IMO the top 5 LB's in the last TWENTY years at OSU. Keep in mind this is just NCAA years and not including NFL careers.
1. Andy Katzenmoyer
2. James Laurinaitis
3. AJ Hawk
4. Steve Tovar
5. Na'il Diggs
Carpenter, Wilhelm, Lorenzo Styles, Craig Powell, Is there anyone else I am forgetting??
I'd put Wilhelm in that top 5 personally (probably at 5), but otherwise I agree w/your list on every point. I might throw Rolle in the list of those who might not make the Top 5, but are pretty darn close.
Rolle is honorable mention too methinks.
Wilhelm belongs top five I think.
1. Hawk
2. Katzenmoyer
3. Laurinaits
4. Tovar
5. Wilhelm
The 2012 National Champions.
Schlegel?
edit/ maybe I remember him being better because of his counterparts.
I know there's a game saturday, and my ass will be there.
Katzenmoyer was never as good as Laurinatis. Bigger and faster but not a better player.
D. Anthony
Greg Bellisari?? Not top 5 but maybe honorable mention
I think that Rolle could make the list as well and that perhaps Diggs could be higher. Katzenmoyer was a beast, and I think that it would be tough to overrate him. Rolle was fast and tiny and wonderful to watch. I miss having him around.
I think 1-3 could all be considered #1. Don't forget how good Tovar was- played 20 years ago but he was the most consistent tackling LB and a great team leader.
The Big Kat started from day one as a true freshman and made some of the key defensive plays that year that kept the Buckeyes on track to the Rose Bowl. True physical specimen and great instincts. Hawk would be next and then Laurinaitis, Wilhelm, everybody else.
An angry fan...rooting for an angry team...led by angry coaches
1.Hawk 2. Laurinitis 3. Katzenmoyer. After that, it doesn't really matter. I will say that Wilhelm was highly underrated and deserves a top 5 spot.
I'd go twenty five years so we can get one of the best of all time in there. Mr. Spielman.
1 Chris Spielman
2 James Laurinitis
3 AJ Hawk
4 Andy Katzenmoyer
5 Matt Wilhelm/Steve Tovar