Former Ohio State captain would have heartbroken if Buckeyes beat Washington Huskies this week

A Storied Career at Ohio State

Scottie Graham was a dynamic force in the Buckeyes’ backfield for four seasons. His breakout year came in 1989, when he rushed for 924 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. That season, he also added 110 receiving yards and a touchdown, totaling 1,034 yards from scrimmage—ranking among the top performers in the Big Ten.

Over his college career, Graham amassed:

• 1,704 rushing yards
• 19 rushing touchdowns
• 215 receiving yards
• 1 receiving touchdown
• 2,131 all-purpose yards

He had five 100-yard rushing games in 1989 alone, including a standout performance against Wisconsin and a 133-yard, two-touchdown effort against Michigan [2]. His longest runs included a 70-yard dash against Boston College and a 60-yarder versus Indiana, showcasing his breakaway speed.

Graham was known not only for his production but also for his leadership. He was elected team captain in his senior year, a testament to his character and influence in the locker room.

Beyond the Field

After graduating with degrees in education and sport leadership and later earning a master’s in Black Studies, Graham was selected in the 7th round of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He went on to play six seasons in the NFL, most notably with the Minnesota Vikings, where he once set a team record for most rushing yards in consecutive games—139 yards against the Packers, followed by 166 yards against the Chiefs.

Remarkably, Graham completed his NFL career without a single fumble, earning the Ed Block Courage Award in 1996 for his sportsmanship.

Coaching and Leadership

Before joining Washington in 2024, Graham served as the running backs coach at Arizona, helping lead the Wildcats to a 10-win season and an Alamo Bowl victory in 2023. He also spent 15 years with the NFL Players Association and held a senior administrative role at Arizona State, focusing on student-athlete development.

Now, as he prepares to coach against the Buckeyes, Graham brings full-circle a career rooted in excellence, leadership, and resilience—qualities he first honed in Columbus.

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