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
Playing at Butler High School in Vandalia, Ohio, Taylor Decker grew up about an hour away from Ohio State's campus. A four-star recruit and Ohio's ninth-ranked prospect in the 2012 class, Decker coveted an offer from the Buckeyes early in his recruitment, but one never came. As a result, he wound up committing to Notre Dame.
Then Ohio State hired Urban Meyer, who felt the need to keep one of the country's top-ranked offensive linemen in-state. He extended Decker an offer and the rest, as they say, is history.
Decker flipped his commitment from Notre Dame to the Buckeyes weeks before National Signing Day then went on to become a three-year starter and one of Ohio State's most important players.
TOP MOMENTS
Decker is the most decorated Ohio State offensive lineman in recent years. He's started every game for the Buckeyes since his sophomore season — his start in the Fiesta Bowl will be the 42nd of his career — and has been a rock for three-straight years.
As a sophomore, Decker started 14 games at right tackle with four other seniors on the offensive line. His junior season, Decker switched over to left tackle to anchor an inexperienced group up front and led the way earning second-team All-Big Ten honors during Ohio State's national championship season.
This year, as a senior, Decker started all 12 games at left tackle and was named the Big Ten's Offensive Lineman of the Year. He also was named a consensus All-American, earning first-team nods by Walter Camp, Associated Press, Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports.
OVERARCHING CONTRIBUTION TO THE PROGRAM
An unquestioned leader throughout Meyer's tenure to date, Decker was named a captain for his senior season. Decker and linebacker Joshua Perry served as the team's two unofficial spokesmen throughout the season.
Decker helped engrain Meyer's culture into the Buckeyes and helped the team form its identity. His value to the program is measured by much more than any statistical number.
“He’s a leader, a captain, one of the best offensive tackles in America and a guy that I count on quite heavily for leadership," Meyer said of Decker this season. "He’s going to have a long NFL career if he stays healthy because I think he’s that talented. Wonderful guy.”
WHERE HE'S HEADED
Decker has a future ahead of him in football; the Buckeyes' 6-foot-8, 315-pound left tackle is widely projected to be a first-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
He has all of the physical tools required to be a longtime starter at either tackle position in the NFL. Behind him, Decker leaves a legacy as one of the all-time great offensive linemen in program history.
MORE Decker
- Taylor Decker named consensus All-American in 2015.
- With a chance to leave for the NFL after his junior season, Decker explains why he chose to return to Ohio State for one more year.
- Taylor Decker shines in media setting when speaking about his fallen teammate, Kosta Karageorge.
