Coming out of Cerritos College, Jack Tucker was one of the most heavily recruited linebackers from the community college ranks. He decided to sign with Ohio State and play a role in their history of great linebackers.

But during his first season, he fractured his clavicle and was forced to miss the entire season. At the time of his injury, he was the team’s starting middle linebacker.

The next year brought a new coaching staff and Tucker was asked to move to fullback after several players went down with injuries. He spent most of his time on special teams the next two years and did not make the impact he expected to three years ago.

But, for Tucker and the rest of his Buckeye teammates, they have something that no one can take away from them. A National Championship.

Tucker, who saw time on special teams in the game, helped his team to a 31-24 double-overtime win over Miami in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl for the school’s first national title since 1968. For the year, Tucker recorded two tackles and fielded one kick off.

Tucker joins four other former Falcons to play on National Championship teams.

Most recently, Rico Smith started as a wide receiver on the 1990 Colorado team, while Darrin Bruce was a starting offensive guard on the 1987 Miami National Championship team.

The two other were Dennis Born and Dan Scott, who were members of the 1967 USC National Championship team.

The Falcons were also represented in three other post-season games this season. In the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, senior defensive end Demetrin Veal played his final collegiate game for the University Tennessee, as they dropped a 30-3 decision to Maryland, while junior quarterback Mike Harrison watched his Louisiana State team fall to Texas, 35-20, in the SBC Cotton Bowl.

Finally, linebacker Jason Lowe had to watch from the sidelines due to his season-ending injury, as Oregon State lost to Pittsburgh, 38-13, in the Insight Bowl.