Post-OSU Update: Vanness Provitt was not selected in the 2001 NFL Draft, but did spend time in camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2001. (updated: Apr. 2022)

Major: Sociology (2000)

Weight: 205 (2000), 200 (1999), 190 (1996-97)

2000 Media Guide: To say that the always reliable and hard-working Vanness Provitt has had an interesting four years at Ohio State would be an Olympic-caliber understatement. It started with a painful pelvic fracture and dislocated hip in the fall of 1998 that had him wondering if he’d ever walk again. After intense rehabilitation, he broke his ankle in the spring of 1999 and required another surgery. More rehab followed, and just when people were beginning to wonder if the all-state high school football player would ever play football again, Provitt emerged faster than he had ever been – dropping his 40-yard dash time from 4.6 to 4.4. “The injury he had was a really serious one, yet he came back in the spring and looked faster than he ever did,” Chuck Stobart, offensive coordinator, said, who described the whole ordeal as “mind-boggling.” Provitt enters his final season in perfect health and is listed as the second string split end on the depth chart. He’ll be a key part of Ohio State’s third down and long-yardage attack. “Vanness is a very steady performer. He’s very reliable and very accountable,” Tim Salem, receivers coach, said.

1999: Played in 11 games … made seven catches for 122 yards, the third-highest totals among wide receivers on the team … averaged 17.4 yards per catch … had a season-high two catches against Illinois and Michigan … longest catch of the year was a 41-yard touchdown grab against Iowa … played a season-high 19 minutes vs. Minnesota … played a total of 58 minutes, the third-highest figure among all wideouts on the roster.

1999 Media Guide: Vanness Provitt hasn’t been very lucky at Ohio State. Two injuries – a pelvic fracture during 1998 fall camp and a broken fibula during 1999 spring drills – have sidelined the athletic Provitt for much of last year and stunted what was appearing to be legitimate progress toward becoming a key receiver for Ohio State. Provitt has taken the injuries in stride, working hard at rehabilitation and enduring a great deal of pain. Buckeyes bring good luck, so hopefully the 1999 season will be a healthy one for the junior, who receivers coach Chuck Stobart still anticipates “a good year from this coming season.”

1998: Was behind David Boston at split end before a pelvic fracture during fall camp ended his season.

1997: Played in eight games for a total of 42 minutes. Caught six passes for 56 yards, including his first collegiate reception, a 7-yard gain vs. Wyoming. First multi-catch game came against Illinois (two for 17 yards) and his longest reception was 15 yards against Bowling Green.

1997 Media Guide: Redshirted last year as a freshman … expected to back up David Boston this year … battling for the third receiver spot when OSU goes to “trips” … has good speed and sure, soft hands … good target because of his size and leaping ability … impressive last fall and coming off a good spring … has a chance to contribute this year and will play a lot of football for OSU before his career is over.

1996: Redshirted.

High School: Attended Fork Union Military Academy for one year after graduating from Warren (Ohio) Harding High School … caught 37 passes for 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns at Fork Union … Caught 24 passes for 353 yards and 10 TDs as a senior at Harding and 84 passes for 1,123 yards and 25 TDs for his career … snagged three TDs, including a 68-yarder, during the annual Ohio-Pennsylvania Big 33 high school all-star game and was named the game MVP …  All-America selection by Max Emfinger’s National Bluechips Recruiting …was named first team all-state as a senior at Harding … rated the 15th best junior college/prep player in the country by The National Recruiting Advisor ..  was named the 11th best player in the Best of the Midwest by the Detroit Free Press after senior year … Three-year letterwinner in football and basketball and also lettered in baseball … Team captain and all-league in basketball … helped Harding to two league titles … high school coach was Phil Annerella.

Personal: Chose Ohio State because “they stuck with me through the entire recruiting process” … Has one brother und one sister … plans to major in business … was childhood friends with former Buckeye great Korey Stinger … full name is Vanness De-von Provitt.