Eric Boggs
The legacy of Ohio State Buckeyes continues to resonate across generations, as former standouts are both honored for their past achievements and shaping the future of the game.
Two of the program’s most dominant offensive linemen, Orlando Pace and Paris Johnson Jr., will be inducted into the Ohio High School Athletic Association Circle of Champions as part of the 2026 class. Their inclusion reflects not only their excellence at the high school level in Ohio, but also the lasting impact they made in Columbus and beyond.
Pace’s career remains one of the gold standards for offensive line play in college football history. A two-time unanimous All-American at Ohio State, he collected both the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy while finishing fourth in Heisman Trophy voting in 1996. His dominance carried over to the NFL, where he became the No. 1 overall pick in the 1997 draft and built a Hall of Fame career that included multiple All-Pro selections and a Super Bowl championship. His journey from Sandusky to Canton stands as a blueprint for greatness.
Johnson, a Cincinnati native, represents the next generation of Buckeye excellence in the trenches. After arriving in Columbus as a highly touted recruit, he quickly proved his value by starting in a national championship game as a freshman and eventually developing into a unanimous All-American at left tackle. Now with the Arizona Cardinals, Johnson has already established himself as a cornerstone player, further validating Ohio State’s reputation for producing elite offensive linemen.
While Pace and Johnson are being celebrated for their achievements, another former Buckeye is continuing his football journey on the sidelines. Eddie George has added a familiar name to his coaching staff at Bowling Green State University, bringing in former teammate Lorenzo Styles Sr. as a senior defensive analyst.
Styles’ connection to Ohio State runs deep. A tackling machine in the early 1990s, he led the Buckeyes in tackles in consecutive seasons before going on to a six-year NFL career. He was also part of a Super Bowl-winning team alongside Pace, reinforcing the strong bonds formed in Columbus that continue long after playing days end. His transition into coaching has been equally impactful, with stops ranging from indoor leagues to high school powerhouse Pickerington Central High School, where he helped guide teams to multiple state championships.
The Buckeye influence extends even further through the next generation of the Styles family. Both of his sons carved their own paths at Ohio State, with Lorenzo Styles Jr. emerging as a key contributor in the secondary and Sonny Styles developing into an All-American linebacker and team leader. Their performances, including standout showings at the NFL Scouting Combine, signal that the family’s football story is far from finished.
From Hall of Fame careers to rising NFL stars and coaches shaping young athletes, these stories reflect the enduring standard of excellence tied to Ohio State football. Whether being enshrined among Ohio’s all-time greats or building the next generation of competitors, Buckeyes past and present continue to reinforce a tradition that remains as strong as ever.
