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. 24 Shawn Springs
The son of former Ohio State and Dallas Cowboys running back Ron Springs, Shawn Springs was seemingly destined to be a Buckeye from birth — despite the fact that he largely grew up in Silver Springs, Maryland, where he was an all-state selection at Springbrook High School as a senior.
CB Shawn Springs
1994-96
b. March 11, 1975 (Williamsburg, VA)
- Consensus All-American (1996)
- Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (1996)
- First-Team All-Big Ten (1995-96)
Springs was named a consensus All-American, the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year and all-conference selection following his junior year in 1996, despite the fact that he did not record a single interception that season. Opposing teams rarely tested him, so he finished the year with 39 tackles and a team-high 15 pass break ups instead.
Following a win over Arizona State in the Rose Bowl, Springs opted to forgo his final year of eligibility. He was selected with the third overall pick in the 1997 NFL Draft by Seattle — which remains to this day the highest a cornerback has ever been picked.
Springs played 13 seasons in the NFL with Seattle, the Washington Redskins and New England Patriots. He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection who finished his career with 714 tackles, 84 pass break ups, 33 interceptions, 8.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Springs — who was also named a member of the Seahawks’ 35th Anniversary Team — retired in 2009 after he sustained a career-ending knee injury. He currently works as a sports reporter for Comcast SportsNet and NBC Sports in Washington D.C. and serves as the CEO of Windpact, a company that develops safety technology for sports, military and recreation helmets.
Photo: Ohio State Dept. of Athletics
