Top 10 nominees on 2025 College Football Hall of Fame ballot
James Laurinaitas
Laurinaitis had an athletic background coming into his time at Ohio State with his dad Joe being a WWE Hall of Famer and two of his uncles also being professional wrestlers. James often provided the same physicality while on the field in Columbus that led him to become a three-time All-American, including a unanimous selection in 2007. The linebacker was also a Butkus Award winner in 2007 and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in both 2007 and 2008. James was a tremendous hitter with 115 tackles or more in each of his final three collegiate seasons, but he ultimately did a little bit of everything for the Buckeyes with 24 陆 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, nine interceptions and four forced fumbles in his career. His embodiment of both Ohio State and Big Ten football should have him Hall of Fame–bound.
