Recruiting is said to be the lifeblood of college football. This series will countdown the top 100 high schools in Ohio that have provided the Buckeyes with football players. The rankings are based on how many times a player from each high school has been listed on Ohio State's roster between 1970 and 2018.
No. 57, Kent Roosevelt
Qualification
Six players from Kent Roosevelt have been listed on 15 Ohio State rosters. The first Rough Riders to make an Ohio State roster were halfback Tom Campana, center Tom DeLeone and defensive end Stan White. The trio made quite the impact for the Buckeyes of the early '70s. Campana's first game was against TCU in 1969. He hauled in a 62-yard touchdown pass as Ohio State romped the Horned Frogs 62-0. Entering his senior season in 1971, Campana was expected to be a starter at running back, but only had one catch for 18 yards that season. He finished his Buckeye career with 33 carries for 146 yards and 20 receptions for 307 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Cardinals selected Campana in the 13th round of the 1972 NFL Draft.
Tom Deleone had quite the career at Ohio State. He was a captain of the '71 team and was also named that season's Team MVP. DeLeone was an All-American during his senior campaign and was named to the All-Big Ten team twice. The Cincinnati Bengals selected him in the fifth round of the 1972 NFL Draft and played two season in Cincinnati and 11 for the Browns. In 2002, he was inducted into the Ohio State Football Hall of Fame and into the Kent City Schools Hall of Fame in 2003.
DeLeone was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011 and battled the disease for five years. He passed away on May 22, 2016.
Stan White led the Buckeyes in solo tackles with 67 during the 1970 season. He also had a key interception against Michigan that year. Not only did White knock in opponent's heads, he also knocked the ball through the uprights 39 times as a sophomore. White also played baseball and basketball for the Buckeyes. In 1971, he was named to the All-Big Ten team. White was selected by the Colts in the 17th round of the 1972 NFL draft and became the color analyst for the Baltimore Ravens' radio broadcasts in 2007.
With Campana, DeLeone and White on the team, Ohio State went 23–6 and won a national championship in 1970 and Big Ten titles in 1969 and 1970.
The Kent pipeline continued with center Steve Myers (1972-74). He was captain of the 1974 team and an All-American. The Buckeyes won three Big Ten titles, the 1974 Rose Bowl and went 29–4–1. In 2000, Myers as named to the Ohio State All-Century Team and was inducted into the Varsity O Hall of Fame in 2004.
At Kent, Myers had a 20-yard scoop and score in his first game with the Rough Riders. He was a captain of the football and wrestling teams. The Lions took Myers in the 11th round of the 1975 NFL Draft. After his playing days, Myers and Archie Griffin teamed up to rehab houses in Columbus.
Jim DeLeone (1977-81) and Harold Brown (1978), were the last Kent players to make it on Ohio State rosters. DeLeone followed in the steps of his uncle, Tom, and also played center for the Buckeyes. Jim was a two-year starter for Ohio State and was known for his unusual leg strength. Jim DeLeone played on both the offensive and defensive lines for Kent.
Back To School
Kent Roosevelt is located in Portage County and is a member of the Suburban League. The team currently competes in Division II, Region 5. The Rough Riders went 2–8 in 2018. The last time they made the playoffs was 2013. Kent Roosevelt hosted Bedford in the first round, but lost 21-14.
Notable
The school was originally named Kent High School in 1868. 54 years later, a new building was constructed and the name was switched to Theodore Roosevelt High School in honor of President Roosevelt. In 1972, Kent State High School was closed and those student were transferred to Theodore Roosevelt. Today, the school is commonly called Kent Roosevelt.
Kent Roosevelt has five state championships in four sports. The boys' cross country team leads the way with two (1981, 1980) and the boys hockey team (1982), girls' field hockey (1981) and boys' golf (1944) have one each.
Famous Alumni
Famous names you may know: Devo members Bob Casale, Gerald Casale and Rod Reisman, NFL player, television commentator and WWE Raw general manager, Mike Adamle, NFL players Deral Boykin, Greg Boykin, Joe Dufek, Tony Mandarich, Stan White, Hamilton cast member Seth Stewart, Wold Series of Poker player Joe Ebanks, former Ohio Governor Martin Davey and comedian Chad Zumock.
Explanation of the Rankings
School "A" had 14 players appear 16 times on Ohio State's roster. School "B" had 11 players appear 20 times on Ohio State's roster. School "B" will have the higher ranking. Why? Even though school "B" has less players, those players played for more years.
If two or more schools have the same number of appearances, the tie will be broken by the school with the highest average of roster appearances per player. If there is a tie in the average, the tie breaker will be the school with the most prominent Ohio State player.
| 100 | 99 | 98 | 97 | 96 | 95 | 94 | 93 | 92 | 91 |
| 90 | 89 | 88 | 87 | 86 | 85 | 84 | 83 | 82 | 81 |
| 80 | 79 | 78 | 77 | 76 | 75 | 74 | 73 | 72 | 71 |
| 70 | 69 | 68 | 67 | 66 | 65 | 64 | 63 | 62 | 61 |
| 60 | 59 | 58 | 57 | 56 | 55 | 54 | 53 | 52 | 51 |
| 50 | 49 | 48 | 47 | 46 | 45 | 44 | 43 | 42 | 41 |
| 40 | 39 | 38 | 37 | 36 | 35 | 34 | 33 | 32 | 31 |
| 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 |
| 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 |
| 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
2,778 days since Ohio State has not defeated That Team.
148 days until The Game.
Are you a former player, graduate, live near or have something to add about today's featured high school? Please share your story with us in the comments. What makes the 11W community unique is the amount of great information everybody is willing to share.
