Justin Boren
Encyclopedia
Justin Matthew Boren is an American football
offensive guard for the Baltimore Ravens
of the National Football League
. He was signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He has played guard
and center
during his high school
and college football
career. He most recently played for the Ohio State Buckeyes football
team after transferring from the Michigan Wolverines football
team and sitting out the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
. He is the son of 1982
and 1983 Wolverines
tackles
leader, Mike Boren
, and brother of teammate Zach Boren. In 2009, he became the third player (following Howard Yerges
and J. T. White
) to play for both sides of the Michigan – Ohio State rivalry.
In high school, he was widely regarded as one of the top offensive linemen in the country and one of the top football prospects in the state of Ohio. He was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl
and was a Parade
All-American and an Associated Press
All-Ohio selection. He was widely recruited by the nation's top schools including both his father's alma mater, University of Michigan
and its archrival The Ohio State University, which was located near where he grew up.
Boren matriculated at Michigan. He played in several games as a true freshman and started one. As a sophomore, he became a regular starter, earning 2007 All-Big Ten Conference
honorable mention. When head coach
Lloyd Carr
retired and was replaced by Rich Rodriguez
, Boren was unhappy and transferred to Ohio State. He earned recognition as a selection to the 2009
and 2010 All-Big Ten
team by both the coaches (second-team) and the media (first-team). He was a 2010 College Football All-America Team second team selection by several selectors.
before transferring to Pickerington High School North
the following year. As a high school sophomore, