In 2009, the St. Louis Rams were coming off of a 2-14 season and beginning the Steve Spagnuolo era by drafting tackle Jason Smith with the second overall pick. That move didn’t work out well for the Rams, but in the second round they found a linebacker out of Ohio State who’d do no less than make a lot of tackles.
As a member of the Buckeyes, James Laurinaitis became the first player to win two Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year awards. On a defense with players like Cam Heyward, Vernon Gholston and Malcolm Jenkins, Laurinaitis stood out as a leader and an Ohio State legend.