ohio state football retired numbers represent one of the most exclusive clubs in college sports, and only a handful of Buckeyes have ever earned the honor. Ohio State has retired just eight jersey numbers in its history, a striking contrast to the dozens of All-Americans and Heisman winners the program has produced.
The problem is that most fans hear conflicting claims about which numbers are retired, who wore them, and why so few players qualify. This guide breaks down the complete list, the stories behind each legend, the selection criteria, and the practical details you need to see the tributes yourself.
The Complete List of Retired Jersey Numbers
Ohio State has officially retired eight football jersey numbers, and each one honors a player whose impact went far beyond the stat sheet. The list spans nearly a century of Buckeye history, from the 1930s through the 1990s. Every number hangs in the rafters at Ohio Stadium as a permanent tribute.
Here is the full roster of honorees:
- No. 45 — Archie Griffin, the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in college football history
- No. 27 — Eddie George, the 1995 Heisman winner and a workhorse running back
- No. 40 — Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, the 1955 Heisman winner and a two-way star
- No. 99 — Bill Willis, a dominant two-way lineman and Pro Football Hall of Famer
- No. 31 — Vic Janowicz, the 1950 Heisman winner who starred on both sides of the ball
- No. 11 — Les Horvath, the 1944 Heisman winner
- No. 22 — Chic Harley, the program's first true national star in the 1910s
- No. 47 — John Hicks, the 1973 Outland and Lombardi Award winner
The scarcity is the story. Ohio State claims seven Heisman Trophy winners, yet the retired list rewards a mix of on-field dominance and historical significance. Understanding ohio state football retired numbers means recognizing that the bar is set deliberately high.
How to apply this: Save this list and cross-check it against the jersey numbers you see in the stadium rafters the next time you attend a home game.
Why So Few Numbers Get Retired
Ohio State treats jersey retirement as the program's highest honor, and the athletic department has historically applied a strict standard. A player generally needs a combination of national awards, All-America recognition, and a lasting legacy to be considered. Being a great player is not enough on its own.
The numbers themselves tell the story. Ohio State has produced well over 80 first-team All-Americans, according to the program's own records, but only eight numbers have been retired. That ratio shows how selective the process is, and it explains why ohio state football retired numbers stay so few.
There is also a practical reason for restraint. Football rosters carry more than 100 players, and every retired number removes a jersey from circulation. Programs must balance tradition with the everyday needs of a modern team. That tension shapes how ohio state football retired numbers are managed.
A common scenario involves fans assuming a recent superstar's number is retired when it is merely honored in other ways. The Buckeyes use recognition programs, ring ceremonies, and the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame to celebrate far more players than the retired list allows.
How to apply this: Before assuming a favorite player's number is retired, check the official list rather than relying on social media claims.
The Legends Behind the Numbers
Each retired number carries a story that explains why it will never be worn again. Archie Griffin's No. 45 stands alone because he remains the only player to win the Heisman Trophy twice, in 1974 and 1975. That feat has never been matched, and it anchors the modern era of ohio state football retired numbers.
Eddie George's No. 27 reflects a punishing running style that carried the Buckeyes to a national title in 2002, the season after his playing days ended. His 1995 Heisman season included more than 1,900 rushing yards, a single-season school record that stood for years.
Chic Harley's No. 22 is the oldest on the list and honors the player widely credited with putting Ohio State football on the national map in the 1910s. Bill Willis's No. 99 carries extra weight because he broke barriers as a Black star in the 1940s before a Hall of Fame pro career.
Consider how these stories connect. The retired numbers honor not just statistics but moments that changed the program's trajectory. That context is what makes ohio state football retired numbers worth studying.
How to apply this: Read a short biography of at least one honoree before your next game to appreciate the history behind the jersey.
How the Honor Compares to Other Programs
Ohio State's eight retired numbers sit in a middle range compared with other blue-blood programs. Some schools retire dozens of jerseys, while others honor players through rings and plaques instead. The approach varies widely across college football.
| Program | Approx. retired numbers | Selection emphasis | Action to take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio State | 8 | National awards plus legacy | Check the official list |
| Notre Dame | Dozens of honored jerseys | Broad tradition | Compare criteria online |
| Michigan | A small, select group | Legendary status | Review school records |
| Alabama | Limited retirements | Championship legacy | Verify with the athletic dept. |
| USC | Multiple Heisman honorees | Trophy winners | Cross-check team history |
The table shows that Ohio State's approach leans toward exclusivity. Programs that honor many jerseys often use a separate "honored number" designation, which is different from a full retirement. Knowing the distinction helps you interpret claims about ohio state football retired numbers accurately.
The NCAA itself does not mandate a retirement policy, so each school sets its own rules. That is why comparisons require care, and why ohio state football retired numbers can look unusually sparse next to schools with looser standards.
How to apply this: When comparing programs, confirm whether a school "retires" a number or simply "honors" it, because the two mean different things.
Seeing the Tributes at Ohio Stadium
You can view the retired number tributes in person at Ohio Stadium, where the honorees are commemorated as part of the venue's history. The stadium, nicknamed "The Horseshoe," is one of the largest in college football and draws crowds that regularly exceed 100,000 fans for home games.
Official team resources, including Ohio State Athletics, publish gameday information, stadium policies, and historical features. For planning a visit, the university's main site at Ohio State University provides campus maps and visitor guidance.
A practical tip: arrive early on gameday and walk the concourse to find the historical displays. Many fans rush to their seats and miss the tributes entirely. Stadium tours, when offered, give a quieter way to study the history behind ohio state football retired numbers.
How to apply this: Check the official athletics site for current tour availability and gameday policies before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions About ohio state football retired numbers
Is any Ohio State football number retired for a coach?
No coach has a jersey number retired, because the honor is reserved for players. Legendary coaches like Woody Hayes are memorialized through other tributes, including the field naming and statues. If you are researching ohio state football retired numbers, remember the list applies only to players who wore the jersey.
Can a current player still wear a retired number?
No, retired numbers are permanently removed from circulation, so no current or future player can wear them. In rare cases, a player may request a different number for personal reasons, but the retired ones stay off-limits. This rule is a core part of how ohio state football retired numbers protect tradition.
What is the difference between a retired and an honored number?
A retired number is permanently withdrawn, while an honored number is celebrated but can still be worn. Ohio State uses both concepts, which confuses many fans researching ohio state football retired numbers. Always confirm which designation applies before assuming a jersey is fully retired.
Has Ohio State ever un-retired a number?
There is no record of Ohio State reversing a retirement, and the honor is treated as permanent. Occasionally fans ask whether a number could return if a future legend emerges, but the program has kept its list intact. The stability of ohio state football retired numbers reflects how seriously the school guards its history.
Where can I find an official confirmation of the retired list?
The most reliable source is the official Ohio State Athletics website and printed media guides. Third-party fan sites sometimes list inaccurate numbers, so verify against official publications. Cross-checking ohio state football retired numbers with the athletic department prevents misinformation.
Conclusion
Ohio State's retired numbers form a short, elite list that rewards greatness and history in equal measure.
- Only eight jersey numbers are retired, despite decades of stars.
- Each honoree combines national awards with lasting legacy.
- The honor is permanent and removes the number from circulation.
- Official sources are the safest way to confirm the list.
The key takeaway is that ohio state football retired numbers reflect a deliberate, selective tradition rather than a broad celebration. Your next step is simple: visit the official athletics site, review the current honorees, and plan a stadium visit to see the tributes for yourself.
