The latest ESPN mock draft has the Minnesota Vikings selecting Ted Ginn Jr. from Ohio State with the 7th overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft. If this projection is true, here is what we will be getting:
Ginn is an early entry this year. He is 21 years old and is ranked by Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN as the second best receiver, after Calvin Johnson who won’t drop past pick #3, and is ranked #8 on Mel’s famous “Big Board.” Here is what Mel has to say about Ted Ginn Jr.: “Takes a backseat to no one in the speed department, brings a big-play dimension to the wide receiver position and also the return game.
Here is the Scouts Inc profile for Ginn:
| Ted Ginn Jr. WR | (6′0″, 180, 4.35) | OHIO STATE Scouts Grade: 96 Flags: (B: BULK/SIZE) Lacks size/bulk for position |
| Strengths: Possesses world-class speed. His initial burst is exceptional and very few defensive backs — if any — can keep pace with him in a sprint. He’s at his best on vertical routes that give him time to get over the top of defenders in coverage. He also does well on quick-hitting throws and reverses that tend to maximize his acceleration in space. He flashes the ability to snatch the ball while still running on shorter routes, such as quick slants and “jailbreak” screens. He also does an above-average job of tracking down the deep ball over his shoulder. He lacks ideal lateral quickness, but what tends to go unnoticed is his ability to change directions subtly while still accelerating. He has become more adept at reading coverages and making himself available as a “hot” receiver. He has shown far more awareness as a junior than in the past.
Weaknesses: Is undersized. Possesses adequate height but is lean. Needs to get stronger. Not overly physical. Has never been adept at making the tough catch in traffic, particularly over the middle. He will get jammed at the line of scrimmage too frequently. Occasionally he will also drop a “catchable” pass because he’s trying to get upfield without securing the ball first. While he’s explosive in the open-field (after the catch and in the return game), he lacks exceptional lateral mobility to make many ankle-breaking, stop-on-a-dime type moves. He can still be too choppy getting in and out of breaks. He gets going so quickly that it becomes very difficult for him to make a sharp cut on an intermediate route without gearing down too much. Overall: Ginn played in all 12 games with five starts as a true freshman in 2004 and had 25 receptions for 359 yards (14.4 average) and two touchdowns. In 2005, he started all 12 games and caught 51 passes for 803 yards (15.7 average) and four touchdowns. Over the course of the 2004 and 2005 seasons, Ginn also carried 25 times for 196 yards (7.8 average) and scored three touchdowns. Additionally, he has returned 40 punts for 634 yards (15.9 average) and five touchdowns and 20 kickoffs for 572 yards (28.6 average) and one more score.Ginn, a true junior, is expected to leave school early for the 2007 NFL draft but has yet to make his decision official. Ginn’s exceptional speed is his best asset. However, he must become stronger and more polished as a route runner in order to fit the mold as a true No. 1 receiver in the NFL. Otherwise, he may never be more than a speedy No. 2 receiver with return ability. With that in mind, Ginn grades out as a risky mid-first round pick. |
HISTORY
According to Wikipeida, Ginn played for his father, Ted Ginn Sr., in high school. Ginn Jr was selected as the 2004 USA Today Defensive Player of the Year and a 1997 Parade All-American. He was also named the 2004 SuperPrep National Defensive Player of the Year and the Most Valuable Player of the U.S. Army All-America game. He intercepted eight passes as a senior, returning five of them for touchdowns. One of his interception returns went for a state-record 102-yard touchdown, while another went for a 98-yard score. Ginn returned four punts and one kickoff for touchdowns.
As a junior, he became the national champion in the 110 high hurdles and recorded the best time in the nation as a senior when he won the state title for the second consecutive year. As a senior in High School, he ran 7.44 in the 55 meter high hurdles, 7.98 in the 60 meter high hurdles, 13.62 in the 110 meter high hurdles (-0.2 wind rating), 21.16 in the 200 meter dash (+0.0 wind rating), and 36.73 in the 300 meter intermediate hurdles. He has been timed at 10.5 seconds in the 100 meter dash and 4.06 seconds in the 40 yard dash.
