Cardale Jones reveals similarities between his national championship team, 2024 Ohio State

Former Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones noted some similarities between his 2014 team and the current Buckeyes squad.

That 2014 team won a national title behind Jones, who was the third string quarterback going into the season. He led the Buckeyes on a magical run with wins over Michigan (in relief) and starts against Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon all in championship atmospheres.

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But this 2024 team has more talent, per Jones. Still, he sees a lot of the ‘14 squad in the ‘24 version.

“Similarities, I think just the togetherness, I think just the selflessness is the biggest thing I’ve seen with this team,” Jones said on The Triple Option. “Jeremiah Smith, we’ve been talking about this guy, you know, all show and pretty much for the second half of this season so far, and they have so many other great players who could easily be star-caliber guys on other teams, but they play their roles. I mean, Carnell Tate, Emeka Egbuka, who could come back for his final year, like these guys could have 1,000, 1,200, 1,300 yards at other universities, but they’re here and they stay to ultimately achieve the goal.” 

Jones didn’t want to diminish the talent of his own team 10 years ago, but noted the 2024 team is historic.

“And I’ve been saying on record before the season started, this is, to me, the most talented team on paper Ohio State has ever had,” Jones said. “And they’re going to go down as one of the most talented teams in college football, period. Clearly, they got to put it all together to start to earn some of those accolades, and we’re seeing it when they do. No one, I don’t think, can really compete with these guys on a high level. 

“So I think when it comes to the selflessness and just that grit and that toughness, that’s the things I’ve seen from our 2014 team with this team. Unfortunately for my 2014 team and all these guys, but I think this team is a lot more talented, you know, and hopefully they get it done here next few weeks.”

Ohio State takes on Texas at the Cotton Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinals Friday night. The winner takes on Notre Dame or Penn State in the national championship game.