There were almost too many great Buckeyes to select for the Ohio State All-Decade team.
The 2010s were a decade of change for not only Ohio State but for college football. Although, the decade didn’t start off well for Ohio State.
Jim Tressel, who led the Buckeyes to three BCS National Championship games and one National Title, was fired because of “Tattoogate” after the 2010 season. The Buckeyes went 6-7 in 2011 under interim head coach Luke Fickell.
After some delayed gratification, the Buckeyes brought in Urban Meyer. He not only restored Ohio State to its former dominance but transformed the program into an offensive powerhouse. Despite the departure of Meyer in 2018, Ryan Day took the reigns and didn’t skip a beat. His team went 12-0 in the regular season and won the Big Ten Championship Game before losing to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl.
In the 2010s, Ohio State was either a division champion or co-champion in the Big Ten in every year that there have been divisions, except for 2011. They are the only team in the Big Ten that can say that.
While Wisconsin (six) has one more Big Ten Championship Game appearance than Ohio State (five), no team has more wins (four) than Ohio State. Three of those wins were against Wisconsin, and Ohio State has never lost to a Big Ten West representative.
In this decade, Ohio State has won one National Championship, had two undefeated regular seasons, four conference championships, and won six bowl games.
But most importantly, they went 9-1 against Michigan, winning the last eight in a row.
Ohio State All-Decade Offense
QB: Dwayne Haskins
It was hard to leave out J.T. Barrett, but Dwayne Haskins’ one season was unbelievable. His completion percentage of 70.0, 4,831 passing yards, and 50 passing touchdowns are far above any other performances at quarterback. Barrett still deserves recognition for his accomplishments over a four-year span. But it’s so close, Haskins and Barrett aren’t No. 1 and No. 2, but No. 1a and No. 1b.
RB: Ezekiel Elliot, J.K. Dobbins
This was the easiest position to decide. Ezekiel Elliott and J.K. Dobbins are two of the best to ever do it in Columbus. Dobbins and Elliott are numbers two and three on Ohio State’s all-time rushing list, respectively. Carlos Hyde was worth a mention as well, though he wasn’t quite at the same level.
WR: Michael Thomas, Devin Smith
Michael Thomas gets attention because of his NFL success, but many forget that Devin Smith was one of the best deep threats in the country. In his senior year, Smith had 931 yards, 28.3 yards per catch, and 12 touchdowns. Those are all better stats than Thomas ever had at Ohio State. K.J Hill gets an honorable mention for consistency over four years. Even though he was consistent, he didn’t make this list because he was never the best receiver on the team.
TE: Jeff Heuerman
The tight end position is mostly a blocking position at Ohio State. But Jeff Heuerman gets the nod here because he was the best all-around player at the position. Marcus Baugh was the best receiving tight end this decade, but blocking was more important for Meyer.
Flex: Curtis Samuel
Of all the players at the H-back position, Curtis Samuel fit it the best. He entered the program as a running back and would likely have been a great one if he had to stay there. But his ability at wide receiver drew the attention of the Carolina Panthers. His pure athleticism helped him fit wherever they needed him. Whenever Samuel lined up in the formation, he was usually the best athlete on the field.
OT: Taylor Decker, Jack Mewhort
Jack Mewhort started his career at guard but ended up at left tackle where he was an All-American in 2013. Taylor Decker replaced him and won All-America honors himself two years later. Both were taken in the early rounds of the NFL Draft.
IOL: Billy Price, Pat Elflein, Wyatt Davis
Pat Elflein and Billy Price were both All-American guards converted to Rimington Award-winning centers. Wyatt Davis is the only active player on the All-Decade offense. Davis has also won All-American honors at guard but probably won’t move to center with Josh Myers holding down the position.
