James Laurinaitis inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame

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It is no secret that Ohio State churns out football talent year after year. There is no shortage of all-time greats to wear Scarlet and Gray, and now a former great has been recognized once again. Former OSU linebacker James Laurinaitis has been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. He becomes the 29th Buckeye to join the exclusive club and the fourth OSU linebacker alongside Tom Cousineau, Randy Gradishar, and Chris Spielman.

Known as the "Little Animal" after his famous WWF father, Joe "Road Warrior Animal" Laurinaitis, the Minnesota native would star for Ohio State from 2005 to 2008. During his time in Columbus, he would rack up 375 total tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, nine interceptions, and four forced fumbles. He would earn first-team All-American honors three years in a row, be named the only two-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and win the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as college football’s best defensive player in 2006, the Butkus Award as college football’s best linebacker in 2007, and the Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2008. No. 33 was also a two-time captain for the Buckeyes.

During his four years in Columbus, Laurinaitis would lead Ohio State to four straight Big Ten Championships, go 4-0 against Michigan, and make two straight national title game appearances. He would go on to be drafted in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. Over the course of an eight-year career, Laurinaitis would accumulate 871 tackles, 49 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, 10 interceptions, 35 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and nine fumble recoveries.

After a coaching stint with Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame, Laurinaitis would return home to join the OSU coaching staff in 2023, where he now serves as the linebackers coach.

Laurinaitis will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 8 at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas. It is an honor that is well deserved for one of the most beloved Buckeyes of all time.

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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State's James Laurinaitis is now a College Football Hall of Famer

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