A.J. Hawk | Linebacker | Ohio State | 6'1" - 246 lbs.
OVERVIEW
Regarded by many as the best defensive player in college football, the two-time All-American was
a model of consistency throughout his Buckeyes career. He led the team in tackles in each of his
three seasons as a starter, rightfully taking his place alongside other OSU standout All-American
linebackers - Ike Kelley (All-American in 1964-65), Randy Gradisher (1972-73), Tom Cousineau
(1977-78), Pepper Johnson (1985), Chris Spielman (1987 Lombardi Award), Steve Tovar (1991-
92), Andy Katzenmoyer (1997 Butkus Award) and Na'il Diggs (1999).
He was rated the 30th-best middle linebacker in the prep ranks by Rivals.com and finished his
career with 585 tackles at Centerville High School (142 as a freshman, 192 as a sophomore and
169 as a junior). He also averaged over 40 yards as a punter his senior year. A.J. played point
guard on the basketball team as a freshman and sophomore.
Hawk lined up behind Cie Grant on OSU's depth chart at weak-side linebacker in 2002. The true
freshman recorded 26 tackles (13 solos) with an assisted sack, 3.5 stops for losses and two
interceptions, returning one for a score. The OSU scholar-athlete moved into the starting lineup
as a sophomore. He led the Buckeyes with 106 tackles (52 solos) and had four sacks with
thirteen stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also intercepted two passes and batted away five
others.
A.J. was a consensus All-American selection and team defensive MVP in 2004. He became just
the fifth Buckeye to register 20 or more tackles in a game (vs. Wisconsin) as he registered a
career-high 141 tackles 962 solos), the most hits by an OSU player in a season since Chris
Spielman posted 156 in 1986. He also made eight stops for losses while causing and recovering
a fumble. He again had two interceptions and deflected five passes in twelve games.
Hawk again garnered All-American first-team honors in 2005. He added All-Big Ten Conference
first-team accolades and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year by the media. He
captured the Lombardi Trophy and was chosen team MVP. A.J. led OSU with 121 tackles (69
solos) and 16.5 stops for losses. He tied for the team lead with 9.5 sacks, intercepted a pass and
deflected three others. He caused two fumbles, recovered another and blocked a punt that he
returned for a touchdown.
In 51 games at Ohio State, Hawk started 38 times. He was the first OSU defender since Steve
Tovar (1990-92) to lead the team in tackles three-straight seasons, as his 394 tackles (196 solos)
fell just shy of him becoming the fifth player in school history to record 400 tackles in a career. He
had 15.5 sacks for minus 114 yards and 41 stops for losses of 164 yards (sixth-best career total
in OSU annals). He caused three fumbles, recovered two others and blocked a punt for an 8-yard
score. He also had seven interceptions for 123 yards in returns and a touchdown while also
deflecting 13 passes.
CAREER NOTES
Ranks fifth on the school's career-record list with 394 tackles, topped by Marcus Marek (572,
1979-82), Tom Cousineau (569, 1975-78), Chris Spielman (546, 1984-87) and Steve Tovar (408,
1989-92)...His 141 tackles in 2004 rank 13th on OSU's season-record list and were the most by a
Buckeye since Chris Spielman totaled 156 in 1987...Joined Steve Tovar (1990-92) and Marcus
Marek (1980-82) as the only players to lead the team in tackles three consecutive seasons...His
41 stops behind the line of scrimmage rank sixth in school history behind Mike Vrabel (66, 1993-
96), Matt Finkes (59, 1993-96), Jason Simmons (56.5, 1990-93), Andy Katzenmoyer (50, 1996-
98) and Jerome Foster (43, 1979-82)... Became only the ninth player in school history to record
20 tackles in a game (20 vs. Wisconsin in 2004) and was the first since Chris Spielman totaled 22
vs. Michigan in 1986...Had at least 10 tackles in 18 games.
2005 SEASON
Unanimous All-American and All-Big Ten Conference first-team choice...Recipient of the
Lombardi Trophy and named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year by the league's media...
