We're counting down the days to kickoff with “99 Warriors,” the greatest Ohio State Buckeyes by jersey number, as voted by the staff of Eleven Warriors.
No. 18 Merle Wendt
Long before programs recruited prospects from all corners of the country, Middletown native Merle Wendt was courted by schools as far away as Southern California. He opted to stay home and play for Ohio State under head coach Francis Schmidt, however.
1934-36
b. April 7, 1915 (Middletown, OH)
d. Feb. 12, 2000 (Ashland, OH)
- All-American (1934-36)
- All-Western Conference (1934-36)
- Team Captain (1936)
- Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame (1981)
The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Wendt started out his career as a center, but quickly moved to end — which was effectively a wide receiver or tight end at that time on offense and pretty self-explanatory on defense — because of his speed.