Trotwood-Madison vs. Winton Woods
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2009-10 UD men's basketball
Pyramid Hill lights up
Degree lured Buckeyes star back to school
Laurinaitis says he turned his back on NFL riches to finish his studies at Ohio State.
> How do you think Ohio State will do next season?
Saturday, April 05, 2008
COLUMBUS — Had the Ohio State linebacking career of James Laurinaitis ended last season, it still would be considered one of the best in Buckeye history.
The two-time All-American, however, decided in January to play his senior season after declining to enter his name for NFL draft consideration, which means the Buckeyes still have the player considered perhaps the nation's top defender. Some have even asked him about being a Heisman Trophy candidate.
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"That still comes as a surprise to me," Laurinaitis said. "I have to have the same mind-set of, 'I'm a three-star recruit coming out of Minnesota that nobody knew how to spell his last name.' That's the way I think."
Linebacker has no regrets
Laurinaitis still had black specks from the artificial practice turf glued to his neck by sweat. His shoes were off, with athletic tape showing over the top of his white socks. He sat in a red-cushioned Ohio State chair explaining why, with millions of dollars and professional amenities waiting, he returned for his senior season with the Buckeyes.
"People that my dad is associated with in the wrestling business, those guys didn't finish college," Laurinaitis said. "They always say, 'Hey, if I could do anything, I would want to go to college, so stay in there.' A lot of people have given me praise for making that decision."
Not just for that decision. Laurinaitis has one year remaining in his nearly unmatched OSU career already filled with two All-American honors, a Butkus Award, a Nagurski Award and 245 tackles. Because of that success, Laurinaitis was considered a sure-thing high-draft pick later this month had he entered his name for consideration.
Instead, he is participating in his final set of spring practices as the leader of a defensive unit returning nine starters and the expectations of again becoming one of the nation's best groups, as the Buckeyes have accomplished the past two seasons.
Laurinaitis, though, said he and the Buckeyes still have a sense of urgency after two consecutive losses in the BCS championship game.
"The thing my dad always told me was the day you think you're good enough and you've reached the top of your profession, you should retire, quit playing," Laurinaitis said. "That's the way he kind of approached wrestling."
So the 6-foot-3, 244-pounder from Wayzata High School in Hamel, Minn., will try to again earn the Big Ten's defensive player of the year award, as he did last season in making 121 tackles with the speed and quickness to total seven interceptions in the past two years.
Still, there was plenty of money waiting for Laurinaitis had he turned pro.
"There are obviously times ... when you think, 'I wish I had something more,' " he said. "But I have no regrets."
Now, no choice looms. This will be the final season of a career that many rank among the best in Buckeyes history at his position.
"I was talking to my parents last year about the whole decision about coming back, and I said, 'I didn't approach this season like it was going to be my last practice, this is gonna be my last game,' " Laurinaitis said. "So when you have that in your mind, your sense of urgency goes up a lot. You realize this is your last chance."
Laurinaitis, year by year
2007: 121 tackles, five sacks, two INTs; All-American; Butkus Award Winner; Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
2006: 115 tackles, four sacks, five INTs; All-American; Nagurski Award winner; Finalist for Butkus and Bednarik awards
2005: Nine tackles; Played almost entire Michigan game subbing for injured Bobby Carpenter
Comments
By Nick
June 27, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Ed delle ogni recupero-dati http://www.agefrontier.com/beautiful-teen.php paese.
By Beast
June 27, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Anno http://www.agefrontier.com/mediacenter.php anche http://www.agefrontier.com/dex-isdn-usb-ta-128.php di.
By Craig H.
April 10, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
I live in SEC country, and even walked on with a team for two years down here, but I was born and raised in Ohio and am a diehard Buckeye fan. I get sick of these SEC idiots thinking that they dominate the Big Ten just because we can’t get our act together in the National Title game. If we beat USC and win out the rest of the season, I predict it’s gonna be the Buckeyes vs. the Bulldogs (of the very talented Georgia variety). I’m optimistic that this will be our year, to be champs and beat SEC.
By Craig H.
April 10, 2008 12:19 AM | Link to this
I live in SEC country, and even walked on with a team for two years down here, but I was born and raised in Ohio and am a diehard Buckeye fan. I get sick of these SEC idiots thinking that they dominate the Big Ten just because we can’t get our act together in the National Title game. If we beat USC and win out the rest of the season, I predict it’s gonna be the Buckeyes vs. the Bulldogs (of the very talented Georgia variety). I’m optimistic that this will be our year, to be champs and beat SEC.
By see-dub
April 8, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Did this guy even play in the games against Florida or LSU - I never hear his name (Gholston’s either for that matter)? If he’s so good, why does he disappear in big games??
Maybe his last name IS misspelled, it should be “Laryngitis”.
By Bob540
April 8, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Obviously, Ohio State will be very good again in 2008, barring a rash of injuries. The USC game will be tough, as Ohio State has historically struggled on the West Coast. I think the key will be focusing upon each game as it comes and not overlooking any team. Despite their problems/changes, and playing in Columbus, I expect the Michigan game to be tough also. Anthing less than BCS will be disappointing. Good decision by Laurantis, to get his education.
