Post-OSU Update: Zach Boren did not play in a regular season NFL game after his Ohio State career. Boren went into the family business started by his father and has since elevated to president of Boren Brothers Waste Services. (updated: Oct. 2023)

Pronunciation: BOR-un

Major: Sport and Leisure Studies (2011-12)

Weight: 245 (2012), 252 (2010-11), 255 (2009)

2012 Media Guide: Three-year and 27-game starter Zach Boren hasn’t needed a statistical box for his career rushing stats entering his senior year because his rushing stats consisted of one rush for two yards (vs. Michigan in 2010) … expect him to have rushing stats to go along with his receiving statistics this season as Coach Urban Meyer’s Ohio State spread offense will be designed to get playmakers in space, and Boren has the skills – “he can run with and catch the football,” Meyer said in May – to be a playmaker. Although not having a carry in 2011, Zach was honored as the team’s Rex Kern Award winner as the team’s outstanding offensive back … that’s because he is selfless in fulfilling his role as a powerful blocking back and as an occasional pass catcher out of the backfield (six receptions for 60 yards in 2011 and 20 career receptions) … his blocking skills are consistently mentioned by Ohio State running backs after their big games, and in three years there have been 20 100-yard rushing efforts by Buckeyes with Zach helping lead the way … a starter from virtually the first day he stepped onto the practice field for Ohio State, Zach started five times (rotating with TEs and WRs) in 2009, 10 times in 2010 and 12 times last year … he was the recipient of the team’s Outstanding First-Year Offensive Player award in 2009.

2011 Media Guide: two-year returning starter at fullback … excellent contributor thus far in his career
… 18 career starts … tough with football smarts.

2010: Returning starter at fullback … 22-yard reception vs. Eastern Michigan … 15-yard catch and leaping run in Indiana win … 18-yard reception from Pryor in Purdue victory … Jim Parker lineman of week: Illinois … second-year letterman.

2010 Media Guide: True sophomore who is the returning starter at fullback … excellent contributor during his rookie campaign.

2009: Earned starting fullback assignment as true freshman and made five starts, including the season opener … 6-yard reception in win over Illinois … 8-yard catch from Terrelle Pryor at Indiana scored a touchdown against the Hoosiers … pair of receptions in win at Penn State … outstanding first-year offensive player award from Ohio State coaches … Top Ten Tenacious three times … scout team workhorse: Navy … Big Ten all-academic … first-year letterwinner.

High School: Linebacker who earned Ohio defensive player of the year honors … 192 tackles, 12 TFL, 8 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and an interception … also rushed for 640 yards, scoring 16 touchdowns … all-district, all-county, all-metro and all-state for Coach Jay Sharrett’s 13-1 OCC and regional champs … Super Prep Midwest Top 75 … OCC and district player of the year in baseball.

Personal: Son of Hope and Mike Boren … older brother Justin is a junior on the Buckeye offensive line … enrolled in January.