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. 91 Jim Cope
It takes a special player to start for three years and win three-straight Big Ten titles, but that's exactly what Jim Cope did.
DE Jim Cope
1972-1974
b. June 23, 1953 (Oil City P.A.)
- Three-year starter
- Big Ten Champion (1972, '73, '74)
- Rose Bowl Champion (1973)
Cope started for three seasons on the Ohio State defensive line, helping lead the Buckeyes to a share of three-consecutive Big Ten championships and a 1974 Rose Bowl victory.
Though he played opposite of All-American defensive end Van Ness DeCree throughout his career, it was Cope who led the team in tackles for a loss during the 1973 and '74 seasons, recording eight each year.
Perhaps Cope's most important accomplishment was his unblemished record against Michigan. During his time at Ohio State, the Buckeyes beat the Wolverines two times and tied once. Each time, Bo Schembechler's squad was ranked in the top four.
Following his college career, he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round of the 1975 NFL Draft.
––
Photo: Ohio State University Archives
