2007 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Ohio State Buckeyes football team competed in football
on behalf of the Ohio State University
during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season
. The Buckeyes were coached
by Jim Tressel
and played their home games in Ohio Stadium
in Columbus, Ohio
. Tressel led the Buckeyes to their fourth Big Ten championship and third National Title game in six years, and their second straight National Title game defeat.
finished the season as Big Ten Conference
champions and ranked
#2 in the final AP and Coaches' polls. They finished the regular season undefeated and advanced to the 2007 BCS National Championship Game
where they lost to the Florida Gators
, ending the season with a record of 12-1.
announced the hiring of Assistant Coach Taver Johnson. Johnson is a native of Cincinnati and a graduate of Wittenberg University
. He had spent most of his coaching career at Miami University
and had a very brief stint with the Oakland Raiders
. Coach Johnson will replace Tim Beckman, who left Ohio State to become Defensive Coordinator at Oklahoma State University. Coach Johnson will coach the Cornerbacks.
and Marcus Freeman
along with defensive end Vernon Gholston
were among the list of 65 players under consideration for the Bednarik Award while Chris "Beanie" Wells
was on the 65-player list for the Maxwell Award
.
in the Louisiana Superdome
. This was the first time in the school's history that the football team had played back to back National Championship games. The Buckeyes ended up losing the game to the Louisiana State University Tigers, 38-24. After a strong initial start (a 10-0 run in the first quarter in favor of the Buckeyes), the LSU Tigers went on one of their own, 31-0, from the first to third quarters. Two key pivotal special teams plays contributed to the LSU run, one being a blocked 38 yard Ryan Pretorius (Ohio State) field goal in the first quarter, and a roughing the kicker penalty committed by Austin Spitler (Ohio State) on a punt that extended an LSU touchdown drive in the third.Though the LSU run was simply too much to overcome, the Buckeyes added two more touchdowns to make a respectable final score.
2008 NFL draftees
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
on behalf of the Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season
2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 30, 2007, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 7, 2008, where the top...
. The Buckeyes were coached
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
by Jim Tressel
Jim Tressel
James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
and played their home games in Ohio Stadium
Ohio Stadium
Ohio Stadium is the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team and is located on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. The stadium was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service on March 22, 1974...
in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
. Tressel led the Buckeyes to their fourth Big Ten championship and third National Title game in six years, and their second straight National Title game defeat.
Schedule
Previous season
The 2006 Buckeyes squad2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 2006 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team representing the Ohio State University in the college football season of 2006-2007. The team's head coach was Jim Tressel. The Buckeyes played their home games in Ohio Stadium...
finished the season as Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
champions and ranked
2006 NCAA Division I-A football rankings
Three human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a National Championship title. That title is bestowed by one or...
#2 in the final AP and Coaches' polls. They finished the regular season undefeated and advanced to the 2007 BCS National Championship Game
2007 BCS National Championship Game
The 2007 BCS National Championship Game, sponsored by Tostitos, was an American football game played at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on January 8, 2007. The BCS No. 2 Florida Gators defeated the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes, 41–14. The Buckeyes secured a spot by finishing...
where they lost to the Florida Gators
2006 Florida Gators football team
The 2006 Florida Gators football team represented the University of Florida in the sport of American football during the 2006 college football season...
, ending the season with a record of 12-1.
Preseason
On March 6, Coach Jim TresselJim Tressel
James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
announced the hiring of Assistant Coach Taver Johnson. Johnson is a native of Cincinnati and a graduate of Wittenberg University
Wittenberg University
Wittenberg University is a private four-year liberal arts college in Springfield, Ohio serving 2,000 full-time students representing 37 states and approximately 30 foreign countries...
. He had spent most of his coaching career at Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
and had a very brief stint with the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. Coach Johnson will replace Tim Beckman, who left Ohio State to become Defensive Coordinator at Oklahoma State University. Coach Johnson will coach the Cornerbacks.
