James Laurinaitis is a playmaker

By Charles Farmer
Contributing Columnist
Union County Post

In big time college football, coaches always forewarn their reserves to be ready mentally to play because they could be one injury away from being on the field.
Some players, particularly freshme,n might even shrug it off because they find themselves saddled behind two stud performers and the first year is normally used for them to observe and learn.
When a player is number two on the depth chart at one of the team’s most important positions, it would be in his best interest to heed the coach’s warning.
That warning became reality for Ohio State true freshman linebacker James Laurinaitis who was called upon when senior co-captain Bobby Carpenter suffered an injury against Michigan last year.
It would take a very special player to step up and contribute in the rivalry many consider to be the greatest in sports, but a true freshman?
Laurinaitis rose to the occasion, and while he recorded only one tackle, was instrumental in allowing the Buckeyes to follow their game plan and secure a win that day.
“ I was dealing with mixed emotions, because I was excited and surprised to be thrown into the game, but I was also devastated when Bobby came out and it was during Ohio State versus Michigan,” Laurinaitis said.
While the “Big Three” at linebacker, AJ Hawk, Anthony Schlegel and Carpenter have graduated and now earn their living in the National Football League, Laurinaitis has continued to make plays and after five games is the team’s leading tackler.
Of course he will not forget the trio that preceded him at the position because of the legacy that they left behind.
“ All three guys work ethic was great; they would go to the gym at 6 a.m. and also lift after practice. They were so dedicated and I learned how to handle stuff off the field and how to prepare for a game from them,” added Laurinaitis.
He played in all 12 games as a freshman and is the first scholarship player from the state of Minnesota to play football for the Buckeyes since legend Sid Gillman.
This season, the Ohio State defensive unit, which lost nine starters, was in desperate need of a playmaker, someone who could step into a role and make a hit, a tackle, an interception, or a play that his fellow defenders could follow.
Enter James Laurinaitis.
Perhaps the most impressive attribute the sophomore has displayed this season has been consistency. Although he’s still learning, Laurinaitis has become the one player that is certain to make a difference in the game every time he takes the field.
Laurinaitis often refers to his playmaking ability as simply good fortune, but the statistics paint a different picture. The numbers show his ability to make big plays when needed and most importantly he has become a catalyst in assisting the defensive unit as a whole to improve each week.
The following is his resume for the first five games:
Northern Illinois – 4 tackles
Texas – 13 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble
Cincinnati – nine tackles, one interception and one sack
Penn State – ten tackles and one interception
Iowa – five tackles, one interception and one sack
For those who can be mathematically challenged like myself at times, that adds up to a total of 41 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles and five interceptions.
“ I’ve been fortunate to have the ball bounce my way. You have to realize as a player that it’s just not you; it’s the team doing things that allow you to make those plays. Without the defense line we couldn’t make plays,” explained Laurinaitis.
Being a leader is not new to the sophomore, who experienced the role in his prep days.
“ Ever since high school I’ve taken the responsibility of being a leader and pulling the guys together. You have be a leader not by what you say but through your actions on the field. Being able to make some plays has helped a little bit, but we have so many different leaders on this team,” he said.
Perhaps his ability to perform should be expected because he comes from a great athletic family and is constantly asked if he’ll follow in the footsteps of his famous father, “The Animal” of the legendary Road Warriors and turn to professional wrestling some day?
“ My uncle is involved with the Wrestling Federation, but I’m looking at that as a last resort. Right now, I’m trying to focus on football and getting better by doing the little things,” he said.
One thing is certain... Jim Tressel is excited about having Laurinaitis in his corner.