Pronunciation: E-lie

Major: Sport Industry (2015), Communications (2014)

Weight: 200 (2015), 195 (2014), 188 (2013)

2015 Media Guide: Eli Apple is a third-year cornerback who is a sophomore in eligibility, a returning starter and an extremely talented performer … will start at cornerback for a second consecutive season as a sophomore after playing in 15 games as a redshirt freshman in 2014 with 14 starts and a total of 1,032 plays from scrimmage … is tied for the team lead (with Vonn Bell) with 13 total passes defensed.

2014: After red-shirting the 2013 season as a true freshman, Apple earned a starting position at cornerback opposite senior Doran Grant and proceeded to start 14 of 15 games for the national champion Buckeyes … he did not start against Michigan State because of a minor leg issue, but after
continuing to loosen up on the sidelines, he was in the game by the time of the team’s second defensive series … finished the season as one of the Top 10 tacklers on the team with 53, including 5.5 tackles-for-loss, plus he had 13 passes defended with three interceptions and 10 pass break-ups … recorded
first collegiate interception vs. Virginia Tech and also had interceptions vs. Maryland and in the College Football Playoff national championship game vs. Oregon … he intercepted Marcus Mariota’s final throw as a collegian; only the fourth interception thrown by the Heisman Trophy winner all season … had some of his best tackling numbers during the Buckeyes’ playoff run with five against both Wisconsin and Alabama and a career-high seven vs. Oregon … Apple ranked eighth in the Big Ten Conference with his 13 passes defended and was the only freshman among the conference’s Top 20 in that category …
named a freshman All-American by Athlon’s and Scout.com.

2014 Media Guide: Eli Apple red-shirted the 2013 season as a true freshman.

2013 Media Guide: Eli Apple enrolled at Ohio State in January 2013 as a five-star prospect (ESPN 150) and rated as high as the No. 11 prospect nationally on the ESPN 150 … the No. 1 prospect in New Jersey and No. 6 cornerback prospect (247Sports).

High School: Apple played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl after helping his Eastern High School team, coached by Dan Spittal, to a 7-4 record in 2012 and to a regional semifinals berth … had 17 pass break-ups, two interceptions, 45 tackles, three forced fumbles and a blocked kick in 2012, plus 39 receptions for 770 yards and four touchdowns on offense … was the fourth in this class to commit (on Feb. 16, 2012).

Personal: The son of Annie and Tim Apple, Eli changed his last name from Woodard to Apple to honor Tim, his father since age 2 … “…I am the man I am today because of his tireless love, and commitment to our family,” Eli said in a December 2012 statement. “So it is with great pride and honor to carry his last name. I am truly blessed to be Eli Apple.” … his family includes a younger sister, Jordan.