A legendary return

Boston’s Buckeye legacy

David Boston’s name still echoes through Ohio Stadium. During his collegiate career (1996–1998), he set numerous receiving records: most receptions (191), receiving yards (2,855), and touchdowns (34) in his Buckeye tenure. Ohio State+1 His catches were legendary — including a game-winning score in the 1997 Rose Bowl with 19 seconds left. Ohio State+1

He left OSU early for the NFL — declared for the draft with one year of eligibility remaining Wikipedia — and went on to a pro career with the Cardinals, Dolphins, Chargers, and Buccaneers. His NFL years had highs and lows, but his impact at Ohio State never faded.

The reaction in Columbus and beyond

What role he might play

Adjusting to a new chapter

The symbolism of a homecoming

This hire isn’t just about coaching ability — it’s about heritage, identity, and the message OSU wants to send. With Boston back, the program emphasizes continuity, connection to its storied past, and a commitment to mentoring not just through playbooks, but through lived example.

For current players, Boston embodies what it means to be a Buckeye: fierce competitor, record-breaker, and someone who loved the scarlet-and-gray as a player before returning as a teacher.

What fans and rivals expect

A test ahead and a legacy in progress

Talent alone doesn’t guarantee success in coaching; relationships, work ethic, and vision matter. Boston’s first real test may come when the Buckeyes face a prime Big Ten matchup. Can he provide insight that changes a game? Can he command respect by example, not by name?

Yet even before stepping onto a field as a coach, Boston’s return has generated momentum, belief, and renewal. It’s rare that a single hire can shift narrative and reenergize a program. But in Columbus, fans believe this one will.