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. 80 Jan White
WR/TE Jan White
1967-1970
b. 1948 (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
- Three-time Big Ten champion (1968, '69, '70)
- National champion (1968)
- All Big-Ten (1970)
- All-American (1970)
Like other tight ends before and after him, Jan White came to Columbus as a wide receiver in 1967. After sitting out a year in accordance with NCAA bylaw, White contributed to the fabled 1968 national title team as a "Super Sophomore."
After the season, coaches asked White to switch to tight end—a move he initially resisted. Woody's offense didn't glorify wide receivers, let alone tight ends. He knew he'd be asked to block.
White decided to do what was best for the team. After catching a single touchdown pass his sophomore year, he caught five as a tight end on a Big Ten championship team. He was one of 11 All-Big Ten players on the team.
The next season was his best, as he became the only consensus All-American tight end in Buckeye history. He finished with 61 catches and eight touchdowns in his career.
The Buffalo Bills selected him with a second-round pick of the 1971 NFL Draft.
Photo: Ohio State University Archives
