College Football Hall of Fame Voters Once Again Include Chris Ward and James Laurinaitis, Both From Ohio State
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Linebacker James Laurinaitis and offensive lineman Chris Ward, both formerly of Ohio State, are among the 78 players from the Football Bowl Division who are being considered for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame, as announced by the National Football Foundation on Monday.
The new members will be formally inducted on December 10, 2024, in Atlanta, with the announcement coming early in the following year. In the years 2006–2008, Laurinaitis was a three-time first-team All-American, including a unanimous selection in 2007.
He recently joined the OSU coaching staff. He won the award for best defensive player in the Big Ten Conference twice. He was a major reason why Ohio State won four conference titles and reached the BCS title game in back-to-back seasons.
For the fifth year in a row, Laurinaitis will be up for election.
Ward was voted to the All-American first team twice, the second time by a unanimous vote in 1977. Three times he was named to the Big Ten’s first team and four times he helped Ohio State win at least a share of the league title.
In 1975, he was a key blocker for Archie Griffin, allowing the running back to win the Heisman Trophy for a record second time. This is Ward’s sixth time running for office.
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There are three additional candidates with ties to Ohio. Ohio Wesleyan defensive end Neil Ringers is a candidate for the ballot of Division III athletes.
In 1990, Ringers was first team All-America and finished his collegiate career with a school record 54 sacks and 92 tackles for losses. In 1990, Ohio Wesleyan’s run defense allowed just 18 yards per game, best in the country.
Frank Solich and Mark Dantonio are two of nine coaches up for awards. Solich, who previously coached at Nebraska, is the all-time Mid-American Conference wins leader after amassing 115 victories during his tenure at Ohio University (2005-2020).
Solich took the Nebraska Cornhuskers to that year’s BCS championship game.
Dantonio was put forth due to his outstanding coaching record at both Michigan State and Cincinnati. He had previously helped lead Ohio State to a national title in 2002 as defensive coordinator for Jim Tressel’s undefeated Buckeyes team in his hometown of Zanesville.
