In the late 90s, a young man from Canton McKinley High School terrorized opponents as a running back, safety and linebacker, helping lead the Bulldogs to back-to-back Ohio state championships. Mike Doss ran for more than 1,000 yards and made more than 100 tackles his senior season at McKinley before heading southwest to Columbus to play his college football for John Cooper at The Ohio State University.
Doss arrived hopeful of winning a national championship, and he would, but not as expected and not for the coach who recruited him. The Buckeyes were coming off an 11-1 season and a victory in the Sugar Bowl over Texas A&M, giving hope to Ohio State fans that Cooper had turned a corner and good things were on their way.
They weren’t. Yet.
Freshman Year
Doss worked his way into the two-deep quickly, but like most freshmen, he didn’t see much action. That changed over the final two games of the season, when Doss stepped in as a starter against Illinois and Michigan, and never relinquished the position. When he did see the field, Doss contributed, posting 43 tackles (33 solo), including five tackles for loss and two passes defensed.
Unfortunately, the Buckeyes were lousy that year and it was the beginning of the end for Cooper. Ohio State finished just 6-6 that year, with a dreadful 3-5 mark in Big Ten play. The Buckeyes had gone from 11-1 to an eighth-place finish in the B1G.
Sophomore Year
Right from the start of his second season, Doss was a star. A sure tackler and a hard hitter, the Canton native led the Buckeyes with 94 tackles and recorded 13 tackles for loss, with three interceptions and three fumble recoveries. He scored on two of his three fumble recoveries, including a 73-yard return for a touchdown.
He scored the team’s first touchdown of the season by recovering a ball in the end zone against Fresno State in a 43-10 victory. The 73-yarder came in a 27-13 win over Michigan State. By the end of the season, Doss had made The Sporting News All-America team.
The Buckeyes were better, but not good enough by Ohio State standards. Ohio State went 8-4 (5-3) and lost its last two games—at home against Michigan and in the Outback Bowl against South Carolina. Cooper was out as Ohio State’s coach and Doss would have to adjust to new head coach Jim Tressel.
Junior Year
Ohio State didn’t get notably better in Tressel’s first season, going 7-5 (5-3), again falling to South Carolina in the Outback Bowl. But the Buckeyes were different. For starters, they beat Michigan 26-20 on the road, after years of futility in the world’s greatest rivalry under Cooper.
Doss continued to make plays on defense. He led the team with 87 tackles (57 solo) and 10 TFLs. He chipped in three sacks, three interceptions and four fumble recoveries—scoring his third career fumble recovery touchdown with a 30-yarder against Northwestern. He also blocked punts in consecutive weeks against UCLA and Indiana. Again he made The Sporting News All-America Team.
Buckeye fans were already in love with Doss for his hustle, hitting and penchant for big plays, but he truly became a legend when he bypassed the NFL to return to Columbus for his senior season. He made his announcement on Jan. 9, 2002, saying,
"After the Michigan game, I thought, that's it, my career is over here," he said. "But it turned out to be a much more difficult decision.
"I took a lot of time to think about my career and to think about myself as a man. I thought very hard and I had only one confidant that I knew would be there to listen, and that is the lord Jesus Christ. I sat there contemplating both sides - one way and the other way. And the lord Jesus gave me the answer.
"I talked to my mother about an hour ago and I asked her what she would like her son to do? I love my mother to death and I have always wanted to be able to buy her a nice house to live in. She told me, living in a two-bedroom apartment with nothing to survive on but her son, to get my education - and I will be returning to Ohio State.
Senior Year
Doss was rewarded for his decision. As a team captain, he helped lead the Buckeyes to a perfect 14-0 season and a national championship after a win over heavily favored Miami in the Fiesta Bowl—a game for which he was named the defensive MVP.
He finished with a career-high 107 tackles, finishing behind only Matt Wilhelm’s 121. Doss recorded five tackles for loss, two interceptions and a fumble recovery en route to the national title. He scored another defensive touchdown, too, but this time on an interception return—a 45-yarder in a 51-17 drubbing of Kent State. He capped his career in style, with a nine-tackle performance against the Hurricanes, adding a half TFL and an interception.
For his final season, Doss made not only the TSN All-America team, but also collected Associated Press, Football Writers and Football Coaches accolades as well. Doss wore his Buckeye helmet once more, in the East-West Shrine Bowl all-star game.
Legacy
A four-year letter winner, Doss left Ohio State as a three-time All-B1G and All-American selection. He helped his team win a national championship and went 2-2 in The Game, earning two pairs of gold pants. He played in 50 games over his career, starting 40, finishing with 331 tackles, 33 TFLs, eight interceptions, eight fumble recoveries and four touchdowns.
Doss is still 11th on Ohio State’s career tackles list, is fifth in solo stops, with 228, and sits 14th in tackles for loss. While at Ohio State, Doss earned his degree in communications. The three-year starter was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.
The League
Doss was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He enjoyed a six-year pro career, starting 15 games as a rookie and 43 career games, playing in 57 total contests overall. He was part of the 2006 Super Bowl Champion Colts team.
His best season was his rookie year of 2003, when he finished with a career high 102 tackles, along with three pass breakups, an interception and three forced fumbles. Unfortunately, as happens with so many players, injuries kept him off the field and shortened his career. Doss spent four seasons with the Colts, one with the Vikings and part of another with Cincinnati.
He finished his career with 261 tackles, 10 pass breakups, seven interceptions and six forced fumbles.
In true Buckeye fashion, Doss is a guy who pays it forward. In 2010, Doss won the Canton Jaycees Distinguished Service Award. His foundation helps with education, relief of the underprivileged and underserved youths. He also started the Back to School Block Party for Canton City Schools students.
Ohio State fans will remember him for staying and helping the Buckeyes win a national championship since 1968.
