Buckeye Talk podcast announces the winner of Ohio State’s ‘Greatest Buckeye’ bracket.
The Buckeye Talk podcast, a staple among Ohio State fans and college football enthusiasts, has been engaging its listeners with debates, insights, and interviews that celebrate the storied tradition of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Over the course of several weeks, the podcast embarked on an ambitious project to determine the single greatest Buckeye of all time through a bracket-style competition. This wasn’t a decision made lightly. Thousands of fans participated, engaging in heated discussions, spirited arguments, and passionate defenses of their favorite players and personalities who have worn the scarlet and gray. From the gridiron to the hardwood, from Olympic gold medalists to Heisman winners, the bracket featured a spectrum of Buckeye legends, culminating in a dramatic final matchup that sparked conversation across Ohio and beyond. Today, Buckeye Talk finally announced the result that many have been anxiously awaiting: the winner of Ohio State’s “Greatest Buckeye” bracket.
From the very beginning, the competition was bound to be intense. Ohio State’s legacy in college sports is vast and deeply rooted in excellence. The selection committee, composed of the podcast’s hosts along with input from beat writers and historians, curated a list of 64 names. Each name represented not just statistical greatness but also cultural and historical significance. Players who defined eras, changed perceptions, or stood as icons of the Buckeye spirit. The field ranged from old-school legends like Chic Harley, who essentially put Ohio State on the map in the early 20th century, to recent greats like C.J. Stroud and J.T. Barrett. Then there were the titanic names that transcend time: Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in college football history, and Jesse Owens, whose defiance of Hitler’s ideology at the 1936 Berlin Olympics made him a global hero.
As the tournament progressed, some matchups turned into landslides while others required multiple rounds of fan voting to determine a victor. The initial rounds saw tough calls that knocked out fan favorites, leading to long social media threads and emotional commentary. Eddie George, a Heisman winner himself, was upset earlier than expected by Mike Doss, the vocal leader of the 2002 national championship team. Troy Smith, 2006 Heisman recipient, made a strong run but eventually fell short against the juggernaut of historical significance that is Jesse Owens. Meanwhile, players like A.J. Hawk and Chris Spielman, two of the most feared linebackers in Buckeye history, faced off in a grueling round that tested voters’ allegiance to different defensive eras.
Throughout the process, the podcast offered in-depth analysis of each matchup. Hosts Doug Lesmerises, Nathan Baird, and Stephen Means dissected the resumes of each Buckeye, weighing factors like individual performance, team success, awards, cultural impact, and legacy. The commentary enriched the experience for fans, who found themselves immersed not only in the voting process but also in learning more about the broader scope of Ohio State’s athletic history. Listeners heard testimonials from former players, interviews with family members, and reflections from coaches who once mentored the athletes in question. The combination of nostalgia and education elevated the bracket from a simple poll to a meaningful tribute to Buckeye excellence.
As the bracket reached its latter stages, clear contenders emerged. Archie Griffin was a dominant force throughout the competition, consistently earning overwhelming support in each round. His humility, consistency, and the uniqueness of winning two Heismans created a near-mythical aura around his candidacy. On the other side of the bracket, Jesse Owens steadily advanced, propelled by the gravity of his accomplishments not just in sports but in global history. It became increasingly apparent that this was not just a contest between athletes—it was a referendum on what kind of greatness resonates most with the Ohio State community.
The semifinal matchups pitted Archie Griffin against Woody Hayes, the legendary coach whose teams brought five national championships to Columbus. Hayes had strong backing, especially among older voters who remember the days of “three yards and a cloud of dust.” But Archie’s achievements as a player—and the fact that Hayes himself revered him—tilted the balance. Meanwhile, Jesse Owens went head-to-head with Maurice Clarett, whose controversial and brief college career was nonetheless instrumental in securing Ohio State’s 2002 national title. Though Clarett’s impact was undeniable, Owens’ triumphs under the gaze of the Nazi regime, along with his status as a symbol of American excellence and civil rights, proved insurmountable.
