September 11, 2008

Tom Dienhart
Rivals.com College Football Senior Writer

MORE: King: Maualuga has soft side | Wetzel: Must-win for OSU | OSU relies on running tradition

It's all about giving back, and leaving a place a little better than you found it. Does that make sense?

That notion may not resonate with today's "what's-in-it-for-me?" MySpace culture. But it does to Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis. It's not just about winning more individual honors. It's about reaching out to youngsters and also leaving a mark on a program he loves. Making a difference, you know?

"I wouldn't mind getting back to a third BCS title game," he says. "But that wasn't my motivation to come back for my senior year. Sometimes you take it for granted, how much you are loved here. I wanted to come back and be with my teammates."

Laurinaitis also wanted to be at the Evans Laboratory in Columbus, Ohio, over the summer. There he was, sitting on a table and offering career advice to youngsters as part of a National Youth in Sports Program. A big part of Laurinaitis' message: Be humble, respect others and be disciplined in everything you do.

No doubt, he's a larger-than-life Buckeye, a hero to children who scramble around in backyards after school in No. 33 jerseys. He's also the face of an Ohio State defense that wants to prove it's USC's equal ? if not better ? on Saturday in Los Angeles when USC meets the Buckeyes.

"That defense is fast," says Ohio U. offensive coordinator Tim Albin, who prepared for the Buckeyes' defense last Saturday. "They returned nine starters from a defense that ranked No. 1 in the nation. We played Virginia Tech last year, and I don't think their defense stacks up with Ohio State's. They have tremendous speed across the board. And there were many coverages, probably more in that one game than we'll see the rest of the season. That makes it difficult on your quarterback.

"And then there's Laurinaitis. He's active and moves sideline to sideline. Plus, he doesn't stay blocked."

Individual awards? Laurinaitis has been there, done that. And there's no doubt that when the discussion of all-time great Ohio State linebackers comes up, Laurinaitis already is in the conversation with the likes of Gradishar, Cousineau, Marek, Kumerow, Spielman, Katzenmoyer and Hawk.

But there's something missing: a national title trophy. Beating USC is the next step in attaining a goal Laurinaitis came close to achieving in each of the past two seasons.

Now, Laurinaitis sits poised to play in the biggest regular-season game of his life. This is why he eschewed the NFL's millions and Sunday stardom to return for one more season of Saturday afternoon glory playing with his buddies and for his school.

It's heady stuff for a guy from Wayzata High in Plymouth, Minn., who in 2005 was rated by Rivals.com as a three-star prospect and only the fourth-best prospect in Minnesota, behind defensive tackle Walker Ashley, offensive lineman Rafael Eubanks and tight end Joey Hiben.

Back then, teammates called Laurinaitis "Shrek."

"I'm glad that nickname didn't follow me here," Laurinaitis says.

Today, he goes by plain, old "James." And it is "James." It's not Jim or Jimmy. It's James. That's how he prefers it.

And that, in itself, speaks volumes about the humble Laurinaitis, who grew up in the flash-and-crash world of pro wrestling as the son of a father who made his living in the ego-driven "sport." Joe Laurinaitis was known as "Animal," half of the famed tandem dubbed the "Road Warriors" that held sway in the 1980s and 1990s.

What kid doesn't want to grow up to be like dad? Well, Laurinaitis did ? to a degree. He's a muted version of the primal-scream, folding-chair-over-the-head image his father portrayed in the ring.

Not that Laurinaitis didn't try out his wrestling moves. In middle school, he and his buddies would try on his dad's outfits. And ask Laurinaitis about some of his mock "WrestleMania" events in his home. He was as good as any 10-year-old when it came to flying off the back of the sofa (turnbuckle, in his mind) and executing a figure-four leg lock. And mom ? a body builder ? could hold her own, too. The rough-housing trickled down to younger sister Jessica, who played high school hockey.

Look at Laurinaitis now. He's all grown up, the unquestioned leader of the Ohio State defense and star of a linebacker unit that will have to play a big role in containing a balanced and dangerous USC offense that relies on speed.

So far, so good this fall. Laurinaitis helped pitch a shutout of Youngstown State in the opener, as the Penguins failed to cross the 50 until the last play of the game. Against Ohio U. last Saturday, a Laurinaitis-led Buckeyes defense rationed the Bobcats 254 yards, one of the few highlights in a lethargic 26-14 victory.

Next up: USC, a game that has been discussed and anticipated for months. Like Laurinaitis, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel knows what's at stake. And Tressel knows the sacrifices Laurinaitis and the other seniors ? cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, offensive tackle Alex Boone and linebacker Marcus Freeman ? who said "no" to the NFL made by returning this fall. It's all about the team. It's all about delivering a national championship to Ohio State.

"Hey, there's a bunch of guys that could have gone on, and they really enjoy their time here, they're excited about being here another year, so we've got to make sure they get our best," Tressel says. "It was a great reminder to us as a staff that they've risked a little bit, if you will, and we've got to make sure that we do everything we can do to make their risk pays off."

MORE: King: Maualuga has soft side | Wetzel: Must-win for OSU | OSU relies on running tradition

Tom Dienhart is the national senior writer for Rivals.com. He can be reached at dienhart@yahoo-inc.com.