Ohio State's 2015 senior class has a chance to win its 50th game over a four-year period New Year's Day in the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame. Before kickoff in their final collegiate game, Eleven Warriors will take a brief look back at each player's time in Columbus.
WHERE HE'S FROM
Expectations were high for Tommy Schutt when he signed with Ohio State on Feb. 1, 2012 as a key part of the Buckeyes' fifth-ranked class.
Hailing from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Schutt was a four-star prospect at Glenbard West High School. He was the country's ninth-rated defensive tackle and the No. 80 overall ranked recruit in the 2012 class. Schutt, along with fellow top-100 recruits Noah Spence, Adolphus Washington and Se'Veon Pittman were pegged to be mainstays on the Buckeyes' defensive line for years to come.
Once a Penn State commit, Schutt wound up flipping to the Buckeyes in December of 2011. In addition to the Nittany Lions, Notre Dame was also in the running for Schutt's services.
TOP MOMENTS
After some injuries early in his career slowed Schutt's progress — and playing behind guys like Washington and Michael Bennett — he finally made an impact this season as a senior.
As the starting nose guard for this Ohio State team, Schutt made 25 tackles (five for loss) and had 2.5 sacks. He played against Penn State with a broken wrist and missed the next two games.
Schutt's ability to eat up blockers on the interior of the defensive line allowed the linebackers behind him to make tackles. Raekwon McMillan has 114 on the season and Joshua Perry currently has 98.
OVERARCHING CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROGRAM
Though a career backup prior to this season, Schutt provided the Buckeyes with depth on the defensive line.
He might have played his final game in an Ohio State uniform — head coach Urban Meyer revealed last week Schutt suffered a foot injury and his status for the Fiesta Bowl is up in the air — but if he hasn't, he'll have one final opportunity to suit up for the Scarlet and Gray.
WHERE HE'S HEADED
Schutt isn't likely to play professionally, and many will feel he didn't live up the expectations that came with him when he arrived in Columbus four years ago.
Schutt, though, has that opportunity to be part of a 50-win senior class and was a starter for the majority this year on a — at times — dominant defensive line. He leaves with a national championship ring as well as one Big Ten title.
MORE SChutt
- Tommy Schutt finally gets his turn to start at Ohio State.
- Tommy Schutt eager to return after missing games due to wrist injury.
- Buckeyes play dodgeball, featuring Tommy Schutt.