This set the stage for a championship bout that transcended athletics: Archie Griffin versus Jesse Owens. The two finalists couldn’t be more different in terms of era, sport, or personality, yet both embody the pinnacle of Buckeye legacy. Archie represented sustained excellence over four years, an unwavering commitment to team, and a grace that extended beyond the field. Jesse represented courage, global impact, and a defiance of tyranny that still echoes in classrooms and museums. Fans wrestled with their votes, knowing they were choosing between two monuments of American and Buckeye greatness.
Buckeye Talk drew out the drama in its final episode leading up to the announcement. The hosts engaged in a heartfelt discussion, each articulating the reasons behind their personal selections. Doug Lesmerises, a longtime Ohio State observer and historian, emphasized the cultural reach of Jesse Owens’ legacy. Stephen Means spoke passionately about the symbolic power of Archie Griffin’s humility and consistency. Nathan Baird underscored the uniqueness of this matchup—how it captured the diversity of what it means to be great.
Finally, the votes were tallied. After hundreds of thousands of votes across all platforms, from Twitter polls to fan-submitted ballots, the Buckeye Talk podcast declared Archie Griffin as the winner of Ohio State’s “Greatest Buckeye” bracket. The announcement was met with widespread applause across the Buckeye Nation. While Jesse Owens had a commanding contingent of supporters, Archie’s combination of athletic success, lasting presence at the university, and embodiment of Buckeye values proved too powerful to overcome.
Reactions poured in from all corners. Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith issued a congratulatory statement applauding both finalists but affirming that Griffin’s record remains untouched in the annals of college football. Former teammates shared stories of Archie’s leadership, citing his work ethic and quiet excellence as the foundation for teams that inspired generations. Fans on social media relived their memories of watching Archie at the Horseshoe, describing the awe of witnessing history with every carry he made. Younger fans, many of whom never saw him play live, acknowledged that his legend had been so well preserved and celebrated that it transcended generational gaps.
Griffin himself appeared on the podcast for a surprise interview, thanking fans for their support and humbly deflecting praise in his trademark style. He spoke about how honored he felt to be even mentioned alongside Jesse Owens, a man he has long admired. Archie credited his teammates, coaches, and the university for everything he accomplished and reiterated that being a Buckeye wasn’t just about winning—it was about representing something bigger than oneself. The moment felt full circle. An icon honored by the people he inspired, yet still as grounded and grateful as ever.
Jesse Owens’ legacy, of course, remains undiminished. Many fans and commentators noted that the final result wasn’t a defeat so much as a recognition of a different kind of greatness. Owens changed the world; Griffin dominated a sport. Each legacy is secure, unique, and profoundly important. Some argued that Owens might have won had the bracket not been tied so closely to sports achievements, while others maintained that Archie’s singular college football record could never be overlooked. In truth, the competition highlighted how varied greatness can be—and how Ohio State’s rich history contains multitudes of such greatness.
The “Greatest Buckeye” bracket is now complete, but its legacy is likely to endure. The conversations it sparked, the memories it reignited, and the sense of community it fostered will live on in classrooms, tailgates, and podcasts for years to come. More than a contest, it became a celebration of what it means to be a Buckeye—a blend of excellence, resilience, humility, and impact that echoes through time. Buckeye Talk has already hinted at future brackets, perhaps focusing on individual sports, coaches, or moments in history. But it will be hard to match the breadth and emotional resonance of this particular endeavor.
As the episode ended and the theme music played one last time, fans reflected not just on who won but on what they had all remembered together. Archie Griffin stood tall as the “Greatest Buckeye,” a symbol of everything Ohio State holds dear. But just as powerful was the sense that all the nominees, from Troy Smith to Jack Nicklaus to Katie Smith, had helped shape a legacy that one name alone could never fully encapsulate. In crowning Archie Griffin, Buckeye Nation didn’t just choose a winner—they celebrated a heritage.