Team co-captain and defensive MVP... Also was a finalist for the Butkus and Bednarik awards as
well as the Lott Trophy...Started every game at weak-side outside linebacker, leading the team
for the third consecutive season with 121 tackles (69 solos)...Led the squad with 16.5 stops for
losses of 85 yards, the eighth-best season total in school history...Also tied for the team lead with
9.5 sacks for minus 72 yards, the sixth-best season total in OSU annals...Caused two fumbles
and recovered another...Returned a blocked punt 8 yards for a touchdown and had a 24-yard
interception return...Added three pass deflections...Guided a unit that led the nation in rushing
defense (73.42 ypg) and ranked fifth in total defense (281.73 ypg) and scoring defense (15.25
ppg)...Led the team in tackles in 10 games and had at least 10 tackles in six contests.
2004 SEASON
First-team All-American choice by The NFL Draft Report, Football Writers Association, The
Sporting News, Walter Camp and Associated Press...All-Big Ten Conference first-team pick and
team Defensive MVP...Ranked fifth in the nation with an average of 11.75 tackles per
game...Led the squad with a career-high 141 tackles (62 solos), the most hits by a Buckeye in a
season since Chris Spielman's 156 in 1986...Had a 3-yard sack and eight stops for losses of 14
yards...Returned a fumble recovery 5 yards and caused one fumble...Deflected five passes and
intercepted two others...Had at least ten tackles in eight contests.
2003 SEASON
All-Big Ten Conference first-team selection during his first year as a starter...Earned OSU
Scholar-Athlete honors...Started every game at weak-side outside linebacker...Led the team with
106 tackles (52 solos) in thirteen contests...Had four sacks for minus 34 yards and thirteen stops
for losses of 49 yards...Deflected five passes and intercepted two others for 55 yards in
returns...Had at least 10 tackles in four contests.
2002 SEASON
Played in every game behind Cie Grant at weak-side linebacker, earning his only start vs. Penn
State...Finished with 26 tackles (13 solos), an assisted sack and 3.5 stops for losses of 16
yards...Intercepted two passes for 44 yards in returns and a touchdown.
CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS
4.53 in the 40-yard dash...395-pound bench press...670-pound squat...390-pound power
clean...37-inch vertical jump...32-inch arm length...9 1/2-inch hands...Right-handed.
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Centerville (Oh.) High School, playing football for head coach Ron Ullery...
Rated the 30th-best middle linebacker in the prep ranks by Rivals.com...Finished his career with
585 tackles (142 as a freshman, 192 as a sophomore and 169 as a junior)... Also averaged over
40 yards as a punter his senior year...Played point guard on the basketball team as a freshman
and sophomore.
PERSONAL
Criminology major...Practices yoga, which he lists as one of the biggest risks he has
taken...Older brother, Ryan, was the starting quarterback at Ohio University (2001-04)... Son of
Judy and Keith Hawk...Born 1/06/84...Resides in Centerville, Ohio.
| DEFENSIVE STATISTICS |
| Year |
GP |
GS |
TK |
SO |
AS |
FR |
FC |
INT |
TFL |
PBU |
SK |
BK |
| 2002 |
14 |
1 |
26 |
13 |
13 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
3.5-16 |
0 |
0.5-5 |
0 |
| 2003 |
13 |
13 |
106 |
52 |
54 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
13-49 |
5 |
4-34 |
0 |
| 2004 |
12 |
12 |
141 |
62 |
79 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
8-14 |
5 |
1-3 |
0 |
| 2005 |
12 |
12 |
121 |
69 |
52 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
16.5-85 |
3 |
9.5-72 |
0 |
| Total |
51 |
38 |
394 |
196 |
198 |
2 |
3 |
7 |
41-164 |
13 |
15.5-114 |
0 |
Blocked Punt Returns: 1 for 5 yards (2004)
Advanced Fumble Recoveries: 1 for 8 yards (2005)
Interception Returns for TD: 1 (2002)
Interceptions Returns: 2 for 44 yards, long 34 (2002); 2 for 55 yards, long 55 (2003); 2 for 0 yards, long 0 (2004); 1 for 24 yards (2005)
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