The Ohio State Club Football program celebrated its 10th year in 2019 with a national championship. 

Founded in 2009 by Joe Budgake, Marshal Carpenter and Jordan Fleischman, the Ohio State Club Football team has evolved tremendously from a 1-4 record in its inaugural season and has since accomplished two undefeated seasons, two division titles, 38 All-Americans and its 2019 NCFA National Championship. 

In order to celebrate its first decade of competitive football, the program has compiled a list of its best players from 2009-2019. First and Second All-Decade teams were selected based on a number of factors: 

• Career accomplishments (championships, All-America honors, captain, team officer, etc.)
• Stats
• Fan voting
• Overall ability and contributions to the program

Defensive Line

First Team

Michael Fenstermaker (2016-19)

A force to be reckoned with off the edge, Fenstermaker set multiple program records in his four years with the team.

He holds the program record for sacks in a single season with 12.0 in 2017 and collected 22.5 overall, the record for career sacks as a Buckeye. Despite missing the first half of the regular season in 2019 due to injury, he managed 6.0 sacks during Ohio State’s national title run.

In addition to being the most prolific pass rusher in team history, Fenstermaker also ranks fourth in career tackles with 92. He was also named a Second-Team All-Decade Offensive Lineman, one of four players to make an All-Decade team on both sides of the ball.

Christopher Fong (2013)

Despite playing just one season for the Ohio State Club Football program, Fong made his mark on Ohio State Football forever.

After dominating the trenches and helping our team to a 6-win season in 2013, Fong walked-on to the Ohio State Football program and played for Urban Meyer in 2014 and 2015. Although he never officially recorded a stat for the varsity Buckeyes, he played an integral role on Ohio State’s scout team and won a 2014 CFP National Championship as well as a Fiesta Bowl title in 2015.

Chase Gasser (2017-19)

Arguably the most disruptive defender in NCFA history, Gasser set numerous program records in his three years with the program.

Despite being undersized (215 lbs) for a defensive tackle, Gasser became the first 3x First-Team All-American in program history after collecting 133 tackles and 19 sacks from 2017-19. He ranks second in team history in both career tackles and sacks.

After helping the team to a 6-2 record in 2017, Gasser became a team captain and led the Buckeyes to a combined 13-1 record over his last two seasons including two division titles and a national championship.

Second Team

Connor Slade (2016-17)

A former team president and team officer, Slade was a staple on both the offensive and defensive lines in his two years with the team.

His seven career sacks places him fifth on the all-time list, and he was a multi-game starter at multiple positions across the offensive line. He was part of a team that went 11-4 over his two years, including a 66-0 win over UM-Flint in 2016, the highest margin of victory in Ohio State Club Football history.

Chris Kuzak (2012-13)

One of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the history of the program, Kuzak dominated opposing offensive lines for the two years he played for the Buckeyes. He also served as Vice President for the team in 2013.

Kuzak was the first NCFA First-Team All-American in program history in 2013 and is tied for third all-time in career sacks. He also filled in at fullback on offense when needed and was one of the featured members of the team in the 2013 team documentary, The Other Eleven.

Sammy Ramey (2018-19)

Ramey transferred to Ohio State in 2018 after originally redshirting for Ohio Dominican in 2017. He immediately stepped in as a two-way starter in his first season with the Buckeyes as the team won its first ever division title.

Despite missing the first part of the 2019 season due to injury, Ramey returned to the starting lineup as a defensive end and collected 14 total tackles, including a season-best five stops in the 36-9 win over Oakland University in the national championship game.

Linebackers

First Team

Dylan Barron (2014-18)

Perhaps the most devoted and productive player in program history, Barron played linebacker for the Buckeye defense for five seasons, starting nearly every game in his career.

Barron holds the program records for career tackles (136) and forced fumbles in a single game (3). He is also tied for most career forced fumbles (6) and was a two-time captain elected by his peers and coaches. After the Buckeyes went 6-7 in his first two seasons, Barron helped Ohio State improve to a 15-5 record over his last three years, including the teams first ever division title in 2018.