Ted Ginn started his career at Ohio State as a freshman in 2004. Ginn excelled on special teams as a returner, where his four punt returns for touchdowns set a school and Big Ten single-season record and tied an NCAA record. Ginn also led the NCAA with 25.6 yards per punt return, which was an Ohio State single-season record as well. The most notable of the returns was the last one: an 82-yard dash against rival the University of Michigan. The return was noted as “one of the most spectacular runs in Ohio State history”, and broke the game open for the Buckeyes. Ginn also played offense as a freshman. His first major game was against Michigan State, where he took a punt for a score, but also scored one a 17-yard reverse run and a 58-yard reception. Ginn finished the season second on the team in receiving with 25 receptions for 359 yards. He followed up a solid freshman regular season with the bowl game against Oklahoma State. Ginn took snaps at quarterback in the bowl game, while the Buckeyes only had one other healthy quarterback.
Ginn started all 12 games his sophomore season of 2005. His 51 receptions was second to Santonio Holmes‘ 53. Ginn also topped the team in all-purpose yards with 139 per game, while he averaged 10 yards per punt return. Ginn totaled four touchdown receptions, but also had three return touchdowns, one being a 100-yard kick return against the University of Minnesota. Ginn carried the ball 12 times and averaged 6.9 yards per carry, while his 68-yard touchdown run in the Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame was the longest run from scrimmage for the Buckeyes all year. Ginn’s 532 yards in kick returns is the second highest season total in Buckeye history. Ginn also caught nine passes in arguably the Buckeyes biggest win of the season, against Michigan, where he caught three on the final drive.
Ginn’s final season as a Buckeye, his 2006 junior year, was when Ginn was in contention for various awards, such as the Biletnikoff Award and the Heisman Trophy. Although Ginn didn’t win either award (fellow Buckeye Troy Smith won the Heisman), he did put up amazing numbers. He totaled his 2nd best receiving totals with 781 yards and his personal best 9 touchdowns. Ginn went over a hundred yards receiving in three games (Northern Illinois University, 123 ; Bowling Green University, 122 ; Michigan, 104). Ginn was a critical part in the Buckeyes 42-39 win over Michigan, with 122 yards and a score. Ginn didn’t score on returns until the Buckeyes bowl game. The Buckeyes played the Florida Gators in the National Championship Game, undefeated going into the game. On the first play of the game, Ginn took the kick back 93-yards to give the Buckeyes a 7-0 lead. Unfortunately, Ginn sprained his foot when he was accidentally tackled from behind by a teammate during the celebration, and missed the rest of the game.
Ginn declared to leave early from Ohio State for the 2007 NFL Draft. Ginn is expected to be a first round pick, due to his blazing speed and special teams play.
Statistics 
Receiving
| Year | Games | Recs | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 12 | 25 | 359 | 14.4 | 59 | 2 |
| 2005 | 12 | 51 | 803 | 15.7 | 73 | 4 |
| 2006 | 11 | 51 | 677 | 13.3 | 58 | 8 |
| Total | 33 | 127 | 1,839 | 14.5 | 73 | 14 |
Rushing
| Year | Rushes | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 13 | 113 | 8.7 | 28 | 2 |
| 2005 | 12 | 83 | 6.9 | 68 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 | 17 | 5.7 | 16 | 0 |
| Total | 28 | 213 | 7.6 | 68 | 3 |
Punt Returns
| Year | Att | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 15 | 384 | 25.6 | 82 | 4 |
| 2005 | 25 | 250 | 10 | 62 | 1 |
| 2006 | 22 | 266 | 12.1 | 60 | 1 |
| Total | 62 | 900 | 14.5 | 82 | 6 |
Kick Returns
| Year | Att | Yards | Average | Long | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 | 40 | 20.0 | 23 | 0 |
| 2005 | 18 | 352 | 29.6 | 100 | 1 |
| 2006 | 13 | 335 | 25.8 | 93 | 1 |
| Total | 32 | 814 | 25.4 | 100 | 2 |
- Ginn played quarterback, wide receiver, running back, and defensive back for Glenville. He also returned kicks and punts.
- Ginn was the #1 ranked defensive back prospect in the nation, coming out of high school.
- Ginn holds the Big Ten Conference record for most career punt returns for a touchdown at 6.
- OSU track coach Russ Rogers recruited Ginn to run track, believing that he could qualify for the 2008 Olympics.
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