye teammate back to the sidelines with him. This, in my estimation, would be another fantastic hire on Freeman’s staff that is looking like they will use their Buckeye ties to try and create what they had in Columbus during their playing tenure together.
James Laurinaitis leaving the booth to join Marcus Freeman staff at Notre Dame hurts not going to lie.
SOURCES: Former Ohio State LB, James Laurinaitis, is in serious talks to join Marcus Freeman's staff at Notre Dame. Most likely would be an off-field analyst but an on-field coaching job is possible too. The two played together at OSU#NotreDame#GoIrish#FreemanEra#Buckeyes
Gabe Powers is a four-star recruit that has committed to become an Ohio State Buckeye and the future star has a ton of old-school flavor.
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with four-star linebacker and current Ohio State football commit, Gabe Powers. Unlike the fictional Kenny Powers, Gabe is a phenomenal and humble person with a hometown attitude and an old-school style.
“I know my ability, I don’t need to brag to the world, I’m going to show my ability on the field,” Powers told Buckeyes Wire.
The 6-foot, 4-inch, 230-pound Ohio product was gracious enough to let us sit down with him in the Marysville High School weight room with his coverage coach, Ryan Stewart. It should be noted that Stewart has an extensive résumé which includes stops at Boise State and Ohio State as defensive assistant with his specialty being with defensive backs. We discussed a number of topics, but one of the more interesting subjects was discussing which former Ohio State linebacker Powers admires the most.
“Probably, honestly, Chris Spielman. I’ve watched his highlights,” Powers told Buckeyes Wire. I like his toughness — his grit, and the way he plays, you know it always come down to toughness. That’s also what I pride myself in. I’m a tough, blue-collar kid and that’s what I really admire.”
Ohio State’s Chris Spielman (36). Credit: USA TODAY Sports
Typically when tasked with finding a favorite Buckeye, people usually pick someone they were alive to see, but Powers had a more unique take citing Chris Spielman as his favorite. Spielman’s last season in the NFL was before Powers was even born, but with his family history the answer is not surprising at all.
Powers’ father is not only a linebacker coach, but was a former All-American at Findlay before earning a tryout with the Dallas Cowboys and raised his son on Spielman film. It almost brings a tear to your eye as an Ohio raised linebacker with football bloodlines and an old-school humble mentality talks about the linebacking greats from yesteryear.
And there are some similarities there. Powers is cut out of a little different cloth than most kids these days. His favorite pastime is not playing video games but rather fishing. He has social media, but doesn’t really see many benefits in using it that much. He seems like a high character kid that spends most of his time working on his craft rather than working on his brand.
Powers is much taller than Spielman, but has the same type of sideline to sideline athleticism, and as Ryan Stewart also mentions in the interview, a more recent comparison to Gabe Powers is James Laurinaitis. This comparison maybe even more appropriate considering Laurinaitis has a more similar body type and athleticism.
“I think that the linebacker that reminds me the most of Gabe, that like I’ve met him and he’s a nice guy,” Stewart Said “But just like their physical build and how they play is James Laurinaitis … could run, cover.”
That may be, but we couldn’t help but think about how much Chris Spielman was in Powers’ attitude, work ethic, and outlook on the game of football as we sat in the gym and talked to him. And, you know what number he wears? That’s right, the No. 36.
We’ll have more on Powers and our interview with him in the coming days, but it’s been awhile since Ohio State has had a great linebacker like the Spielman and Laurinaitis. Could Powers be a guy similar to those two? Time will tell, but if his play on the field is anything like his character off of it, there’s a good chance Buckeye Nation is going to fall in love with the kid that has the right attitude to become a fan favorite.
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ESPN put together a list of the best eighty defenders in the college game from the 2000s and Ohio State football is well represented.
It’s no secret that the Ohio State football program has had some extremely talented players that have gone on to make a name for themselves at the next level. And it’s on both sides of the ball really. However, the defensive side of the ball has produced perhaps a little more top-notch talent that has made a pretty big splash both in college and in the NFL.
And Buckeye fans aren’t the only ones that have noticed. ESPN’s Bill Connelly put together a list of the 80 best college defenders of the 2000s, and Ohio State is very well represented with five players on appearing. We could nitpick this all day as you’ll see, but it’s a fine effort from the resident ESPN expert analytical guru.
So let’s get right into it and pour through the OSU players and where they rank on Connelly’s list.
Former Buckeye James Laurinaitis’s father passed away this week, we reflect on his career and that of his son. Oh what a rush.
Depending on how long you have been a fan you probably recognize the name Laurinaitis. James played linebacker for Ohio State and was really, really good. However, his father was known well before that to wrestling fans everywhere. Joe Laurinaitis, better known as Road Warrior Animal or Animal, was one half of what many consider the best tag team wrestling team in history. He was also a Buckeyes super fan.
When his son played at Ohio State you could see Joe patrolling the sidelines, looking like he was ready to play himself. The Animal was there every step of the way for his son, and for the Buckeyes as well. His passing was felt from the wrestling world to the football world.
Growing up I remember the awe of seeing the Road Warriors aka The Legion of Doom come down to the ring in spiked football pads. Both Warrior and Hawk would demolish their opponents with hard-hitting and powerful moves. When you watched James play, you could see where he got his athletic ability and his power from. James certainly earned the moniker of “Little Animal”.
