Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis, a former Ohio State and NFL linebacker, will ring the victory bell ahead of the Buckeyes' home game vs. Illinois on Sept. 29.
Laurinaitis will be the first bell ringer who is an active member of the Ohio State football program. The Buckeyes introduced the tradition at the beginning of the 2025 season.
Laurinaitis was a three-time All-American and First Team All-Big Ten honoree from 2006-08. He also received the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s best defensive player in 2006. With Laurinaitis spearheading the defense, the Buckeyes reached the BCS national championship game in consecutive seasons, finishing as runner-up to Florida and then LSU.
Laurinaitis was drafted in the second round (35th
overall) by the St. Louis Rams in the 2009 NFL Draft and played professionally for eight seasons. He led the league in tackles in 2012.
On Dec. 8, Laurinaitis will be the 29th Ohio State player inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, run by the National Football Foundation.
See who else has rung the victory bell at Ohio State the last two seasons below.
Previous victory bell ringers at Ohio State football games
(2026)
- Sept. 5 (vs. Ball State): Maurice Clarett
- Sept. 19 (vs. Kent State): Katie Smith
(2025)
- Aug. 30 (vs. Texas): Archie Griffin
- Sept. 6 (vs. Grambling State): John Cooper
- Sept. 13 (vs. Ohio University): Clark Kellogg
- Oct. 4 (vs. Minnesota): Michael Redd
- Nov. 1 (vs. Penn State): Urban Meyer
- Nov. 15 (vs. UCLA): Jerry Lucas, with Jake Diebler ringing it on Lucas' behalf
- Nov. 22 (vs. Indiana): Jim Tressel
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: James Laurinaitis to ring victory bell vs Illinois. See full list of ringers
