Best Ohio State football players: Modern-era Mount Rushmore

A native of Sandusky, OH, the fact that Orlando Pace chose to stay in-state and suit up for the Buckeyes for his college football career is to the delight of every fan in Columbus. While it’s hard to totally quantify just how dominant an offensive lineman is or was — especially in the mid-1990s — there is little doubt that Pace cemented his legacy as one of the greatest offensive linemen to ever play at the collegiate level.

Pace’s talent and prowess were on display from the moment he stepped on campus at Ohio State. He became only the second true freshman in the history of the program to be an opening-day starter for the Buckeyes, a decision that was never regretted. But while he was effective from the get-go, he only got better.

Throughout his three years in college, Pace racked up one accolade after another. He won the Lombardi Award in both the 1995 and 1996 seasons in addition to winning the Outland Trophy in 1996. Perhaps most impressive, however, is the fact that Pace was actually able to make noise in the Heisman Trophy race, finishing as a finalist and fourth in the voting in 1996, the highest finish for an offensive lineman since 1980. He also made the pancake block famous.

Whenever on the field for the Buckeyes, Pace truly looked like a man among boys. He was that physically imposing and that dominant when clearing the way in the trenches. You can’t talk about the greats of Ohio State football without the big fella being at the forefront.