Eric Boggs
Former Ohio State standout Tim Anderson recently joined The OHIO Podcast to reflect on a topic close to his heart—wrestling—and how it played a pivotal role in his development as both a person and football player. Known for his dominance in the trenches at Ohio State and later in the NFL, Anderson revealed that it was wrestling, not football, that truly forged his toughness and discipline.
Anderson’s journey with wrestling began relatively late. He didn’t step onto a mat until the eighth grade, having previously tried his hand at basketball. But as a growing kid who hadn’t yet found his coordination, he struggled with hoops and found a better fit in the physically demanding and gritty world of wrestling. Despite starting late, he quickly excelled thanks to his raw strength and work ethic, carrying those skills into high school and ultimately into his football career.
Anderson believes the overlap between wrestling and football, particularly in the trenches, is undeniable. The hand-to-hand combat, leverage, balance, footwork, and mental toughness all directly translate to the one-on-one battles of offensive and defensive line play. From the way linemen engage to the angles they take, he sees wrestling as the best preparation for playing in the box.
But it’s not just the physical aspect that helped mold him—it was the mental grind. Anderson recalled his grueling high school practices under Coach Ray Long, a former state champion and All-American linebacker, who relentlessly pushed him beyond his limits. That experience, as brutal as it was, prepared him for the psychological hurdles that came with competing at Ohio State. While other freshmen cracked under the pressure, Anderson had already been hardened by years of wrestling practices that left no room for weakness or excuse.
Now a veteran wrestling coach himself, Anderson brings that same tenacity to his high school athletes. His coaching style is rooted in discipline and resilience, traits he believes are essential to competing at the next level. Anderson shared a story of one former wrestler who, after starting football at Kent State, called him just weeks into camp to say how easy it felt compared to high school wrestling practices—proof, he said, of how wrestling prepares athletes not only physically, but emotionally and mentally for the challenges ahead.
Anderson also spoke about his son, a towering athlete nearing 6-foot-7, who initially showed interest in football but ultimately gravitated toward lacrosse and wrestling. Despite starting wrestling late, Anderson’s son has shown promise, thanks in part to the same work ethic his father instilled.
The conversation took a nostalgic turn when the hosts asked Anderson whether he ever wrestled anyone on the Ohio State football team. While he never squared off with anyone seriously, he did point to Alex Stepanovich as someone who might have given him a solid match. Anderson even recalled nearly being recruited to fill a spot on the Buckeye wrestling team during his freshman year—until he found out the heavyweight he’d face was none other than Brock Lesnar. Safe to say, he’s glad that one didn’t happen.
The podcast wrapped with playful speculation about a dream matchup between Anderson and fellow former Buckeye wrestler Luke Fickell. Anderson admitted he likely couldn’t match Fickell in his prime but didn’t back down from the idea of stepping onto the mat. Wrestling, for Anderson, is more than a sport—it’s a mindset, a proving ground, and a lifelong teacher of toughness, grit, and self-reliance.
From Buckeye to coach, Tim Anderson’s story is a testament to the powerful bond between wrestling and football. For young athletes dreaming of the ‘Shoe or beyond, his message was clear: if you want to win in football, start on the mat.
