In the annals of college football, few achievements shine as brightly as Archie Griffin’s unparalleled feat of winning two Heisman Trophies. His remarkable consecutive victories in 1974 and 1975 solidified his place as a legendary figure, but behind every great runner is a dominant offensive line, and instrumental to Griffin’s success was Ted Smith, Ohio State’s starting left guard. Smith, a consensus All-American in 1975, was the unsung hero, the powerful and dependable force who consistently opened holes and protected his star running back, allowing Griffin to rewrite the record books. His recent passing at the age of 71 on June 21, 2025, serves as a poignant reminder of his immense contribution to one of the most iconic eras in Ohio State football history.
Ted Smith’s journey to becoming an All-American offensive lineman was, in itself, a testament to his adaptability and the keen eye of legendary coach Woody Hayes. Smith initially arrived at Ohio State in 1972 as a promising linebacker, a position where he excelled in high school, earning All-Ohio and High School All-American honors. He reveled in the physicality of defense, enjoying the opportunity to hit people. However, ahead of his junior season in 1974, Hayes, known for his ability to identify talent and mold players to fit his system, approached Smith with a proposition: a switch to the offensive line.
As Smith himself recounted in a 2009 interview with the Toledo Blade, he was initially resistant to the idea. “I didn’t like the idea at all, at first,” he admitted. “I liked defense and hitting people.” But Hayes, with his characteristic conviction, assured Smith that his talents would be best utilized on the offensive line, where he could truly help the team. The transition was not smooth. “The first couple of days of practice were pretty miserable,” Smith recalled. “Woody was on my butt pretty bad because I didn’t really have much of an idea what I was doing over there.” Yet, with perseverance and Hayes’s relentless coaching, Smith slowly but surely mastered the position, proving that Woody Hayes “knew what he was doing.”
By the time the 1974 season rolled around, Ted Smith was entrenched as Ohio State’s starting left guard. This was a pivotal year, not just for Smith, but for the entire Buckeyes program and, of course, for Archie Griffin. Griffin, then a junior, was coming off a stellar sophomore season where he had already become the first Buckeye to rush for over 1,000 yards. But 1974 was different. It was the year he ascended to national prominence, culminating in his first Heisman Trophy. And for every yard Griffin gained, for every tackle he broke, there was often a key block, a crucial push, or a relentless surge from Ted Smith and the rest of the offensive line.
Smith’s role as left guard was particularly vital for Griffin. Running backs often favor cutting lanes on either side of the center, and Griffin frequently found success running off the left side, directly behind Smith. Smith’s ability to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage, seal off interior gaps, and then get to the second level to block linebackers was instrumental in creating the expansive running lanes that allowed Griffin to showcase his incredible vision, balance, and elusive running style. The offensive line’s cohesive effort, led by players like Smith, allowed Ohio State’s potent ground game to consistently wear down opponents, controlling the clock and dominating games.
In 1974, Griffin rushed for a career-best 1,620 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging a remarkable 6.86 yards per carry. Ohio State, under Hayes, finished the regular season with an impressive 10-1 record, capturing their third consecutive Big Ten title and earning a trip to the Rose Bowl. This consistent success was built on the foundation of a powerful running game, and Smith was a central figure in that dominance.
The 1975 season saw the unprecedented repeat of Archie Griffin’s Heisman triumph, and once again, Ted Smith was the starting left guard, playing a pivotal role in football history. Griffin rushed for another 1,357 yards, solidifying his place as the only two-time Heisman winner. The continuity of the offensive line, with Smith anchoring the left side, provided Griffin with the familiar protection and blocking schemes that allowed him to maintain his elite performance despite being the focal point of every opposing defense. Smith’s consistency, his understanding of assignments, and his sheer physical toughness were invaluable. “We used to just line up, knock people down, and then hand the ball to Archie Griffin,” Smith fondly recalled, emphasizing the simplicity and effectiveness of their approach.
Smith’s individual excellence was formally recognized in his senior year, as he earned consensus All-American honors in 1975. This was a fitting tribute to a player who had quietly, yet profoundly, contributed to two of the most celebrated seasons in Ohio State history. He was part of an elite offensive line that also featured other future NFL talents, creating a formidable unit that was the envy of college football. He was also named First Team All-Big Ten in his senior season, further cementing his status as one of the conference’s top linemen.
Beyond Griffin’s Heismans, Ted Smith’s career at Ohio State was marked by consistent team success. He was a part of four Rose Bowl teams during his collegiate career, a remarkable achievement that underscores the dominance of the Buckeyes during the Woody Hayes era in the 1970s. In an era before the BCS and College Football Playoff, the Rose Bowl appearance was the pinnacle of collegiate success, and Smith played a key role in ensuring Ohio State reached that stage year after year.
At 6-foot-1 and around 257 pounds, Smith was considered a decent size for an offensive lineman in his era, though he acknowledged that by today’s standards, he’d be considered small. Nevertheless, his technique, strength, and relentless effort compensated for any size differential. His legacy is not just tied to Archie Griffin’s Heismans, but also to the overall toughness and success of those Woody Hayes-led Ohio State teams.
After his illustrious collegiate career, Smith was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 1976 NFL Draft, although he did not appear in a regular-season game. He later embarked on a career in construction, eventually serving as a paving superintendent for Shelby County in western Ohio before retiring in 2007. Even after his playing days, Smith remained a “die-hard Ohio State Buckeyes football fan,” cheering passionately on game days and instilling that same love of the game in his family.
Ted Smith’s passing marks the loss of a significant figure in Ohio State football history. While Archie Griffin justly receives the lion’s share of the credit for his unprecedented Heisman triumphs, the quiet, powerful work of players like Ted Smith on the offensive line was absolutely essential. He was the foundation upon which those historic seasons were built, a true testament to the idea that in football, individual brilliance is often amplified by the collective strength of a selfless, dedicated team. His legacy will forever be intertwined with Griffin’s, a reminder that behind every dazzling run, there was a powerful block from a legendary lineman.
