We’ve been going through a series here at Buckeyes Wire. It’s a debate on which Ohio State football player is the best to wear specific jersey numbers, and we’re now cruising along to No. 13.

Before we get into all the fun, here’s an update on where we stand with all the jersey numbers we’ve debated to date:

Jersey No. 1 | Jersey No. 2 | Jersey No. 3 | Jersey No. 4 | Jersey No. 5 | Jersey No. 6 | Jersey No. 7 | Jersey No. 8 | Jersey No. 9 | Jersey No. 10 | Jersey No. 11 | Jersey No. 12

We’re doing this because while things are beginning to slowly open up, we’re all still a little stir crazy from getting cabin fever due to the measures put in place to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Thank goodness things are slowly starting to reopen. Golf, NASCAR, underwater basket weaving — if it’s live, I find myself watching it now.

But we digress. In the long, illustrious history of Ohio State football, there is sure to be some disagreement, but that only makes it more fun.

We will continue to keep going along his journey through the summer and will have the results of all of these polls further down the road. For now though, get your voice heard by voting in the Twitter poll below:

Vote on the best Ohio State football player to ever wear No. 13? It's our latest in the series to define the best of each jersey number. Was it @ReeseClarett13, Damon Moore, or @EliApple. See what I, @markrussell1975 and @SirBrockNetter said – #GoBucks https://t.co/rLhj0n762T

— Buckeyes Wire (@BuckeyesWire) May 28, 2020

Okay, Mark, as always — you are up first …

Next … Mark’s thoughts

Some of you may be too young to have seen former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett play. Even so, you’re probably familiar with his story.

Clarett came to Columbus with a ton of hype and delivered immediately his freshman year. He because the only freshman running back to start from day one at the time, had over 1,300 yards on the ground — at that time a freshman record — and helped lead the Buckeyes to a national championship over Miami in January of 2003.

It was a season to remember, and one that doesn’t end with a banner being hung and memories to recall without his contributions.

However, there was another side to his story, one of trouble. His relationship with Ohio State became fractured and strained because of some public criticism, an ESPN the Magazine story on his intent to leave the Buckeye program after one year, and then the acceptance of impermissible benefits that had him sit out his sophomore season, and eventually leave the program.

It all led to a downward spiral that led to some legal troubles, an arrest, and eventual jail time. Clarett looked like another spoiled athlete became a casualty of listening to and surrounding himself with the wrong crowd, and allowing bitterness to lead to a life thrown away.

But there’s a good and redemptive side to the story. Clarett has turned his life around. He’s started a behavioral health and substance abuse agency called the Red Zone, and often speaks to gatherings as an example of someone that has turned their life around into a positive role model and difference-maker in society.

And now, it appears he would love to get back in the good graces of Ohio State and mend fences. In a wide-ranging and extremely thoughtful piece by Adam Rittenberg of ESPN, Clarrett’s story is chronicled from praised athlete, to the fallen cautionary tale, to a life of purpose.

"My life started once the game was over."

Maurice Clarett is helping those who face the same demons he did: In his hometown and eventually with a facility for college athletes. He also hopes to reconnect with #OhioState.

My latest on @ReeseClarett13: https://t.co/GHfJ5FIwN9

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) May 12, 2020

In the story, Clarett expresses his desire to become part of the Ohio State culture once again.

“In the past four years, Clarett has spoken to many high-profile college football teams but not the one 20 minutes from his home.” writes Rittenberg. “His Ohio State affiliation can best be described as limited. He attends one or two football games each season and follows the team. In 2012, he returned for the 10-year reunion of his national championship team but felt “‘real funky'” and “‘uncomfortable.'”

Clarett went on to describe what the program means to him.

“‘There’s been enough time to say, ‘Hey, us as an institution, we’re not there anymore, and you as a person, you’re not there anymore,'” Clarett told Rittenberg. “‘A large part of what I’m known for today is [because of my] time spent at Ohio State. I love Ohio State. I love what it’s done for me, what it continues to do for me.”‘

According to Rittenberg, Smith told ESPN that Ohio State’s coaches decide who speaks to their teams and that Clarett should reach out to them or to Smith.

“The people he may have had challenges with are all gone,” Smith said. “He’s done a great job with what he’s done. It’s great to see people like him change their lives to an unbelievable positive. I’ve listened to him, I’ve seen him talk, he’d be great. He has to make the attempt to reach out.”

“We have people calling us every day. If he called us, we’d embrace him.”

And you have to believe that. Clarett is a deep part of Ohio State, just like Ohio State is engrained in his life purpose. He’s even had an opportunity to meet Ryan Day and hopes to rebuild a connection.

“What I contributed to this place and what I made people proud of, it was from an 18-year-old kid who loved this place more than anyone could love anything else,” said Clarett. “What’s done is done, brother. It’s over.”

“How do you move forward?”

Hopefully, for Buckeye Nation and Clarett, that’s a question answered with an embrace, forgiveness, and redemption. It sure sounds like Day and staff have a great candidate for a Real-Life Wednesday visit.

Make it happen.