Post-OSU Update: Eli Apple left Ohio State with two years of eligibility remaining. He was the 10th overall pick (1st round) of the 2016 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. After two and a half tumultuous and inconsistent years with the Giants, he was traded to the Saints. From there, Apple launched a more productive and consistent career with the Saints, Carolina, Cincinnati, and now the Dolphins. (updated: Dec. 2023)

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.