Troy Smith, Ohio State's most recent Heisman Trophy winner, will have his No. 10 enshrined at Ohio Stadium during halftime of the Buckeyes' game with Michigan next week.
He'll be the eighth former Buckeye to be so honored in Ohio Stadium after the previous five Heisman Trophy winners – Les Horvath, Vic Janowicz, Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, Archie Griffin and Eddie George – and Chic Harley, the school's first thre-time All-American, and Bill Willis, an All-American and member of four Halls of Fame who was one of four African-Americans to reintegrate the pro football.
"Being recognized like this from such a prestigious university like The Ohio State University usually doesn't happen until later years down the line," Smith said, "so this is a special time in my life and an important time.
"I never once in my first few years at Ohio State imagined something like this, but as the potential for this to happen came closer and closer, the thought of it happening became bone chilling. Only a very small percentage of people are up there [in lights in Ohio Stadium]. This honor means everything in the world to me and I can't tell you how much I bleed Scarlet and Gray."
Among Smith's many accomplishments at Ohio State was going 3–0 against the Michigan Wolverines, often saving his best games for that final Saturday in November. In each game he topped 300 yards of total offense and he accounted for nine touchdowns and 857 yards passing in the three wins.
"It's time to honor one of our all-time greats," Gene Smith, university Vice President and Director of Athletics, said this week. "Troy's playing days are over. His accomplishments and achievements as an Ohio State Buckeye are legendary. And we are so proud to be able to recognize this young man by honoring his name and number in Ohio Stadium."
Smith's No. 10 will be enshrined and on display at Ohio Stadium, but the number will not be retired. Currently, Ohio State has 18 numbers retired.
