Top 10 Ohio State Athletes
#7 Vic Janowicz
When: 50s
Sport(s): Football- Halfback
Commonly referred to as a “do-everything” player, Vic Janowicz became the second Buckeye to win the Heisman Trophy, doing so in 1950, after totaling 875 yards and 16 TDs. He later played two seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates before returning to football as a Washington Redskin. Janowicz’s jersey, number 31, was eventually retired for the Buckeyes.
Awards: 1950 Heisman Trophy, 1950 UPI College Player of the Year, 1976 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee
#6 John Havlicek
When: 1959-1962
Sport(s): Basketball- Small Forward
After winning the 1960 NCAA Championship, along with Jerry Lucas, John Havlicek was named to the 1960 US Olympic team. Havlicek was picked 7th overall in the 1962 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics, and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns the same year. Both his college jersey (#5) and his professional jersey (Celtics #17) have been retired.
Awards: 8x NBA Champion, 1974 NBA Finals MVP, 13x NBA All-Star, Boston Celtics all-time leading scorer, 1960 NCAA Champion
#5 Howard “Hopalong” Cassady
When: 50s
Sport(s): Football- Halfback, Defensive Back; Baseball
A two-time All-American in 1954 and 1955, Howard Cassady scored 37 touchdowns in 36 games for Ohio State. The Buckeyes won the National Championship in 1954, with Cassady finishing third in the Heisman voting. Cassady won the 1955 Heisman Trophy, and was picked 3rd overall in the 1956 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. In baseball, Cassady led the team in home-runs in 1955, and stolen bases in 1956.
Awards: 1955 Heisman Trophy, 1955 Maxwell Award, 1979 College Football Hall of Fame inductee
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