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. 48 Vince Skillings
Our pick for the best player in Ohio State history to wear No. 48 is three-time first team All-Big Ten selection, Vince Skillings.
DB Vince Skillings
1977-80
b. May 3, 1959 (Brenizer, PA)
- First Team All-Big Ten (1978-80)
- Big Ten Champion (1979)
Skillings played his first two years under Woody Hayes, starting the 1978 season, which ended up being Hayes' last. During that season, he was named a first team All-Big Ten selection as Ohio State's starting safety. His sophomore season saw him collect six interceptions, including one that was returned to a touchdown in a 49-14 win over Wisconsin.
In 1979, Skillings helped lead an Ohio State defense that allowed just 10.5 points per game and rattled off an undefeated regular season to take home the Big Ten title. The Buckeyes however, fell 17-16 to USC in the Rose Bowl, ultimately costing them a national title. For his efforts that season, Skillings, who collected three interceptions, was once again named a first team All-Big Ten selection.
Skillings' senior season saw the Buckeyes finish 9-3 and second in the Big Ten following back-to-back losses to Michigan and Penn State to end the season. Skillings earned his final first team All-Big Ten honor with four interceptions in 1980, giving him 13 for his career, which ranks eighth in school history.
He went on to be drafted in the sixth round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, but finished his playing career in the CFL.
