Ohio State’s senior class on its 2014 national championship team was small but vital, perhaps most of all in its leadership.
Defensive lineman Michael Bennett, linebacker Curtis Grant and cornerback Doran Grant took it upon themselves to become leaders by example and, when needed, vocally.
Bennett chastised his teammates during the Minnesota and Michigan games for lackluster play, igniting improvement in the second halves of those games. Written off after the 2013 season, Curtis Grant became a selfless leader, most notably by mentoring freshman Raekwon McMillan. Doran Grant helped transform a youthful secondary into a strength by season’s end.