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School Bio

Lowes: Laurinaitis Wins Senior Class Award - 1.6.09

CFI: Player Anatomy: LB James Laurinaitis, OSU - 11.20.08

CFI: Q&A - James Laurinaitis, MLB, Ohio St. - 10.9.08

1.18.08 - The former Buckeye linebacker has decided not to participate in this year's Under Armour Senior Bowl.

Scout's Take - 7.1.09

Pros: There are not many players who are as instinctive as this Buckeye. This is due in part to a studious attitude that sees Laurinaitis spend a great deal of time watching game film. The workout warrior has added weight and significantly increased his strength since his breakout season of 2006. He’s also managed to bulk up without losing any speed, giving him some impressive measurables. He will also contribute on special teams. Laurinaitis has the complete make-up to be an immediate contributor at the next level--he owns the middle and knows how to lead the defense. The MIKE also has good hands, leading the club with his five interceptions as a sophomore. Highly productive, Laurinaitis is a two-time All-American.

Cons: While his 2007 numbers were nearly equal to those in his Nagurski Award winning sophomore season of 2006, he was not quite the impact player as a junior. Make no mistake--Laurinaitis was very good as a junior, just not as special as many thought he’d be after his sophomore season. He has benefited from playing with several future pros, but when defenses have chosen to focus on him, we’ve seen that the Minnesota native can be shut down. He had a terrible game against the Florida Gators in the ’06 championship game and has not always been a difference maker when the level of competition steps up.

Overall: Like Jenkins, no one would have blinked an eye had Laurinaitis declared for the 2008 NFL Draft. He would have been a sure fire day one selection and a potential first round pick. After playing behind a stellar linebacking corps in 2005, Laurinaitis gave us the first glimpse of his star potential with a phenomenal performance against Texas early in ‘06. That performance included, among other things, a pair of forced fumbles. He is a legitimate three down player who will never have to leave the field, even in the NFL. His cons sound like nitpicking, but they suggest that Laurinaitis will be a very good--but not necessarily a great--player at the next level. The potential is there, but he is a notch below former Buckeye A.J. Hawk as a pro prospect.