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. 28 Chris “Beanie” Wells
One of the most heralded recruits to ever land at Ohio State, Chris “Beanie” Wells came to Columbus with the highest of expectations.
RB Chris Wells
2006-08
b. Aug. 7, 1988 (Akron, OH)
- First Team All-Big Ten (2007)
- Team MVP (2007-08)
- Big Ten Champion (2006-08)
Wells played early and often his freshman season in 2006, despite being behind Antonio Pittman on the depth chart. Even though he dealt with ball-security issues, he still rushed for 576 yards and seven touchdowns on 104 carries, none bigger than his 52-yard scamper against Michigan.
Following Pittman's early departure to the NFL, Wells became the featured back in 2007 and put together a season for the ages. He rushed for 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns on 274 carries, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors and being named Ohio State's team MVP. The Buckeyes returned to the national championship game against LSU that season, and despite rushing for 146 yards, Wells and Ohio State came up short of the crown.
Wells' 2008 season was plagued by injury, as he missed three games for a variety of physical setbacks. Without Wells for a September game against USC, Ohio State was blasted 35-3 in the Los Angeles Coliseum, which prompted a change at quarterback, as Terrelle Pryor flanked Wells for the rest of the season. Even though he only played 10 games as a junior, Wells still managed to crack the 1,000-yard barrier, rushing for 1,197 yards and eight touchdowns.
Wells never won a postseason game in his Ohio State career, but did finish a perfect 3-0 against Michigan before declaring for the NFL Draft after his junior season. He was selected with the 31st overall pick in the 2009 draft by the Arizona Cardinals, where he played all four of his NFL seasons before hanging up his cleats in 2012.
His best NFL season came in 2011, when he rushed for 1,047 yards and 10 touchdowns in 14 games.
