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Big Ten Football: Ranking the 30 best players of all time

By Quinn Douglas

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after their 27-21 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 02: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate after their 27-21 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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5 Oct 1996: Offensive tackle Orlando Pace of the Ohio State Buckeyes provides protection during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lyons at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won the game 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
5 Oct 1996: Offensive tackle Orlando Pace of the Ohio State Buckeyes provides protection during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lyons at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won the game 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /

Orlando Pace Career Statistics, 1994-1996

  • Games Played: 38
  • Notables: Fourth place in 1996 Heisman Trophy, 1995 & 1996 Lombardi Award, 1995 & 1996 Unanimous First Team All-American, 1996 Outland Trophy, 1996 UPI Lineman of the Year, 1996 Chicago Tribune Silver Football winner.

Coming in as the highest rated lineman on the list, Orlando Pace was one of the most dominant offensive lineman to ever set foot on the college field. Pace started every game in his three years at Ohio State and was essentially a human brick wall from day one. Pace is credited with helping popularizing the “pancake block” while in Columbus as he would but defenders on their backs play after play.

Related Story: Ohio State's top 10 recruiting targets in 2019 class

Pace arrived at Ohio State in the fall of 1994 from in-state Sandusky. He became only the second true freshman ever to start on opening day for the Buckeyes. He helped pave the way for Eddie George to claim the Heisman Trophy in 1995 and found himself in the race in 1996, finishing fourth in voting. He is also a two-time winner of the Lombardi Award and a two-time unanimous First Team All-American. Pace was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the 1997 NFL Draft.

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