James Laurinaitis, a football legend whose journey from Wayzata High School led him to national prominence, will been inducted into the Wayzata High School Athletic Department Hall of Fame this Friday along with 11 other standout athletes and coaches.
The honor recognizes Laurinaitis’ standout high school career and his subsequent achievements at Ohio State and the NFL.
Laurinaitis, a 2005 graduate of Wayzata, played linebacker for the Trojans and quickly earned a reputation for his tenacity and leadership on the field. His talent caught the eye of Ohio State recruiters, where he would go on to become one of the most decorated players in Buckeye history, later playing in the NFL.
An Instagram Post of James with his family:
Looking Back on Wayzata Football
James Laurinaitis fondly recalls his time at Wayzata High School, reflecting on the strong bonds he built with teammates and the traditions that made his high school football experience memorable.
“I have such great memories of my time at Wayzata, the walk from the school to the field, the song In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins playing in the locker room,” Laurinaitis said in a recent interview. “The battles with Cretin Derham-Hall and Minnetonka stand out in my mind. For me it’s always about the relationships I forged, the meals on Thursday nights with my teammates, and the traditions.”
Laurinaitis was quick to thank his coaches from the time, “Matt Lombardi was instrumental in my learning of football, and Brad Anderson was so consistent, he set the standard for the program and took it to new heights.”
The Coaches were quick to return the praise. “James was the most prepared player that I’ve ever coached, he had a binder that he made of every play of every team we were going to play that he studied before we played them,” stated his former Head Coach Brad Anderson. “His preparation off and on the field set him apart from any other player I’ve ever coached. James had a smile on his face and he truly enjoyed competing.”
Defensive Coach Matt Lombardi had this to say, “James Laurinaitis obviously had unreal success in college and the Pros, but in 2004, he set the standard for an entire football program showing players how to prepare to be great! He is an unreal leader and a great man!”
Ohio State Accolades
At Ohio State, Laurinaitis’ career was marked by excellence. He was a three-time consensus All-American and won the prestigious Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2006 as the nation’s best defensive player. In 2007, he claimed the Butkus Award, given to the top linebacker in the country, and in 2008, he won the Lott Trophy, which recognizes defensive impact players.
Laurinaitis helped lead the Buckeyes to four Big Ten championships and two BCS National Championship appearances during his tenure, cementing his place as one of the greatest linebackers in school history.
“OSU was a dream come true. I didn’t really know how big Ohio State Football was. It goes all the way back to Woody Hayes, and I’m grateful for the coaches here, and the men around me that helped me develop,” stated Laurinaitis.
NFL Career
After an illustrious college career, Laurinaitis was drafted by the St. Louis Rams in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He quickly became a key figure on the Rams’ defense, leading the team in tackles for five consecutive seasons.
Laurinaitis spent seven seasons with the Rams and played briefly with the New Orleans Saints before announcing his retirement from the NFL in 2017. By the end of his professional career, he had recorded over 850 tackles, 16.5 sacks, and nine interceptions.
Broadcast Booth
Following his retirement, Laurinaitis transitioned to broadcasting, working as a college football analyst for FOX Sports and Big 10 Network. His deep understanding of the game and engaging personality made him a natural fit for the role.
“The NFL has a broadcast bootcamp, and I had some people notice me at the Big 10 Network, and they asked me to do some broadcasting. We did some studio shows, a radio show in Columbus that did really well,” James said reflecting on his time in media.
Coach Laurinaitis
Laurinaitis recently returned to Ohio State as a linebackers coach after working with Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame. In 2023, he joined the Buckeyes’ staff to mentor the next generation of players at his alma mater. “I have been blessed to part of two amazing programs,” he said.
Asked why he stopped working in broadcasting and transitioned to coaching, he stated, “At the end of the day I felt like I was too close to the game. I love that man in the arena quote from Teddy Roosevelt, and I wanted to be more hands on and found myself going home at night unsatisfied having given my opinions on the game.”
The Barber Family
Marion & Dom Barber were also part of the Wayzata Football program during the same era that James was. Marion was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, and later Dom would play at Houston, with Marcus Freeman. “I remember going to Gopher games with the Barber family, I am very grateful for the time we spent together,” Laurinaitis stated.
“You can get to the NFL from Wayzata.”
A Proud Trojan
Laurinaitis looks back at his upbringing in the area with great fondness, “Looking back, my childhood is full of amazing memories and opportunities—whether it was playing hockey and football, being at Kimberly Lane and Wayzata Central, sledding at the schools, growing up in Hamel, listening to the radio, or hanging out in Wayzata on Lake Minnetonka.”
James also reflects on the support he received from those around him, saying, “I’m blessed to have had the coaches, my father—rest in peace—and so many others who believed in me and supported me. I’m obviously a proud Trojan.”
Laurinaitis’ induction into Wayzata’s Hall of Fame serves as a full-circle moment for the hometown star, whose path from the high school fields of Wayzata to national football fame continues to inspire young athletes.
For more information on the Wayzata High School Athletics Hall of Fame including a schedule of events, and other recipients of the award, visit this link:
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