💔 I Hate that I didn’t get to say goodbye. I miss you already and I love you! “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18 pic.twitter.com/rb2uBE5U73
As the years went by and James played for the Buckeyes, Joe always made sure that the spotlight was for James. When James won the Lott Trophy for the IMPACT player of the year or the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for the best defensive player, there was Animal, standing proud next to his son.
However, Animal and Hawk gave us their own highlights. Animal and Hawk were enshrined in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011, and both held numerous titles during their careers. Joe has been enshrined in various wrestling Halls of Fame — the NWA, Minnesota, Quebec, Professional Wrestling, and Wrestling Observer Times. He won many awards, but none for Joe were as important to him as his son’s.
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Thank you Joe, and Buckeye Nation is standing with you James. We hold the memories dear, both of Joe and James. If James, who is up for induction this year, makes it into the college football Hall of Fame, there is no doubt he will pay tribute to his father. In his own words, “Oh What a Rush!”
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Joe Laurinaitis, half of the great Road Warriors, has died at 60
The world of professional wrestling has suffered another death. The great Joe Laurinaitis, one half of the incomparable tag team the Road Warriors, has died at the age of 60.
At this time, we would like to confirm the passing of Joseph Laurinaitis aka Road Warrior Animal at the age of 60. The family is planning to release a statement later today. At this time we ask for you to keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers. #OhWhatARush
I Am More Than Saddened To Hear Of The Loss Of My Good Friend And GREAT Opponent Joe Laurinaitis Of The Legendary Road Warriors. They Were Iconic! The Road Warriors And The Four Horsemen Drew More Money And Had More Fun And Entertained Fans Worldwide At The Highest Level. RIP 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/eiZ2udqGNm
His tag-team partner, Michael Hegstrand, Road Warrior Hawk, died in 2003. Joe Laurinaitis’ son, James, played football at Ohio State and in the NFL.
Just found out that Road Warrior Animal has left us. Very sad to hear this, always such a nice guy whenever I would see him. So, I have a Tasmanian Devil tattoo on my right arm, he was my inspiration to get that before I started wrestling training. #RIPpic.twitter.com/iynxmE8pkb
MY ROAD WARRIOR ANIMAL BROTHER. YOU WERE MOST OVER TAG TEAM EVER. WE HAVE THE BEST TIME IN THE MINNESOTA FOREVER I LOVE YOU. RIP BUBBA pic.twitter.com/dLzAy2uRaa
A trio of former Ohio State players will appear on the ballot for the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame class.
The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced the names on the 2021 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame Tuesday, with three Ohio State players included. Chris Ward, James Laurinaitis, and Mike Doss are all up for inclusion. The ballot includes 78 players and seven coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision, and 99 players and 33 coaches from the divisional ranks.
“It’s an enormous honor to just be on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot considering more than 5.4 million people have played college football and only 1,027 players have been inducted,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell in a released statement. “The Hall’s requirement of being a First-Team All-American creates a much smaller pool of about 1,500 individuals who are even eligible. Being in today’s elite group means an individual is truly among the greatest to have ever played the game, and we look forward to announcing the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Class.”
Announcing the 2021 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot!
Breaking down the best defensive and special teams players to play for the Rams during the 2010s.
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Despite an up-and-down decade on offense, the Rams have had one of the better defenses in the NFL since Jeff Fisher took over as head coach in 2012. They had a fearsome pass rush even before Aaron Donald arrived and their secondary has always been a tough out for opposing quarterbacks. The Rams became known for their defensive identity before Sean McVay arrived, and they continued to shine under McVay and Wade Phillips.
There are a lot of players deserving of a spot on the Rams 2010s All-Decade Team, at least compared to the other side of the ball. To choose this group, we only factored in the achievements of a player during their time with the Rams between 2010-2019. For example, Chris Long’s first two years with the Rams did not affect his status on this list.
You can read the selections for offense here. We’ll start with the defensive line, and we’ll end with special teams.
Defensive end/EDGE: Robert Quinn (2011-2017) & Chris Long (2010-2015)
Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Since the Rams ran two different styles of defense last decade, we’ll be combining some positions here. But this is one of the most obvious choices of the entire list.
Robert Quinn’s 2013 season was one for the ages. Quinn recorded 19 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, 34 quarterback hits, seven forced fumbles, and even scored a touchdown. He was named a First-Team All-Pro, the only All-Pro selection of the decade for a Rams defensive player not named Aaron Donald, and won the PFWA Defensive Player of the Year award.
The rest of Quinn’s tenure with the Rams wasn’t too shabby. He totaled 62.5 sacks in his seven years with the team, which is tied for the fourth-most in franchise history. He’ll likely go down as one of the more underrated Rams.
Though Chris Long’s numbers weren’t as flashy as Quinn’s, he was a perfect complement to him on the other side of the defensive line. In addition 45.5 sacks and 56 tackles for loss during his six years with the Rams last decade, Long was a locker room leader, a team captain, and a well-respected teammate. Players have long been vocal about how much they enjoyed playing with him.
Despite spending eight seasons with the Rams, Long will be remembered for what he accomplished in his three seasons after leaving. He won back-to-back Super Bowls with the Patriots and Eagles in addition to being selected as the Walter Payton Man of the Year in his final NFL season. Regardless, the bulk of his career starts happened with the Rams, and he’s more than deserving of a spot on this list.
