Former LSU Coach Ed Orgeron Expresses Strong Admiration For Standout Ohio State Buckeyes Star From 2024 National Championship Team During Recent Interviews
When Ed Orgeron speaks, the college football world tends to listen. The former LSU Tigers head coach, who led his program to the 2019 national championship with one of the most dominant teams in modern history, remains a larger-than-life figure in the sport. His gravelly Cajun accent, booming voice, and unfiltered honesty make him one of the most recognizable personalities in football. Though no longer pacing the sidelines in Baton Rouge, Orgeron continues to follow the game closely, appearing frequently on radio shows, podcasts, and television interviews. Recently, his comments about one of Ohio State’s key players from their 2024 national championship team sparked attention, as Orgeron lavished praise on the Buckeye star and made clear that he is among the player’s biggest fans.
The admiration Orgeron showed was not casual. He spoke with conviction about the Buckeye’s talent, leadership, and competitive spirit, traits that reminded him of the kinds of players who defined his own LSU championship run. Orgeron has always had a keen eye for evaluating talent, particularly in the trenches and among skill position players, and his words carry weight because he has worked with some of the best athletes the college game has ever seen. To hear him single out an Ohio State player as one of his favorites was not only a compliment to the individual but also a recognition of the program’s continued ability to produce elite football talent on the biggest stage.
Ohio State’s 2024 national championship run captivated the college football world, silencing doubters who wondered if the Buckeyes could once again rise above their fiercest competition. The team played with toughness, precision, and resilience, culminating in a season that reminded fans of the program’s long history of dominance. Among the roster, certain players stood out as game-changers, elevating their play in critical moments. It was one of these players who drew Orgeron’s attention, and the coach did not hesitate to express his admiration, pointing out how the Buckeye embodied the qualities of a true champion.
Orgeron’s comments carried a mix of admiration and analysis. He spoke about the player’s physical abilities—speed, strength, and instincts—but also emphasized intangible qualities such as leadership and discipline. “You can see it in the way he carries himself,” Orgeron said during one interview. “He’s a guy that makes everyone around him better. You don’t win a national championship without players like that.” Coming from a coach who knows what it takes to win at the highest level, the praise resonated. Buckeye fans, always eager to hear validation from respected figures in the sport, celebrated Orgeron’s recognition as another reminder of the program’s stature on the national stage.
For Ohio State, having a figure like Orgeron highlight one of their players underscores the respect the program commands across college football. Rivalries run deep, and fans of other schools may not always want to acknowledge the Buckeyes’ greatness, but when a coach with Orgeron’s credentials speaks, his words cut through regional loyalties. He has nothing to gain by praising a Buckeye, which makes the compliment feel even more genuine. In doing so, he indirectly validated the work of Ohio State’s coaching staff, their recruiting efforts, and their ability to develop players who thrive under the brightest lights.
The player at the center of Orgeron’s admiration has become a symbol of Ohio State’s 2024 championship team. His performances throughout the season cemented his reputation as one of the nation’s best, and his ability to rise in key moments defined the Buckeyes’ playoff run. Fans recall the explosive plays, the clutch decisions, and the emotional fire that carried teammates along with him. Those moments were not lost on Orgeron, who described them in detail, praising the way the player’s presence shifted the momentum of games. In Orgeron’s words, it was not just about talent but about competitive fire—the “it factor” that separates great players from legends.
This was not the first time Orgeron had spoken positively about players outside of his own program. Even during his coaching career, he was known for his willingness to recognize greatness wherever he saw it. But the timing of his remarks about the Buckeyes’ star was significant, coming in the months after Ohio State’s championship triumph and at a moment when the program is preparing for its next chapter. His words served as a bridge between the 2019 LSU Tigers, often considered one of the greatest teams of all time, and the 2024 Ohio State Buckeyes, who made their own case for belonging in the conversation of truly historic champions.
The connection between Orgeron and Ohio State may also run deeper than one player. During his coaching career, he crossed paths with numerous Buckeyes on the recruiting trail and in NFL evaluations. He has long respected the toughness and discipline that Ohio State players bring to the field, qualities he often sought in his own recruits. In many ways, Orgeron’s praise reflects not only his admiration for the individual player but also for the culture that Ohio State has built—a culture that consistently develops leaders and competitors who thrive under pressure.
For the player himself, hearing Orgeron’s comments must have been both flattering and affirming. To be recognized by a coach who has hoisted the national championship trophy and developed countless NFL stars is no small thing. It validates the years of work that went into preparing for moments on the championship stage, and it adds another layer to his legacy as a Buckeye. Fans have already etched his name into the annals of program history, but hearing Orgeron’s voice among the chorus of admirers elevates that status even further.
The reaction from Buckeye Nation was immediate. Social media platforms lit up with clips of Orgeron’s comments, fans sharing them with pride and excitement. Many remarked that if even a coach like Orgeron was calling attention to their star, it only underscored how special the player was. Some even drew comparisons between Ohio State’s championship roster and Orgeron’s LSU squad, debating which team had the edge in talent or dominance. The parallels made for spirited discussions, but what was clear was that Orgeron’s words had added fuel to the sense of pride Buckeye fans already felt about their championship heroes.
Beyond the fandom, Orgeron’s comments also contributed to the broader narrative of college football. His recognition of the Ohio State star reinforced the notion that great players transcend rivalries and conference lines. In a sport often defined by tribal loyalties, it is easy to overlook excellence when it comes from an opponent. Yet Orgeron, now free from the pressures of competing against Ohio State directly, spoke with the kind of honesty that fans appreciate. His willingness to praise a Buckeye reflected a larger truth: that the greatness of college football is built not only on rivalries but on the shared recognition of extraordinary talent.
It is also worth noting that Orgeron has a knack for connecting with players. His larger-than-life persona, his passion for the game, and his authenticity resonate deeply with athletes. When he praises someone, it often comes from a place of genuine respect rather than empty flattery. Players sense that, and fans do too. That authenticity makes his admiration for the Buckeye star all the more impactful, transforming what could have been a throwaway comment into a moment that carried weight across the sport.
Looking ahead, Orgeron’s comments may even influence how the player is viewed in professional circles. While NFL scouts and executives rely heavily on film and data, endorsements from respected coaches always find their way into conversations. Orgeron’s voice, with its credibility and history of producing NFL talent, could only enhance the player’s reputation as he prepares for the next stage of his career. In this way, the admiration is not just a compliment—it could be a subtle boost to the player’s long-term prospects.
At its heart, the story of Ed Orgeron praising an Ohio State star is about more than one coach and one player. It is about the enduring connections that bind college football together. It is about the way excellence commands respect, no matter where it comes from. And it is about how the legacies of different championship teams can intersect in moments of recognition, drawing lines between the greatness of the past and the greatness of the present. For Buckeye fans, it is yet another reminder that their 2024 championship team belongs in the upper echelon of college football history. For Orgeron, it is an opportunity to celebrate the game he loves, even from outside the sidelines.
As the echoes of the 2024 season continue to resonate, Orgeron’s words will be remembered not just as casual praise but as a mark of respect from one champion to another. In a sport built on rivalries, tradition, and passion, those moments of acknowledgment carry a special weight. They remind us that while teams and fan bases may be divided by colors and allegiances, greatness is universal—and when a coach like Ed Orgeron sees it, he is never afraid to say so.
