Former Ohio State Linebacker James Laurinaitis Selected to College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026

James Laurinaitis, former Ohio State linebacker and current linebackers coach, has been selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame class of 2026. Laurinaitis becomes the 29th Ohio State player to receive this honor and joins fellow Buckeye linebackers Randy Gradishar, Chris Spielman, and Tom Cousineau in the Hall of Fame. During his college career from 2005 to 2008, Laurinaitis was a three-time first-team All-American and recorded 375 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, nine interceptions, and four forced fumbles. He is the only player to win the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year twice and also won several prestigious awards, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Butkus Award, and Lott IMPACT Trophy.

Laurinaitis played in the NFL for eight seasons, primarily with the St. Louis Rams, before returning to Ohio State as a coach