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. 58 Steve Tovar
One of the best linebackers in Ohio State football history is our choice for the best Buckeye ever to wear No. 58 as we continue our countdown to kickoff.
LB Steve Tovar
1989-92
b. April 25, 1970 (Elyria, Ohio)
- Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (1992)
- First Team All-American (1991, 1992)
- First Team All-Big Ten (1990, 1991,1992)
- Team Captain (1992)
- Fourth All-Time Leading Tackler in School History (408)
Steve Tovar was a three-year starter at Ohio State, earning All-Big Ten honors in each of those seasons from 1990-1992. He also led the Buckeyes in tackles each of those seasons, collecting 128 in his senior season.
For his performance in 1992, he was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, the first Buckeye to win the award since it started in 1990. His 408 career total tackles ranks fourth in school history behind only Marcus Marek (572), Tom Cousineau (569) and Chris Spielman (546).
Tovar went on to be a third-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Bengals, where he played the first five seasons of his professional career. He would play in the NFL until 2000, before becoming a college football coach. He spent two seasons coaching at Army and time in the NFL, coaching linebackers for the Miami Dolphins under Nick Saban.
Photo: Ohio State Dept. of Athletics
