Pronunciation: WARN-key

Major: Business (1998-99), Undecided (1996-97)

Weight: 196 (1998-99), 185 (1996-97)

1999 Media Guide: Darik Warnke has battled through more than his share of injuries throughout his career, but he keeps bouncing back. Three times he has pulled a hamstring plus he has had an injured hand and a lower right leg stress fracture, but he has still played in 17 games in his first two seasons. “Darik is dependable and well-versed in the sport of football,” receivers coach Chuck Stobart said. “He runs great routes, has excellent hands and simply has a feel for the game.” He enters his junior season with seven career receptions for 67 yards. He is a three-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and a two-time academic all-Big Ten Conference honoree.

1998: Hampered with two pulled hamstrings and also a lower right leg stress fracture. Played in seven games and caught five passes for 47 yards (a 9.4 per catch average). Had a career-best three receptions for 26 yards in the win over Iowa. Also had two receptions vs. Toledo.

1998 Media Guide: A two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and an academic all-Big Ten honoree … another member of the Buckeyes’ talented young receiving corps … a smart and dependable split end who has terrific hands and simply does not drop balls … he has worked hard to improve … showed terrific sideline play in the spring game … receivers coach Chuck Stobart says Darik “recognizes what he needs to work on and he does that … he has improved his speed through the running program … he has become an excellent route runner.”

1997: Appeared in 10 games and had two receptions for 20 yards (an 11 yarder against Indiana and a nine yarder against Michigan State) … also played on the special teams.

1997 Media Guide: Redshirted last year as a freshman … was impressive in fall camp and played well in the spring … will be used in a reserve role this fall … is a possession-type receiver with sure hands and the ability to find the open spot in the defense … also a hard-nosed blocker … runs tight, precise routes … young player with a bright future.

High School: Caught 35 passes for 665 yards and 10 TDs and also had 64 tackles, 14 sacks and two interceptions on defense as a senior at Walsh Jesuit … set a school record for receptions as a junior with 53 catches for 720 yards and seven TDs … caught 116 passes for 1,775 yards and 21 TDs for his career … the receiving yards were also a school mark … had 35 tackles and 12 sacks as a junior … All-America selection by SuperPrep … Associated Press first-team all-Ohio offense (Division II) … rated the best receiver in the Midwest by Bluechip Illustrated … rated the 17th best skill player in the country by SuperPrep and the 20th best player in the Midwest … rated the 47th best player in the Midwest by Prep Football Report … rated the ninth best player in Ohio by The Ohio Football Recruiting News … three year starter and letterwinner in football, three in basketball and one in baseball and track … helped lead Walsh Jesuit to a three-year record of 32-5, with two final four appearances and the state quarterfinals as a senior … basketball team also advanced to state quarterfinals as a senior … High school coach was Gerry Rardin.

Personal: Chose Ohio State because “I love the school and the football tradition” … Has one sister … both parents graduated from Ohio State … numerous aunts and uncles also attended OSU .. . is undecided on major … full name is Darik Michael Warnke.