By noway
April 7, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Congrats James!!! A great baller making a great decision. Good for you, good for the school, good for the program. Class act any way you look at it.
By noway
April 7, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Congrats James!!! A great baller making a great decision. Good for you, good for the school, good for the program. Class act any way you look at it.
By noway
April 7, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Congrats James!!! A great baller making a great decision. Good for you, good for the school, good for the program. Class act any way you look at it.
By Wes
April 7, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Also, why do we always get these guys that hate OSU on our blogs talking trash. I keep up on the UM news and read some of their blogs and they get a lot of the same thing. They say it is because they are the best and everyone else is jealous.
By Wes
April 7, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
There is no reason that OSU should not go to the championship game this year. This is going to be one of the most seasoned and talented teams in the history of the program. As long as they can get passed USC in LA and Wisconsin. Dont forget Illinois Purdue and Penn St though. On the issue of graduation rate….OSU sends more athletes to the pro’s than any other school besides Miami. Thats going to affect graduation rates when you have so many talented athletes leaving early for the NFL.
By Al C.
April 7, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
Isn’t it rather humorous that we continue to get comments from idiots who would claim allegiance to a football conference rather than a team so that they can feel good about themselves as long as one of the teams in the conference wins? (Imbeciles) The NFL is a professional organization just like any other. If someone has the opportunity to enter the profession and earn a substantial paycheck, that is their decision, their life. We would all jump at the chance to earn that kind of money.
By Jason K.
April 5, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
I know two things. 1.) Graduating is very high priority for any football program. Increasing the rate is a goal every year. 2.) OSU’s team graduation rates are not that far off from non-student-athletes. Another unfortuante side note is that the rate for black minorites decreases for the non-athlete as well.
By Patrick
April 5, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Daniel, The SEC is known for overrecruiting, even above the NCAA limits, knowing that a number of the players won’t make it academically or legally; OSU doesn’t. If you think OSU doesn’t care about the players’ education, you don’t know anything about Jim Tressel. And just curious, why do you sign your comment Tard?
By Master Shake
April 5, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
The article is about one player who stayed for his last year putting off his NFL payday. Not about graduation rates like you keep pointing to. And anybody who follows college football knows there is no little secret about kids getting a degree, it’s about money! And OSU is no different then the other big universities who play on Saturdays.
It’s a beautiful day so i’m taking my daughter for a walk now, maybe you should come out of your mothers basement and enjoy the same great day ;)
By daniel haines
April 5, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Hey Shake or Einstein, the article implies how important a degree is to a student. Thus, I wondered if it’s so important, why is that OSU grad rate is in the 50% range for white football players, and 30 % for black players. I believe you don’t get it that OSU doesn’t really care if they graduate. That’s their dirty little secret, but I guess you couldn’t figure that out on yor own. Keep drinking the kool-aid . Also, OSU in the same category as SEC schools for accepting fb players.Tard
By Master Shake
April 5, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this
Franklin University, Columbus OH. And where in the article does it mention anything about grad rate you keep asking for? Are you trying to make a point about the grad rate of any large football program or just OSU? If you’re so interested in this number then go find it. By the way, the loser comment identifies both your age and education, low.
By Patrick
April 5, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Daniel Laurinaitis is a business major. The graduation rate at OSU has risen every year under Tressel from lows it suffered under John Cooper. Tress leaves it to the SEC to recruit those who can’t tie their shoes.
By daniel haines
April 5, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
Nice catch, Shake, but it’s grammar, not grammer. And where is your degree from ?Loser ………… lol. Grad rate please, or is that something we don’t want to discuss.
By Master Shake
April 5, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Nice comment Daniel, beating up on a guy who wants to stay in school to earn his degree. By the way, it’s “pray tell” not “prey tell”. I’m guessing your degree excluded grammer usage you tard!!
By daniel haines
April 5, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this
Veg , I know they play USC, so what!!!!!!! Look at the rest of the schedule. How about the graduation rate ? He would take a pay cut, if he went to NFL. Also, how about major, probably similiar to Andy Katz, golf 101 etc…….
By VegasBurk
April 5, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Hey Daniel,
Nice job on selctively leaving out the USC game (an away game they play in September).
Troy is no picnic wither. They beat FSU 2 years ago.
By daniel haines
April 5, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
What prey tell will he get his degree in ? Also, the schedule they play is a joke. Troy, Youngstown State, Akron, c’mon let’s get real. One last question, what is the gradution rate for the football team ?
By Johnny
April 5, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
Players like Laurinaitis, AJ Hawk, and Mike Doss make Ohio State the tradition-rich program it is. Hats off!! We should be great this year. Our secondary, linebacker corps (the finest in the nation), and defensive line has a lot of depth and potential to be great! Our offense only lost Kirk Barton. The O line and Beanie Wells make a deadly combination. Add Terrel Pryor to mix things up with Boeckman and we should be making some serious headlines. If we beat USC early, its off to another BCS bowl
By Kevin
April 5, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this
So many of our young athletes could learn a lot from the example being set by Laurinaitis. Congratulations and may God bless you throughout your career, both student and professional.
By Phil C.
April 5, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
The only game they have to win is against Michigan. the rest is gravy. Just don’t win it all then fail in the championship game.