Post-OSU Update: Ryan Shazier left Ohio State with a year of eligibility to be the 15th pick of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Steelers. Shazier played four years in the NFL, starting 41 games and making two Pro Bowls. His career was cut tragically short in 2017 by a spine injury that left him paraplegic. Shazier has since learned to walk. After his playing days, Shazier has started a trucking company, written a book, and founded a non-profit. (updated: Oct. 2023)

Pronunciation: SHAY-zeer

Major: Psychology (2013), Communication (2012)

Weight: 222 (2013), 226 (2012), 210 (2011)

2013 Media Guide: Ryan Shazier is coming off back-to-back superb seasons for the Buckeyes and his efforts, highlighted by the fact he ranked among the Big Ten’s Top 10 in five different defensive stat categories in 2012, have this true junior positioned as a linebacker to watch nationally in 2013 … an honorable mention All America by SI.com and a first-team (media) all-Big Ten Conference honoree in 2012, Shazier led the Big Ten with 17 tackles-for-loss (the total ranks 10th for a single season at Ohio State) and finished second in the league with 115 total tackles … he also ranked in a tie for fourth in the conference in forced fumbles (3), seventh in quarterback sacks (5.0) and eighth in passes defended (12) … he became the first Buckeye sophomore since James Laurinaitis in 2006 to top 100 tackles in a season, and his 70 solo tackles last year was the most by a Buckeye in 10 years (Matt Wilhelm had 79 in 2002) … twice named as the Big Ten’s defensive player of the week, Shazier recorded six 10-plus tackle games with a season high 14 (and a personal-best 11 solos) in the win over Illinois … no game was bigger, though, than his eight-tackle performance at Penn State which included 2.0 sacks for minus-22 yards and a 17-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the third quarter that broke a 7-7 tie and sparked the Buckeyes to victory … he also had a huge forced fumble at the goal line – on fourth-and-inches – against Wisconsin in addition to 12 tackles (and three TFLs) in that overtime win … Ryan recorded a career-best five pass break-ups against Indiana and he had 13 tackles in the wins over California and UAB, respectively … playing linebacker at around 220-pounds, he’s proved to be a very tough individual, playing in all 25 games the past two seasons with 15 consecutive starts.

2012 Media Guide: Ryan is coming off a superb true freshman season in 2011 and is locked in as a starting linebacker in 2012 … he played in all 13 games last year and started the final three games … he recorded 57 tackles, the most by a true freshman in the last 15 years (Andy Katzenmoyer had 86 as a true freshman in 1996; Donnie Nickey was a red-shirt freshman when he had 73 in 1999) … played brilliantly in his starts, making 30 tackles in those three games after starting “will” linebacker Andrew Sweat was sidelined with a concussion … made his first career start – vs. Penn State – memorable with a two-year-best team high 15 tackles … he was named the Big Ten’s freshman of the week for his effort and later was awarded the team’s Agonis Club Rick Meyer award for his play against Penn State … had eight tackles the following week vs. Michigan despite being severely hampered with a bad knee … totaled 10 tackles at not-quite-100-percent vs. Florida in the Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl … had six solo tackles and seven total vs. Purdue after Sweat went out with his injury … Ryan made noise all year with big special teams hits and blocks … his block of a Wisconsin punt led to a Buckeye touchdown from the 1, a game Ohio State would eventually win, 33-29.

High School: All-state outside linebacker from Florida … 87 tackles, 19.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 4 blocked kicks for Coach Steve Davis … Broward County most outstanding player … 35.5 career sacks, a school best … Under Armour All-American Game.

Personal: Son of Shawn and Vernon Shazier … enrolled at Ohio State in January.