Buckeyes select 4 captains

8/23/2008

COLUMBUS James Laurinaitis will serve for a second year as an Ohio State captain, joining quarterback Todd Boeckman, cornerback Malcolm Jenkins and wide receiver Brian Robiskie as leaders of the football team this fall. All of the players are seniors.

Laurinaitis, an All-American linebacker and winner of the Butkus Award a year ago, becomes just the seventh Ohio State player to be a captain for two years. The others were Richard T. Ellis (1891-92), Archie Griffin (1974-75), Glen Cobb (1981-82), Thomas Johnson (1984-85), Joe Cooper (2000-01) and Steve Bellisari (2000-01).

'It's unbelievable to have the chance to represent the type of player and people we have on this team as their captain for another year,' said Laurinaitis.

Robiskie is the son of a former NFL player, head coach and assistant coach, Terry Robiskie.

'Being a captain is one of those things, when it happens you feel blessed,' Brian Robiskie said.

No. 2 Ohio State opens its season Aug. 30 at home against Youngstown State.

SOUTH BEND, Ind. Notre Dame tight end Mike Ragone, expected to vie for the starting position, will miss the season after undergoing surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Ragone, a sophomore, who caught one pass last season, injured his knee while running routes this summer. Other possible starters at tight end include, junior Will Yeatman and freshman Kyle Rudolph.