It is fitting that the creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, of the comic book hero Superman attended Glenville high school in Cleveland.
Glenville alumni quarterback Troy Smith and wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. provided Ohio State with performances that rivaled the super hero in games against Michigan.
Currently, Ohio State has five players that played for Glenville. Many of those players are unknown to the average Buckeye fan, but should make a big impact on Ohio State’s future.
Wide Receiver Raymond Small (Sophomore)
- The impact Small had the 2006 Ohio State was minimal. As a true freshman, Small caught eight balls for 68 yards and had only one touchdown. However, he could become the Buckeyes’ best player in this year or the next. Ted Ginn Sr., coach of Glenville, has been quoted as saying that Small is the most talented receiver he has coached. Also, former OSU defensive tackle David Patterson has said that Small would be the next great wide receiver at Ohio State. I expect big things from Small in 2007. In the spring game he returned kickoffs and took one 40 yards.
Defensive End Robert Rose (Sophomore)
- Rose like Small didn’t get the opportunity to make a significant difference. Both did manage to see the field as true freshmen. Rose finished with only seven tackles, but over half (3.5) were for sacks. As part of the 2006 class, Rose was considered a five-star recruit and as the best defensive end prospect in the nation, according to rivals.com. Ohio State is losing three starters along the defensive line in DE Jay Richardson (fifth-round pick by Oakland), DT Quinn Pitcock (third-round pick by Indianapolis) and DT David Patterson (signed by Atlanta). Right now, Lawrence Wilson is listed ahead on the depth chart, but Rose should get the opportunity to make more plays this season.
Strong Safety Jamario O’Neal (Junior)
- O’Neal was a big recruit in 2005. Scout.com and Rivals.com considered him the third best cornerback in the nation. Coaches decided against redshirting O’Neal in ’05 and saw the field in limited duty (like Small and Rose last season). O’Neal was moved to safety and started at the strong spot for the second half of the season. Watching him play, you could tell that he wasn’t ready to be a superstar yet as he struggled on his tackling. He definitely has the potential to become one of the better Buckeyes on defense.
Linebacker Curtis Terry (Senior)
- Terry like his fellow Glenville alumni was redshirted. The past three seasons, Terry has been playing on special teams. He started three games and had 17 tackles last year. Right now Terry is the backup OLB behind Larry Grant. Grant hasn’t started yet for the Buckeyes, but is expected to have a breakout season. Look for Terry to become the starter if Grant isn’t an immediate success.
Offensive lineman Bryant Browning (Redshirt Freshman)
- Currently, Browning is listed as the backup to junior Ben Person at right guard. Person, who takes over for T.J. Downing, is an unproven starter. Browning could get the opportunity to play early this season in mop-up duties against Youngstown State and Akron.
Currently in the NFL from Glenville include ex-OSU safety Donte Whitner (Buffalo Bills) and ex-Michigan linebacker Pierre Woods (New England Patriots).
