Ohio State quarterback history: What to know about Buckeyes QBs

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett enters his senior season with many school records on his resume and a number of others within reach.

Barrett has his critics — and they’re especially vocal because the Buckeyes lost the last game they played 31-0 to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl — but he’ll go down as one of Ohio State’s all-time great quarterbacks. Here’s a quick look at Ohio State’s history at that position:

» DATABASE: Explore all Ohio State quarterbacks and their records since 1960

1. TOP SPOT

Credit: handout

Credit: handout

Art Schlichter started for four seasons and threw for 7,547 yards between 1978-81. He remains Ohio State’s all-time leader in passing yards, just ahead of Bobby Hoying (7,232, 1992-95) and Barrett (6,381).

Schlichter has become more well known since the end of his playing days for his legal troubles. A judge sentenced him to almost 11 years in prison in 2012 for scamming fans in a sports-ticket scheme. He’s currently incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Williamsburg, S.C. His earliest release date is Oct. 4, 2020.

» MORE BUCKEYES HISTORY: Ohio State's bowl history: Remembering the Buckeyes' performances

2. BEST EVER

Credit: Ron Alvey

Troy Smith has a solid argument for being the best quarterback in school history. He’s one of two Ohio State quarterbacks to win the Heisman Trophy. Smith won in 2006. Les Horvath won in 1944.

Smith owns the best career pass-efficiency rating (157.1) in school history. He threw 54 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

» MORE OHIO STATE HISTORY: 6 things you didn't know about Ohio colleges draft history

3. PRO HISTORY

Credit: Jamie Squire

Ohio State quarterbacks have put up great numbers in college. As a whole, the group has not produced in the NFL.

Smith started 20 games in the NFL and threw eight touchdowns over four seasons. Mike Tomczak, Ohio State’s starter from 1982-84, had the longest NFL career of any Ohio State quarterback. He started 73 games from 1985-99.

Schlichter was the last Ohio State quarterback drafted in the first round. The Raiders took him with the No. 4 pick in 1982. He threw three touchdowns in three seasons and never started a game.

4. GREAT GAMES

Barrett twice has thrown six touchdown passes in a game. That’s the school record. He shares it with a player who threw 16 touchdown passes in his entire career.

Kenny Guiton, filling in for injured starter Braxton Miller, threw six touchdown passes against Florida A&M in 2013. He also threw the longest pass in school history in that game (90 yards to Devin Smith). Guiton is now the wide receivers coach at the University of Houston.

5. DUAL THREAT

Springfield native and Wayne High School grad Braxton Miller remains Ohio State’s all-time leader in rushing yards by a quarterback. He’s sixth overall with 3,314 yards, trailing Archie Griffin, Ezekiel Elliott, Eddie George, Tim Spencer and Chris “Beanie” Wells.

6. RECORD CHASER

Among the many marks Barrett will chase this fall is the record for wins by an Ohio State quarterback. At 26-4, he’s tied with Miller (26-8) for fourth in school history.

Schlichter was 36-11-1 as a starter. Cornelius Greene (31-3-1, 1973-75) and Bobby Hoying (30-6-1, 1993-95) are the only other quarterbacks with 30 or more wins as a starter.

7. PERFECT RECORD

Cardale Jones holds the distinction of being the only Ohio State quarterback to start 10 or more games and not lose a game. He finished his career in 2015 with an 11-0 mark.

Three of those will go down as some of the most important in school history. When Barrett got hurt in the regular-season finale against Michigan in 2014, Jones led the Buckeyes to a Big Ten championship victory against Wisconsin, a Sugar Bowl victory against Alabama and a national championship victory against Oregon.