Former Ohio State defensive end Mike Kudla died Sunday at the age of 34, according to an announcement made by Highland Local Schools.
Highland Local Schools Official Release on the Passing of Mike Kudla.
Our prayers are with his family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/T3EUtJnAc7
— Nicholas A. Kovach (@TheKovach) July 16, 2018
In his career, Kudla was a member of the 2002 Ohio State national championship team, winning two Big Ten championships in his collegiate career. He also is No. 14 in school history with 14.5 career sacks.
During his senior season, Kudla was Ohio State’s defensive MVP, recording 41 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks during the 2005 season. He also was named a member of the first-team All-Big Ten after the season.
In the final game of his collegiate career in the 2006 Fiesta Bowl between the Buckeyes and Notre Dame, the defensive lineman recorded a career-high three sacks and seven tackles against the Fighting Irish.
After his career with the Buckeyes and a short professional stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kudla became the owner of Core Plex, where he developed medical facilities around the country. He also had been helping the NFL in finding ways to develop protocols in preventing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