Watch lists
Linebackers James LaurinaitisJames Laurinaitis
-St. Louis Rams:Laurinaitis was drafted in the 2nd round 35th overall by the St. Louis Rams. On July 29, 2009, he signed a four-year, $5.1 million contract. The deal contained $3.3 million guaranteed...
and Marcus Freeman
Marcus Freeman (linebacker)
Marcus Freeman is the linebackers coach for Kent State University and is a former American football linebacker. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
along with defensive end Vernon Gholston
Vernon Gholston
Vernon Gholston is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Ohio State and was drafted sixth overall by the New York Jets in the 2008 NFL Draft....
were among the list of 65 players under consideration for the Bednarik Award while Chris "Beanie" Wells
Chris Wells (American football)
Chris "Beanie" Michael Wells is an American football running back for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League...
was on the 65-player list for the Maxwell Award
Maxwell Award
The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The...
.
Michigan
National Championship Game
On January 7, 2008 the Buckeyes played at the BCS National Championship game in New Orleans, LouisianaLouisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
in the Louisiana Superdome
Louisiana Superdome
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA...
. This was the first time in the school's history that the football team had played back to back National Championship games. The Buckeyes ended up losing the game to the Louisiana State University Tigers, 38-24. After a strong initial start (a 10-0 run in the first quarter in favor of the Buckeyes), the LSU Tigers went on one of their own, 31-0, from the first to third quarters. Two key pivotal special teams plays contributed to the LSU run, one being a blocked 38 yard Ryan Pretorius (Ohio State) field goal in the first quarter, and a roughing the kicker penalty committed by Austin Spitler (Ohio State) on a punt that extended an LSU touchdown drive in the third.Though the LSU run was simply too much to overcome, the Buckeyes added two more touchdowns to make a respectable final score.
Roster
Wide Receivers
Offensive Tackles
Offensive Guards
Centers
Tight End
Quarterback
|
Running Back
Fullback
Defensive Lineman
Defensive Tackles
Defensive End
Cornerbacks
Defensive Backs
|
Linebackers
Safety
Long Snappers
Kickers
|
Coaching staff
- Jim TresselJim TresselJames Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
- Head Coach - Jim BollmanJim BollmanJim Bollman is the current offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team. Bollman has been the offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes since 2001, covering the entire tenure of head coach Jim Tressel.-External links:...
- Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line - Jim HeacockJim HeacockJim Heacock is the defensive coordinator of the Ohio State University football team. Heacock has been a coach since 1971. He was an assistant coach for the University of Washington Huskies from 1983–1987. As the team prepared for its bowl game in 1987 Heacock accepted a job as the head...
- Defensive Coordinator - Darrell HazellDarrell HazellDarrell Hazell is an American college football coach. He is currently the head coach at Kent State University.A native of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, Hazell attended Muskingum University starting in the fall of 1982. He played on the football team as a starter for his final three years at the school...
- Asst. Head Coach/Wide Receivers - Dick Tressel - Running Backs
- Joe Daniels - Quarterbacks
2008 NFL draftees2008 NFL DraftThe 2008 NFL Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 26 and April 27, 2008. For the 29th consecutive year, ESPN televised the draft; the NFL Network also broadcast the event, its third year doing so...
| Player | Round | Pick | Position | NFL Club |
| Vernon Gholston Vernon Gholston Vernon Gholston is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Ohio State and was drafted sixth overall by the New York Jets in the 2008 NFL Draft.... |
1 | 6 | Defensive End | New York Jets 2008 New York Jets season The 2008 New York Jets season was the 49th season for the club and the 39th season in the National Football League. The team succeeded in improving upon their 4–12 record from 2007, but did not make the playoffs.-Signings:... |
| Larry Grant Larry Grant (American football) Larry Grant is an American football linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the 49ers in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ohio State.Grant has also played for the St... |
7 | 214 | Linebacker | San Francisco 49ers 2008 San Francisco 49ers season The 2008 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 63rd season. Although they failed to reach the playoffs for the straight 6th year, the team improved on their disappointing 5-11 record from the 2007 season, and ended the season on a high note... |
| Kirk Barton Kirk Barton Kirk Barton is a free agent American football offensive tackle. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft of the National Football League. He played college football at Ohio State.... |
7 | 247 | Tackle | Chicago Bears 2008 Chicago Bears season The 2008 Chicago Bears season is the franchise's 89th regular season in the National Football League. They finished the 2008 season with a 9-7 record, improving upon their 7-9 record from the 2007 season... |