James Laurinaitis
From NCAA College Football Information & Resource
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James Laurinaitis (born December 3, 1986) plays linebacker for the Ohio State University Buckeyes in the NCAA's college football tournament. James is considered as one of the best in his position, having won the Nagurski Trophy, was named a finalist for the 2006 Butkus Award for top college linebacker, and was named NCAA All American all in just his sophomore year. During his true freshman year, James played behind senior Bobby Carpenter on the strong side and was given some playing time when Carpenter sustained an injury. He was the projected starter for that position heading to the preseason camp of his sophomore year but has since took over the middle linebacker position. The move paid off as not only did James become one of the top LBs in the nation, he also led the Buckeyes transformation as one of the best defensive teams in the country. According to the nfl draft scout website, James is "a beast to be reckoned with who is not only able to shoot the gap and stuff the run, but can also fall back into coverage while still eyeing the quarterback." James continues to improve on his strength and is well on his way to becoming "the" best defensive player in the country.
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Personal Life
James is the son of Joseph and Julie Laurinaitis. His father, Joseph (or Joe) is an american professional wrestler who is better known in the wrestling world as "Animal," one half of the famous wrestling tag team known as The Road Warriors (aka The Legion of Doom). Aside from his father, his uncles John and Marcus are also involved in wrestling with the former being WWE's Senior Vice President, Talent Relations while the latter was known as one half of the tag team "The Wrecking Crew". James older brother Joey is in the Army while his younger sister Jessica is a hockey player. When not on the football field, James usually spends his time reading mostly biographies and autobiographies of football players.
High School
James was a two-sport athlete in high school as he played both football and hockey at Wayzata High School. As good as he was in hockey (was appointed as the team captain as a senior), no team bothered picking him for the NHL despite being touted as a 2-3 round pick as his chosen sport would be football. In his junior year, James registered 160 tackles but improved his numbers by his senior year with 193 tackles, including 28 for loss and five sacks. He was also key in leading Wayzata to the Minnesota 5A state championship game and was adjudged as Minnesota's Defensive Mr. Football in 2004.
College
James signed with the Ohio State Buckeyes, making him the first scholarship player from the state of Minnesota to play for OSU since legendary NFL coach Sid Gillman (1930-33, captain in 1933).
2005
James lettered in 2005 as a true freshman. He played in all of Ohio State's 12 games, eventually landing at the #2 spot in the depth chart behind senior Bobby Carpenter on the strong side. Statistic-wise, James was at his best when he played in his home state of Minnesota, registering two tackles but many believed his best game happened in the rivalry game against Michigan. James played almost the entire game against the Wolverines after Carpenter sustained a broken ankle on the first play of that contest. His lone tackle during that game came in the final play, helping the Buckeyes preserve a 25-21 win at Ann Arbor. James, who also made his first bowl game start against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, recorded nine total tackles in his true freshman year.
2006
By his sophomore year, James became Ohio State's starter at middle linebacker. He played in all 13 games and anchored the Buckeye defense with 115 tackles (including 53 solo stops). He finished the regular season with 8.5 tackles for losses of 44 yards, including four sacks totaling 40 yards. He also forced three fumbles, two against Texas (one of which came on the goal line) and one against Northwestern. He also led the Buckeyes in pick-offs with five, on a total interception return of 56 yards. Four of his interceptions came in consecutive games, starting with his first career interception (returned 25 yards) against Texas, followed by a two-yard interception return against Cincinnati, then a 13-yard pick-off return against Penn State, and finally another INT in the final quarter of the game against 13th ranked Iowa. James earned a Big Ten defensive player of the week citation after recording a team-best 13 tackles against Texas, in addition to five other team weekly defensive honors received in five other occassions. Aside from the Texas game, James also led Ohio State in tackles in games against Cincinnati (nine), Penn State (10), Michigan State (nine), Minnesota (11), Illinois (11) and Michigan (nine). He concluded the season bagging the 2006 Nagurski Award as the nation's best defensive player and was named All-America by Walter Camp and the Football Writers Association of America. He also earned first-team All-Big Ten and was a finalist for the Butkus and Bednarik awards as a true sophomore.
2007
James earned the third weekly award of his career and the second of the season after bagging the Big Ten Week 10 Co-Defensive Player of the Week with his performance against Wisconsin. Against the Badgers, James was a ferocious defender, registering a career-best 19 tackles, a fumble recovery, two tackles for loss, and a seven-yard sack.
Achievements
- 2006 Nagurski Award
- 2006 Butkus Award Finalist
- 2006 Bednarik award Finalist
- 2006 First-team All-Big Ten
- 2006 Walter Camp All-America
- 2006 Football Writers Association of America All-America
- 2006 One-time Big Ten defensive player of the week
References
- James Laurinaitis Ohio State Profile
- James Laurinaitis Wikipedia
- James Laurinaitis NFL Draft Scout Profile
