11-07-2009, 08:02 AM
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Head Coach
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Join Date: Nov 2003
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Quote:
Worthington prepares to say goodbye, Columbus
Former St. Francis star nears end of Ohio State career
By Jim Wojtanik
News Sports Reporter
Updated: November 07, 2009
Getty Images
Doug Worthington leads Ohio State defensive linemen with 29 tackles this season.
Ohio Stadium is about as imposing a structure for a visiting college football team as there is.
Built during the Warren G. Harding administration, the horseshoe-shaped grand gray lady holds 105,000, nearly all of whom root rabidly for one of the most successful college football programs in the country.
And next week, Ohio State defensive lineman and St. Francis graduate Doug Worthington will enter that field for the last time.
"We were all talking about it last week [a 45-0 pasting of New Mexico State last Saturday], that this last game was the last time we'd all be running through the tunnel together as a team," said Worthington, who will be honored with other seniors before the game with Iowa next week. "It's been a blessing to play here. You really can't put words into it."
His defensive coordinator and line coach, Jim Heacock, has been with the team for 14 years and has seen a lot of Senior Days, but even he admits that they are emotional.
"They can be tough," he said. "But in the coaching profession one thing you get satisfaction from is seeing a young man grow while he's here. And Doug has certainly done that."
The 6-foot-6, 276-pound Worthington came to Columbus after an outstanding two-year career at St. Francis, where he landed after Turner-Carroll closed its doors. A redshirt and member of the scout team in 2005, he suffered a right knee injury on the first day of bowl practice, had surgery and sat out all of the winter workouts and spring practice.
But after much hard work, he was a full-time starter by his sophomore year and voted a team captain for this season. He leads all Ohio State defensive linemen with 29 tackles and his fumble recovery in the season opener against Navy helped the Buckeyes win a game that proved tougher than expected.
And now he's in position to be a middle-round pick in next spring's NFL draft.
"Right now he's projected to be a third- or fourth-rounder," said Jerry Smith, his high school coach at St. Francis. "If he can bulk up to 290-295 pounds he could be higher."
Smith recalled with fondness all the attention that came during the recruiting process.
"There were about 20 or 21 schools interested in Doug," he said. "Before he flew to Florida to be announced as coach, Urban Meyer and his entourage came up to take a look at him. Alabama came several times when Mike Shula was the coach. Penn State and Boston College also wanted him."
But for Worthington, his choice was made easy thanks to the Buckeyes' head coach, Jim Tressel.
"He not only teaches you about football, but he teaches us how to become young men," he said.
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Worthington prepares to say goodbye, Columbus : Sports : The Buffalo News
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(corny I know, but I get giddy on the day of the Game)
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