After his playing career ended, Barron joined the Buckeye coaching staff as a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. In his first year on the staff, Ohio State’s defense surrendered just six touchdowns in eight games, none of which came through the air. He was elected assistant coach of the year by his players.

Kody Brown (2016-17)

Thought of as one of the hardest hitting players in the history of the program, Brown filled up the stat sheet in his two years with the team. He ranks third all-time in tackles (132) and is the program leader in single-season tackles.

He was named an NCFA First-Team All-American and a team captain in 2017 and is tied with Barron for the program record for career forced fumbles and holds the record for fumble recoveries in a season. During his time with the program, the Buckeyes went 11-4 and posted a pair of shutout performances defensively.

Tyler Gabalski (2013-14)

A Columbus native, Gabalski joined the program in 2013 after two seasons with John Carroll University in Cleveland.

He immediately stepped in as a starting linebacker, helping the Buckeyes to a 6-4 record in his first season. He returned in 2014 and was elected the Vice President of the team. Serving as a starting linebacker, he also filled in at guard on offense when needed. For his performances both on and off the field, he was named the program’s first NCFA Academic All-American.

After a stellar playing career, Gabalski spent time as an assistant coach from 2015-18 coaching the linebackers. He was part of the coaching staff that helped win the first division title in program history.

Jared Neidhard (2012-13)

A leader both on and off the field for the Buckeyes in his two years with the team, Neidhard was a staple on the Ohio State defense in the early years of the program.

A team-captain for the 2013 season, Neidhard helped the Buckeyes jump out to a 6-1 record in the first seven games of that season. A team officer, Neidhard was also featured prominently in the 2013 documentary about the team, The Other Eleven.

Second Team

Brant Zemelka (2016-19)

A transfer from Tiffin University, Zemelka moved from safety to linebacker in 2016 for the Buckeyes and immediately made an impact in Ohio State’s 3-4 defense.

Zemelka ranks fifth in program history in career tackles (90) and is tied for second in team history for career fumble recoveries (3). Despite battling injuries later in his career, Zemelka helped the Buckeyes to two division titles and a national championship in 2019. He collected 16 tackles in his final year with the Buckeyes and a fumble recovery in a 46-2 win over Wright State.

Josh Farley (2017-18)

A fixture in the middle of Ohio State’s defense, Farley put together two solid years in his time with the Buckeyes.

After leading the Buckeyes to a 6-2 record in 2017, Farley returned in 2018 and helped Ohio State to a division title. While also starting at linebacker, Farley filled in along the offensive line when needed. He was named an NCFA Second-Team All-American in 2018. Despite missing the conference title game due to injury, he collected just over 40 tackles, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.

Xavier Thayer (2019)

A Purple Heart recipient and nine-year Army veteran, Thayer joined the program in 2019 and immediately became an impact player on defense and special teams.

Thayer collected 33 tackles in his first six games before a knee injury prevented him from playing in the majority of the last two games of the year. In addition to starting at linebacker, Thayer was a special teams standout and was elected special teams player of the year by his teammates. His best game came against division rival Miami (OH) in which he collected seven tackles in a 37-8 win.

Dierre Blash (2018-19)

One of four players to appear on both the offensive and defensive All-Decade teams, Blash was also a Second-Team All-Decade offensive lineman.

Defensively, Blash made his presence felt by forcing turnovers. In 11 career games, Blash has forced five fumbles, four of which came in 2019. The four forced fumbles in the championship season stand as a program record for forced fumbles in a single-year.

Blash tallied 26 total tackles in seven games in 2019, adding three sacks to his stat sheet. He has also started every game he’s played on the offensive line.

Defensive Backs

First Team

George Shapiro (2010-13)

A fierce competitor, Shapiro was known for his aggressive play on the field. The team President in 2013, Shapiro was also a team captain that season and was prominently featured in The Other Eleven.

A multi-year starter, Shapiro was entrenched as a team leader. In his final season with the Buckeyes, Shapiro set the still-standing team record for total tackles in a game with a whopping 21 against Coppin State. He was named an NCFA Second-Team All-American, the first defensive back in team history to earn postseason honors.

