The Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame, known as a bastion in college football, boasts a rich roster of former players. Annually, it welcomes new inductees, which this year includes a diverse group spanning various sports.
Christy Blough (men’s volleyball), Chase Buchanan (men’s tennis), Tiffany Cameron (women’s soccer), Michael Hartfield (men’s track and field), Jeff Logan (football), Marisa Main (women’s volleyball), Brian Mannino (baseball), Braxton Miller (football), Kathy Monard (women’s cross country/track), Greg Oden (men’s basketball), Tony Russo (men’s lacrosse), Kyle Snyder (wrestling), Gene Smith (administrator), and Matt Wilhelm (football) are among those honored in the Class of 2024, according to a recent announcement from the institution.
Three Former Buckeye Football Players Head to Ohio State Hall of Fame
Jeff Logan 1974-77
Becoming “the guy after the guy” is always a daunting task. For Jeff Logan, it meant stepping into the role following possibly the greatest college football player ever, two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin. However, Logan managed to carve out his own legacy and secure a place in the Ohio State Hall of Fame.
After patiently waiting his turn, Logan seized the opportunity when it arrived. In his debut season as a starter, he rushed 204 times for 1,248 yards and scored five touchdowns. His rushing total ranked fourth in program history at the time and remains among the top-20 records to this day. Logan was also named co-captain of the 1977 team.
Across his career, Logan amassed 1,890 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in 35 games. He also contributed seven receptions for 73 yards. His efforts helped Ohio State claim consecutive Big Ten titles during his significant playing time. Logan currently ranks 29th in all-time career rushing yards for the Buckeyes.
Following his college career, Logan was drafted by the Baltimore Colts in the seventh round of the 1978 NFL Draft, marking the next chapter in his football journey.
Matt Wilhelm 1999-2002
In 2002, Wilhelm was a key figure on the BCS National Championship team, playing middle linebacker in Jon Tenuta’s and later Mark Dantonio’s defense. His standout performance that year, earning him consensus All-American honors, brought him significant recognition.
Wilhelm led the Buckeyes that season with 121 tackles, including a notable 11 tackles in the BCS National Championship game against Miami (FL). He also achieved 19.5 tackles for loss in 2002, which remains the ninth-highest single-season total in Ohio State history. Throughout his career, Wilhelm amassed 266 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks across 48 games. His 34.5 tackles for loss rank eighth all-time in the program’s history.
Selected by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft, Wilhelm later became a member of the Green Bay Packers team that won Super Bowl XLV in 2010.
Braxton Miller 2011-15
Finally, the most recent addition to Ohio State’s roster, Miller proved to be one of the most electrifying athletes in the team’s recent history. Initially starting as a quarterback, Miller eventually transitioned to wide receiver.
Miller arrived at Ohio State highly touted from Springfield, Ohio, and quickly made his mark, assuming the starting quarterback role after just three games as a freshman. In that debut season, he threw for 1,159 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 715 yards and seven touchdowns, standing out in an otherwise challenging 2011 campaign that ended 6-7. Under Urban Meyer’s coaching in 2012, Miller flourished, leading the Buckeyes to an undefeated 12-0 season with 2,039 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and a career-best 1,271 rushing yards with 13 scores.
His success continued into 2013, where he amassed 2,094 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 1,068 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns until a shoulder injury in the Orange Bowl halted his quarterbacking career. A subsequent reinjury in August 2014 sidelined him for the entire season and the College Football Playoff.
Due to the quarterback competition and his injury history, Miller transitioned to wide receiver for the 2015 season, where he contributed 601 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns, including a memorable spin move against Virginia Tech.
In total, Miller achieved numerous accolades:
– Thompson-Randle-El Freshman of the Year (2011)
– Second-Team All-American (2012)
– Chicago Tribune Silver Football (2012, 2013)
– Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year (2012, 2013)
– Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year (2012, 2013)
– First-Team All-Big Ten (2012, 2013)
His 8,609 total offensive yards rank third in program history, with 3,314 rushing yards (seventh) and 5,292 passing yards (twelfth). Miller also set a school record with 88 total touchdowns, second only to J.T. Barrett’s 147.
Miller was drafted in the third round by the Houston Texans in the 2016 NFL Draft, concluding a remarkable collegiate career despite his transition and injuries.
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