The Ohio State Buckeyes received a visit from one of their all-time greats during practice on Tuesday.
With Ted Ginn Jr., a former 14-year NFL veteran, participating in practice on Tuesday, it’s an opportunity to look back at how dangerous he was for the Buckeyes.
Ginn made a splash as a freshman in 2004, catching 25 passes for 359 yards and two touchdowns. While his catching stats may not have been astronomical, they were solid for a true freshman. What really caught the attention of Ohio State fans was Ginn’s electrifying return ability and speed. That year, he returned 15 punts for 384 yards and four touchdowns.
We see this all-timer @TedGinnJr_19 visited @OhioStateFB Training yesterday 🤩
This got us thinking about some of his many explosive pieces.#B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/EHOuseH8x8
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) 14 August 2024
Four punt return touchdowns in a career is outstanding—in a season, it’s almost unbelievable.
In his sophomore season, Ginn caught 51 passes for 803 yards and four touchdowns. As a returner, he made 25 punt returns for 250 yards and one touchdown and 18 kick returns for 532 yards and one touchdown.
Ginn’s junior season was his last with the Buckeyes. His connection with Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith was lethal in 2006. He had 59 pass catches for 781 yards and nine touchdowns. As a returner, his 24 punt returns earned him 266 yards and a touchdown. His 18 kick returns also earned him 440 yards and a touchdown.
When college football fans think back to the electrifying players of 2004-2006, Reggie Bush, Vince Young and Ted Ginn Jr. often come to mind. All three players have incredible highlight reels and made great plays every time they were on our television screens.
Since Ginn was at Ohio State’s practice on Tuesday, hopefully he was able to share some of his secrets on how to be a top-notch returner. While he might not be able to teach the wide receivers how to be fast in a day, he might have included some route tricks on how to get away down the field.
I am pleased to have the former All-American and NFL veteran @TedGinnJr_19 back on campus yesterday ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/794WUqvx9l
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) 14 August 2024
Wide receiver coach Brian Hartline was on the Ohio State team with Ginn in 2006, catching 17 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns that year. Hartline was then drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2009, which was Ginn’s final season in Miami before heading to San Francisco.
Hartline had the chance to learn from Ginn then, and now his elite group had the same opportunity.
