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. 7 Chris Gamble
Chris Gamble never left the field during Ohio State's 2002 national championship season.
WR Chris Gamble
2001-2003
b. March 11, 1983 (Boston, Mass.)
- National Champion (2002)
- First Team All-Big Ten (2003)
- Third Team All-American (2003)
Throughout his Buckeye career, he was a lock-down corner, a game-breaking receiver and a dangerous punt and kick returner. He was one of the best and last truly do-it-all players the Buckeyes ever had.
Though originally recruited as a wide receiver, there was a team need at cornerback, so Gamble learned that position too, and it didn't take long for him to shine.
Gamble appeared in 38 games in his three seasons at Ohio State, starting 18 times on defense and 12 times on offense. During the 2002 national championship season, Gamble started on both offense and defense five different times.
That 2002 season, Gamble had 31 catches for 499 yards, 3 rushes for 49 yards and a touchdown, four interceptions and a touchdown on defense, returned 35 punts for 293 yards and 11 kickoffs for 253 yards – a busy, busy season.
His junior season, Gamble became more of a full-time cornerback, catching just four passes that year. He intercepted three passes in 2003 and earned first-time All-Big Ten honors, as well as third-team All-American honors at the cornerback position.
Gamble declared for the NFL Draft following his junior season and was selected in the first round with the 28th overall pick by the Carolina Panthers. Gamble broke the team's rookie record for interceptions with six, and also led the team in interceptions the next two seasons. He was released in 2013, and retired as the Panthers' all-time interceptions leader.
