Rugby player at heart, Ebner has excelled at Ohio State

COLUMBUS, Ohio - When Hilliard Davidson High School won its first football state championship in 2006, Nate Ebner was on the field celebrating with his fellow classmates.

Had he been on the team, chances are Ebner would have been a key ingredient to the title run. Instead he chose another sport.

Rugby.

Yes, Ebner was - and still is - a star on the rugby field. He was a standout on the United States U19 and U20 national team, garnering MVP honors in the 2007 and 2008 Rugby World Cup. At age 17, Ebner became the youngest player ever to play in National 7's.

His father, Jeff, was a standout rugby player in the 70s for the Des Moines Rugby Club in Iowa before relocating to Ohio to run his family's business. In 2008, he died tragically when he stumbled upon thieves at the business and was murdered.

"I started playing when I was six or seven," Ebner said. "It's an amazing game."

That cold November night in 2006, though, conjured up memories of sadness.

"Kind of," Ebner said when asked if it was bittersweet. "Of course I wanted to be out there with my friends. But I also had a World Cup coming up in the spring that I needed to be healthy for. I had things I had to take care of."

Taking care of business has been at the top of Ebner's to-do list since he became a member of the Ohio State football team in 2009. A walk-on, he recorded seven tackles on special teams for the Big Ten and Rose Bowl champions. Ebner was a star on the scout team, earning player of the week accolades twice.

The feats would be stunning for any first-year walk-on. But Ebner's accomplishments were unfathomable. He never played in high school and literally walked on to the team from off the street and was inserted into special teams immediately.

"I just worked as hard as I could everyday and gave as much effort when I had the chance to do it," Ebner said. "I think Ohio State and all the payers embraced me with open arms. It was easy to become a part of the family."

The team-first mentality and being a part of a brotherhood rubbed off on Ebner, even though he's a rugby player at heart.

"Coach (Fickell) talks about how football is the greatest team sport ever," he said. "I used to think rugby was. I kind of understand where he's coming from now because so many people have so many roles and there's so many people involved. The best thing I like about football is the speed of the game. There is nothing like that in sports, the speed and the collisions."

Ebner has been a workhorse in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Tough, physical and determined are three words than describe the gritty Ebner.

Head coach Luke Fickell rewarded him with a scholarship prior to the season for his contributions to the program. Ebner said thank you in the form of three tackles Saturday against Akron.

"I'm excited about it," he said. "I think it went well. I'm just doing what we practiced and give as much effort as I can. It's the last go-round. I think it was a good start. We just have to continue getting better."

Saturday against Akron, Ebner will receive another honor. This time it is arguably the highest honor a Buckeye football player can achieve. Joe Bauserman, Andrew Sweat and Ebner will serve as game captains.

"It's extremely exciting, especially being a senior," Ebner said. "To lead the guys out there is a great opportunity. It's humbling and I'm proud to be a captain."

Season after season someone on the special teams unit emerges as the leader and ball hawk. All indications point to Ebner being that guy in 2011. The coverage units have struggled in recent seasons, prompting Dick Tressel, the running backs coach, to add special teams coordinator to his duties. In Week 1, Ohio State covered kickoffs and punts with relatively high success. New philosophies evolved in the offseason with Tressel being the point man.

"I think we really made an emphasis on effort and understanding that it's a one-play drive," Ebner said. "We have to win individual battles and guys really picked up on that in camp. A lot of focus and making sure guys really understand their job on that play. He (Tressel) helps guys know their role."

Aside from his on-field production, Ebner has also received attention for his neck roll - or cowboy collar. It is reminiscent of former NFL linebacker Bryan Cox. Ebner wears it to prevent injuries, but the team has poked fun at his expense.

"I feel it looks somewhat awesome," Ebner said while laughing, "but it's to protect my neck. I had some stingers in the spring and I'm trying to make that not be a reoccurring theme."

There are still months left in the season. But Ebner has thought about his future, and he knows it likely won't include football. He will cherish the moment and not let the season move by too quickly. He hears rugby calling, though, with the Olympics being the ultimate goal.

"That'd be amazing to be a part of," he said. "If that opportunity comes about and I could do that, I'd definitely be a part of that team. But a lot of things have to happen."

If he lives by his motto - Hard work can get you wherever you want to be in life - don't be surprised to see Ebner donning the stars and stripes.

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