We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.
No. 52 Johnathan Hankins
The Buckeyes went undefeated during Urban Meyer's first season in Columbus, and Johnathan Hankins was one big – pun completely intended – reason why.
DT Johnathan Hankins
2010-12
b. March 29, 1992 (Deerborn Heights, Mich.)
- First Team All-American (2012)
- First Team All-Big Ten (2012)
- Undefeated Season (2012)
Hankins, or Big Hank, as he became known, arrived in Columbus weighing in excess of 350 pounds. He was a space-eating defensive tackle who earned regular reps with the first team, but he was not an every down player at that frame.
By his sophomore season, Hankins cut his weight down to 330 pounds, earned a starting spot on the defensive line, and began to dominate with rare quickness at his size. His sophomore season, Hankins registered 67 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss and three sacks, establishing himself as one of the most dominant interior linemen in the country.
Hankins' numbers dipped his junior season – he had only four tackles for a loss and just a single sack – but it was still enough to earn him first-team All-American honors from Scout.com and propel him to a second-round selection in the 2013 NFL Draft.
Hankins has been in the NFL for four seasons now, playing three seasons with the New York Giants and one with the Indianapolis Colts in 2017. He is currently a free agent, but will likely find his way onto the starting lineup wherever he signs.
