Scarlet Sunrise: Former Ohio State star Mike Doss inducted into College Football Hall of Fame
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Former Ohio State star Mike Doss inducted into College Football Hall of Fame
Former Ohio State safety Mike Doss, who played for the Buckeyes from 1999-2002, became the 27th player in program history to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame Tuesday evening. Doss is one of just eight Ohio State players to be a three-time first-team All-American.
The star safety had a storybook final season in Columbus. He helped Ohio State win its first national title since 1970 while piling up a career-high 107 tackles. Doss was a team captain and a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award — given annually to the top defensive back in college football — as the Buckeyes completed their first 14-0 season in school history. Doss capped the remarkable year with a stellar performance in the Fiesta Bowl (for the BCS National Championship): In addition to making nine tackles, he recorded an interception and 35-yard return that set up the Buckeyes’ first touchdown of the 31-24, double overtime win over Miami. Doss, also the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2002, was named the game’s defensive MVP.
After playing in 50 games and starting in 40 of them while totaling the most career tackles (331) by a defensive back in Ohio State history, Doss started his NFL career. He was a second-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts, who he played for the next six years. That included the 2006 season, during which the Colts won Super Bowl XLI.
Doss spent the final two years of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings (2007) and Cincinnati Bengals (2008).
C.J. Stroud last among four finalists in Heisman Trophy odds
Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud may be the only repeat Heisman Trophy finalist this year, but he’s got the lowest odds to win the award, according to VegasInsider, which has Stroud at +4000. USC dual threat Caleb Williams remains the favorite at -1600.
The other two quarterbacks in contention are TCU’s Max Duggan (+1600) and Georgia’s Stetson Bennett IV (+3000). The winner will be announced Saturday at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
Ohio State is tied with Oklahoma and Notre Dame for the most Heisman Trophy winners (seven) all-time — that, of course, includes running back Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman winner in the sport’s history. The last Buckeyes player to hoist the trophy was quarterback Troy Smith in 2006.
Stroud finished fourth in Heisman voting last year, behind Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
READ: C.J. Stroud named Heisman Trophy finalist for second straight year
Even though Stroud appears to be a long shot for the Heisman at this point, he’s still racking up other accolades. The projected top-five NFL Draft pick was named AP Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Wednesday. He was also one of five Buckeyes players to receive AP first-team All-Big Ten honors.
Freshman DE Omari Abor sheds black stripe for Buckeyes
Bowl practice has started, and that means younger players have an opportunity to make a mark in the three-plus weeks leading up to the Peach Bowl.
Defensive end Omari Abor already accomplished that, shedding his black stripe Wednesday. He became the 14th true freshman to do so this season.
During the regular season, Abor played in only one game for just eight snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. The Duncanville, Texas, native was the No. 79 overall prospect in the 2022 cycle.
Want to stay up to date with Ohio State’s transfer portal activity?
The transfer portal is going wild.
Ohio State doesn’t rely on the portal like other programs — in fact, the Buckeyes have taken just eight transfers since the portal came to be in October 2018 — but head coach Ryan Day and his staff occasionally turn to it to fill a hole or two. Plus, ever year, some Ohio State players enter their name into the portal to find other playing opportunities.
So it’s important to stay up to date with what’s happening, and Lettermen Row has you covered.
Just check out our transfer tracker!
Counting down
Peach Bowl: 24 days away
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 353 days
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