Ohio State University: 2017 hall of fame class has been announced

Some of the best Ohio State athletes of all-time has been recognized by the university.

Former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel is already in the school’s hall of fame. Former basketball player Sconnie Penn is in it as well.

In a few months, many of the past successful athletes will be added into Ohio State’s hall of fame class.

On Wednesday, Ohio State announced the 2017 inductees.

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The two most recognizable names are former Buckeyes’ offensive lineman LeCharles Bentley and former point guard Mike Conley. Those successful players are joined by Tom Byers (track and field), Chelsea Davis (diving), Pete Hanson (volleyball), Bryce Keough (wrestling), Christina Manning (track and field), and Nancy Pearson (swimming).

Congrats to all who were named as hall of famers.

Focusing on the two most popular athletes listed, many knows that Bentley had an excellent college career and played well before  getting injured as a member of his hometown Cleveland Browns. However, do you know how much he actually accomplished?

Here is a breakdown of exactly all that he accomplished via Ohio State’s website:

"LeCharles Bentley was a four-year letterman on the football team who won every major award possible as a collegian and then went on to a professional career that included two Pro Bowl selections before an injury ended his playing days. His senior campaign also included his winning the top two offensive lineman awards for a center: he was named the Big Ten Conference’s offensive lineman of the year and he was the first Buckeye to ever win the Rimington Award as the nation’s outstanding center."

Had injuries not cut short Bentley’s career, his career looked very promising. Stating he was destined for the pro-football hall of fame was and still is very unlikely. However, barring his injury history, Bentley easily could have had 10 + years of successful play in the NFL.

If you recall, Conley was a key contributor to some of Ohio State’s more recent accomplishments on the court… all be it back in 2006-2007. That said, can you imagine what he could have achieved in college had he played for more than the one season?

Tough to argue him staying though given what he did for the university. Besides, it is hard to get drafted much earlier than he did. Here’s the list of highlights for Conley, also via Ohio State’s website:

"Mike Conley Jr. helped guide the Buckeyes to the NCAA championship game as a freshman in 2007. In Ohio State’s freshman record book, Conley Jr. ranks No. 8 in scoring (441 pts.), No. 8 in field goals made (160), No. 9 in field goal percentage (.518/160-309), No. 5 in made free throws (100), No. 1 in assists (238) and steals (87)."

But wait, there’s more!

"Conley was part of an Ohio State team that won a school record 35 total games, won the Big Ten regular season and postseason tournament titles and advanced to the 2007 NCAA National Championship game. He was the second of three Buckeyes selected in the first 21 overall picks of the 2007 NBA Draft. Conley Jr. went No. 4 to the Memphis Grizzlies."

All I can say is wow. There was so much potential seen from him in his days at Ohio State. If only it lasted longer. Yet, Ohio State fans can still see what makes him so special over the course of a NBA season.

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Who could be named in the 2018 class? Could Conley’s old teammate Greg Oden be added? He only played one season, but was just as dominate as Conley. Time will tell.