Post-OSU Update: Austin Spitler was selected in the seventh round (252nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft. Spitler played 55 games across four seasons, all with the Miami Dolphins. He had 31 career tackles. After football, Spitler pursued a business career and is the co-owner of Yacht Lifters, Inc. in the Miami area. (updated: Jun. 2023)

Major: Communications (2006-09)

Weight: 234 (2008-09), 242 (2006-07), 228 (2005)

2009 Media Guide: Senior leader who finally inherits the starter’s role at middle linebacker … has the speed to play at any of the three linebacker spots if needed … strong, runs well and is a tough, physical player … has demonstrated a penchant for making plays.

2008: Worked behind All-American James Laurinaitis at MLB … 11 tackles for the season … suffered sprained knee vs. Troy and was out for several weeks … returned to play at Michigan State, recovering a fumbled Buckeye punt return … pair of tackles at Northwestern and in Michigan win … special
teams champion: Michigan State … Jack Tatum big hit: Michigan … special teams dog tags: Michigan State, Northwestern, Michigan.

2008 Media Guide: Heads into 2008 as the backup at middle linebacker to James Laurinaitis … strong, runs well and is a tough, physical player … has demonstrated a penchant for making plays.

2007:  Versatile linebacker who started on four special teams units … 26 tackles for the season … seven tackles and a sack (-12) in the win over Youngstown State … five tackles against Kent State … special units player of week: Wisconsin … Jack Tatum hit of week: Kent State … special teams dog tags: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan … Big Ten all-academic … second-year letterman.

2007 Media Guide: Has the speed to play at any of the three linebacker spots if needed… will continue to help out on the special teams.

2006:  Played in all 13 games … saw the majority of his time on the special teams … collected seven tackles, including career-high three in the win at Michigan State.

2006 Media Guide: Hopes to play his way into the mix at one of the three linebacker spots this year, probably at the mike … good young player who was redshirted last year … is coming off an impressive spring showing and appears ready to step up and contribute … is strong, runs well and is a tough, physical player … still learning but has demonstrated a penchant for making plays and should figure in the two-deep … only shortcoming right now is a lack of experience … will also help out on the special teams.

2005: Played with the scout team and impressed the coaches with his overall ability.

High School: Rated as the No. 2 linebacker and the No. 24 overall prospect in Ohio by Rivals.com … timed at 4.72 seconds in the 40-yard dash, bench presses 365 pounds and squats 500 pounds … 2004 first-team All-Ohio … at Ohio State’s camp in 2004 he bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times … as a senior totaled 132 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, seven quarterback sacks and two interceptions … was named the conference linebacker of the year … first-team all-conference as a junior and senior … collected 120 tackles as a junior … had a 3.3 GPA … is the first Buckeye from Bellbrook since Jim Borchers (1990, Kettering Alter) who is now a team doctor … played for Kevin Basinger.

Personal: Is the son of Greg and Dawn Spitler … has a younger sister, Blair … his father is an Ohio State graduate and his mother graduated from Marshall … enjoys water skiing and spending time around the water … has a pet dog named Champ … favorite music artist is Toby Keith … most interesting American from history is Albert Einstein.