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Ohio State is perhaps better known for producing running backs (Archie Griffin, Keith Byars, Eddie George, etc.) than linebackers, but that may be changing.
The St. Louis Rams' three-man linebacker corps of James Laurinaitis, Na'il Diggs and Larry Grant all came from Ohio State. They play as a unit in the regular season for the first time Sunday against Arizona, and if the Cardinals are healthy, then former Buckeyes running back Beanie Wells will be the trio's prime target.
Wells was drafted in the first round in the 2009 draft, one round in front of Laurinaitis. Diggs came aboard as a free agent and Grant joined forces after getting released by the 49ers.
That's not to say that linebackers of note have boycotted the Buckeyes. The Packers' A.J. Hawk and the Patriots' Mike Vrabel are both from Ohio State, and that history was part of what helped Laurinaitis make his college decision.
"All it takes is a couple of guys to be successful and you're like 'Wow, I want to be like that guy,''' Laurinaitis told the Associated Press. "I remember when I was in high school and A.J. Hawk was just a beast. That just kind of gets the ball rolling.''
Wells' playing status remains unclear for this Sunday, but Laurinaitis remembers last year when both were rookies. Wells scored a touchdown in each of two games for Arizona while earning 142 yards.
"Gosh, I remember last year was probably one of the most sore I've been after a game,'' Laurinaitis said. "He's a big guy, and he runs hard. He's explosive.'"
Rams' Ohio State Connection at Linebacker Faces First Test vs. Cardinals
Sep 10, 2010 – 5:06 PM
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