25 best college football players not in the College Football Hall of Fame (yet)

NEW YORK - DECEMBER 14: Carson Palmer of the University of Southern California speaks with the press after winning the 68th annual Heisman Trophy Award at The Yale Club December 14, 2002 in New York City. The USC quarterback became the first west coast player win the trophy since 1981. Palmer received 242 first-place votes winning by 233 over second place Iowa quarterback Brad Banks. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) /

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James Laurinaitis #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

3. James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, LB

James Laurinaitis was a presence up the middle for the Ohio State defense. That is the best way to describe him. The opposing offenses knew where he was at all times, and there was still nothing they could do to stop him. He was a three-time All American on a team that eventually won a National Championship.

The awards only tell part of the story, and there were a lot of them. He won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2006, the Butkus Award in 2007, and the Lott Impact Trophy in 2008. Again, he was a three-time All American showing dominance over an entire career at linebacker. He even won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year twice, the only player to do that unanimously.

Laurinaitis did just about everything. In his first season as a starter. He led his team in tackles and interceptions. He also added 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. The numbers only got better from there. He was second in the Big Ten with 130 tackles in 2008. He was second in the Big Ten in interceptions in 2006.

Laurinaitis ended up being a really good pro, but his time at Ohio State will always be his best. He led that defense to two National Championship Games and four Big Ten titles. He helped put in a winning mentality that still lives on for the Buckeyes today. Laurinaitis is one of the best defensive players to ever wear an Ohio State uniform. That needs to be remembered forever.

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