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Are any former Ohio State football players in the XFL?

colin gay, the columbus dispatch
·3 min read

The XFL is making a comeback.

The self-described "fan-first, fast-paced global professional football league" led by an ownership group including Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will return Saturday after a brief 2020 season that was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic under former owner and WWE executive Vince McMahon.

With eight teams led by coaches like former Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops, former NFL defensive coordinator and head coach Wade Phillips and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, only two former Ohio State football players will take the field starting Saturday.

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Former Ohio State RB Rod Smith returns to football with the Vegas Vipers

FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2014, file photo, Ohio State running back Rod Smith carries the ball during an NCAA college football practice in Columbus, Ohio. Rod Smith has left the Ohio State team to “deal with some personal issues.” Head coach Urban Meyer confirmed the speculated move on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, in an email.(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 9, 2014, file photo, Ohio State running back Rod Smith carries the ball during an NCAA college football practice in Columbus, Ohio. Rod Smith has left the Ohio State team to “deal with some personal issues.” Head coach Urban Meyer confirmed the speculated move on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, in an email.(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)

In four seasons with Ohio State from 2011-14, Rod Smith never found himself at the top of the team's running back rotation, recording 643 total yards and 10 total touchdowns on 116 touches.

Smith was dismissed from the football program in 2014 after a failed drug test before he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Seattle Seahawks ahead of the 2015 season.

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In 55 career NFL games from 2016-19, including 48 with the Dallas Cowboys, Smith scored six touchdowns and averaged 3.6 yards per rush on 101 carries.

Smith is one of four running backs on the Vipers' roster along with former Fresno State back Brian Burt, former Penn State back John Lovett and former North Texas back DeAndre Torrey.

Former Ohio State DT Antwuan Jackson earns roster spot

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson (52) celebrates a sack on Akron Zips quarterback DJ Irons (0) during the game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio Sept. 25. Ohio State would win the game 59-7
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson (52) celebrates a sack on Akron Zips quarterback DJ Irons (0) during the game against the Akron Zips at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio Sept. 25. Ohio State would win the game 59-7

Transferring to Ohio State from Blinn Junior College, defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson recorded 47 tackles in 22 career games for Ohio State from 2019-21.

Jackson recorded a career-high 23 tackles, 4.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks for the Buckeyes in 2021.

Jackson does not have any professional football experience after going undrafted in 2022.

 cgay@dispatch.com 

@_ColinGay

Ohio State football schedule 2023

Here's what Ohio State's 2023 football schedule looks like.

  • Sept. 2: Ohio State vs. Indiana, Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Indiana

  • Sept. 9: Ohio State vs. Youngstown State, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

  • Sept. 16: Ohio State vs. Western Kentucky, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

  • Sept. 23: Ohio State vs. Notre Dame, Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana

  • Oct. 7: Ohio State vs. Maryland, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

  • Oct. 14: Ohio State vs. Purdue, Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana

  • Oct. 21: Ohio State vs. Penn State, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

  • Oct. 28: Ohio State vs. Wisconsin, Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, Wisconsin

  • Nov. 4: Ohio State vs. Rutgers, SHI Stadium, Piscataway, New Jersey

  • Nov. 11: Ohio State vs. Michigan State, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

  • Nov. 18: Ohio State vs. Minnesota, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

  • Nov. 25: Ohio State vs. Michigan, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Which Ohio State football players are in the XFL?