Buckeye Bits: senior leader who finally inherits the starter’s role at middle linebacker … has the speed to play at any of the three linebacker spots if needed … strong, runs well and is a tough, physical player … has demonstrated a penchant for making plays
2008 (Junior): worked behind All-American James Laurinaitis at MLB … 11 tackles for the season … suffered sprained knee vs. Troy and was out for several weeks … returned to play at Michigan State, recovering a fumbled Buckeye punt return … pair of tackles at Northwestern and in Michigan win … special teams champion: Michigan State … Jack Tatum big hit: Michigan … special teams dog tags: Michigan State, Northwestern, Michigan
2007 (Sophomore): versatile linebacker who started on four special teams units … 26 tackles for the season … seven tackles and a sack (-12) in the win over Youngstown State … five tackles against Kent State … special units player of week: Wisconsin … Jack Tatum hit of week: Kent State … special teams dog tags: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan
2006 (Freshman): played in all 13 games … saw the majority of his time on special teams … collected seven tackles, including career-high three in the win at Michigan State … had two tackles against Cincinnati and one each against Indiana and Northwestern
2005 (Redshirt): played with the scout team and impressed the coaches with his overall ability
High School: won first team all-state honors as a senior, when he was in on 132 tackles, including 11 TFL and seven sacks … also had a pair of interceptions as a senior … was first team all-conference as a junior and senior and was named conference linebacker of the year both years… recorded 120 tackles as a junior … played three years of basketball and started as a junior, then concentrated on football … an honor student
Personal: son of Greg and Dawn Spitler … has a younger sister, Blair … father is an Ohio State graduate and his mother graduated from Marshall … communication major … 2007-08 Big Ten all-academic
