Buckeye Heroes: Ohio State tackle Orlando Pace set the standard for offensive linemen.
Buckeye Heroes: Orlando Pace, the former Ohio State tackle, set the benchmark for offensive linemen
It’s been 27 years since the renowned pancake man showcased his skills in Columbus, yet the Buckeyes are still on the lookout for the next Orlando Pace. Spoiler: Identifying such a player is no easy task.
Leading up to the start of preseason camp in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be dedicating articles to different themes each week. This week, the focus is on Ohio State heroes—be they prominent figures in Buckeye athletic history or perhaps underrated icons, including those who made significant contributions off the field. You can catch up on all Theme Week content here and all “Buckeye Heroes” articles here.
For Ohio State fans of a certain vintage, thoughts of former OSU offensive tackle Orlando Pace flood their minds with each hearty breakfast. Though he may not have coined the term “pancake” for the act of forcefully toppling an opposing defender to the ground, Pace undeniably popularized it during his tenure from 1994 to 1996, anchoring the left side of the Buckeye offensive line.
Hailing from Sandusky, Ohio, Pace arrived in Columbus carrying substantial expectations, given his massive 6-foot-7, 300-plus-pound frame. A two-sport star and two-way football player in high school, Pace earned accolades as a Parade magazine high school All-American on offense and a USA Today All-American on defense.
Pace wasted no time making an impact, becoming Ohio State’s second true freshman starter on opening day. Alongside the lone 1994 returning starter on the offensive line, Korey Stringer, Pace formed arguably the best pair of tackles ever to play together for the Buckeyes. In his freshman year, Pace helped secure a comfortable 34-10 victory over Fresno State in the 1994 Disneyland Pigskin Classic, with the Buckeyes rushing for 183 yards and three touchdowns.
Pace’s collegiate career included notable achievements such as being named the 1994 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. In his junior season, he showcased versatility by occasionally playing in the middle of the defensive line in goal-line situations. As the new leader of the offensive line after Stringer’s departure for the NFL, Pace contributed to Eddie George’s impressive 1995 season, where George finished second in the country with 1,927 yards rushing and an NCAA-best 24 rushing touchdowns.
Despite Pace’s exceptional performance, he finished fourth in the final Heisman Trophy voting for the 1996 season, a rare feat for an offensive lineman. He left Ohio State in 1996 and went on to be drafted as the first overall pick by the St. Louis Rams in the NFL draft.
Pace’s NFL career spanned from 1997 to 2009, during which he became a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, a three-time First-Team All-Pro, and played a key role in the Rams’ Super Bowl victory in January 2000. He was honored as a member of the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Pace was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2013. His legacy as one of the greatest football players in Ohio State history remains, characterized by his power, quick feet, good hands, and surprising speed for his size.
As a lasting tribute, Pace was named a starter on the Sports Illustrated All-Century Team at the end of 1999, solidifying his place in Ohio State football history. His unique combination of skills and achievements makes it unlikely that another player of his caliber will emerge anytime soon.
