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. 4 Santonio Holmes
A three-star prospect and three-sport athlete from Glades Central High School in Belle Glade, Florida, Santonio Holmes arrived at Ohio State after leading the Raiders to a pair of state titles in football and track and a state runner-up finish in basketball.
WR Santonio Holmes
2002-05
b. March 3, 1984 (Belle Glade, FL)
- National Champion (2002)
- Big Ten Champion (2002, 2005)
Holmes was redshirted during his freshman season, during which the Buckeyes won the Big Ten title and knocked off Miami in the BCS National Championship. He became a focal part of the offense during his redshirt sophomore season and then led the program to another Big Ten title and a win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl as a redshirt junior.
Holmes caught 140 passes for 2,295 yards and 25 touchdowns in Columbus. He ranks fourth in school history in career receiving touchdowns and sixth career receptions and career receiving yards.
Holmes was selected by Pittsburgh with the 25th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He was named the most valuable player of Super Bowl XLIII after he hauled in nine passes for 131 yards and the game-winning touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger to give the Steelers a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals.
Holmes, who was just the sixth wide receiver to win the award, also played for the New York Jets (2010-13) and Chicago Bears (2014). He retired last October after three seasons out of the league, and finished his career with 6,030 receiving yards and 36 touchdowns.
Photo: Ohio State Dept. of Athletics
