Post-OSU Update: John Wooldridge suffered a major knee injury in the 1986 season opener. He went undrafted in 1987 and signed with the Cowboys after the draft, but did not make the team. He finished his degree at Ohio State and held several jobs before starting a business development and consulting company in 2009. (updated: Jan. 2024)

Major: Criminology (1985-86), Communications (1984), Criminal Justice (1982)

Weight: 191 (1986), 190 (1984-85), 192 (1983), 195 (1982)

1985: Ohio State’s leading rusher in 1985 with 820 yards and seven touchdowns … averaged 4.7 yards per carry … had three games over 100 yards … his thrilling 57-yard touchdown run against Iowa was Ohio State’s longest run of the year … caught 24 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns.

1985 Media Guide: An extremely gifted tailback who has played behind Keith Byars for two years … an explosive runner who hits the hole quickly and is dangerous in the open field … his low running style makes him especially effective … lifts 600 pounds and has a 32-1/2 inch vertical jump … runs the 40 in 4:42.

1984: Second on the team in rushing with 633 yards, despite not starting … averaged 5.9 yards per carry … caught nine passes for 120 yards.

1984 Media Guide: Runs the 40 in 4.52 … runs some plays better than any back on the team.

1983: Played in 11 games … averaged 5.2 yards per carry on 51 tries … scored two touchdowns, including a 32-yard run against Minnesota.

1982: Did not play.

1983 Media Guide: A talented runner who did not see any action in 1982 … has sufficient power to run inside … served notice he was a strong candidate to start at tailback in the Spring Game when he rushed for 142 yards on 25 carries, including a spectacular 32-yard run.

High School: Won all-Ohio honors at Central-Hower High, where he ran for over 1,500 yards and scored 22 touchdowns his senior year … scored 40 career touchdowns … had impressive figures as a punt and kickoff return specialist … captained his high school football and track teams.

Personal: From a family of six … enjoys all sports.