He also filled in at wide receiver in his final game in 2013, making multiple receptions against UM-Flint.

Kenny Merchant, jr. (2014-16)

A dynamic athlete, Merchant spent time on offense and returning kicks and punts in addition to being a standout cornerback.

A Second-Team All-American in 2016, Merchant holds the program record for pass deflections in a career (26) and a single game (5). He was also a two-time captain and team President in 2016. He played an integral role – on and off the field – in turning around a program that went 6-7 in his first two seasons with the team to going 5-2 in his final year.

De’Shawn White (2017, 2019)

Joining Fenstermaker and Blash as one of the four players to appear on the Offensive and Defensive All-Decade teams, White was a lockdown corner while also being an explosive wide receiver.

In just three games in 2017, White collected six pass deflections and a pick-6 in a win over Wright State. Returning in 2019 after a 1.5 year stint with the varsity Ohio State Football program, White picked up right where he left off. He was named a Second-Team All-American at cornerback and was part of a defense that didn’t allow a passing touchdown all season.

For his career, White has tallied 17 total tackles along with his shutdown coverage skills.

Sam Frank (2019)

In his first year with the program, Frank earned the starting free safety role and instantly became one of the best defensive backs in the country. An Army veteran, he brought toughness and tenacity to the Buckeye secondary.

Frank tallied 43 total tackles, two interceptions and a scoop-and-score in eight games in 2019. For his efforts he was named an NCFA Second-Team All-American. In the national championship game victory over Oakland, he was named MVP after he collected 14 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

Second Team

Elisha Glass (2013-15)

Not many players in the history of the program have been able to cover as much ground with the ball in the air as Elisha Glass.

Also a standout at wide receiver in his time with the Buckeyes, Glass stood out as a safety in 2014 and 2015 for the Buckeyes. He is tied for the team record for interceptions in a single season with four. He is also second in team history for interceptions in a single game, when he collected three in a shutout victory over UM-Flint in 2015.

Tavontae Norwood (2017-18)

One of the more decorated players in team history, Norwood was a three-way star in his two years with the team.

Norwood was an NCFA First-Team All-American as a return specialist in 2017 and was also named a Second-Team All-American as a safety that same season. He is tied for the team record in career interceptions (6) and single-season interceptions (4). Despite missing time in 2018 due to a nagging ankle injury, he served as the team’s starting running back while also collecting a crucial interception against Miami (OH) which helped lead to the first division title in team history.

DaJuan Seward (2019)

In just one season with the Buckeyes, Seward established himself as one of the best players in program history to ever strap them up. A former varsity Ohio State Track and Field athlete, Seward stepped in at strong safety for the Buckeyes and was a force to be reckoned with.

During the national title winning season, he posted 45 total tackles, two interceptions and two forced fumbles, the second of which was returned for a touchdown in the championship game. Both of his interceptions came in a 42-7 win over RMU-Peoria, the latter being returned for a touchdown.

In the championship game, Seward posted 19 total tackles which ranks second all-time in a single game in program history.

Casey Scroggins (2019)

Also on the Second-Team All-Decade as a wide receiver, Scroggins was also a tenacious defender during his freshman season.

In addition to making 22 tackles from his cornerback position, Scroggins also deflected nine passes in 2019, already placing him fourth on the career list. Teamed up with White, Frank and Seward, the four combined to make arguably the best secondary in NCFA history having never surrendered a passing touchdown.

Special Teams

First Team

Lorenzo King (2017-19)

The most decorated kicker/punter in program history, King owns the majority of the kicking records in team history. Records that he holds are as follows;

• Longest Field Goal Made (41 yards)
• Average Yards Per Punt – 2017 (40.41 yards)
• Longest Punt (55 yards)

King is a three-time All-American, earning first-team honors in 2017 and second-team honors in 2018 and 2019 and has handled the kickoff duties for the Buckeyes the last three seasons.

Second Team

Alexander Strohm (2019)

In his 2019 season, Strohm broke team records for field goals made in a single season (7) and extra points converted in a single season (27). He was named an NCFA First-Team All-American after converting on 7-of-11 field goal attempts with a long of 35 yards.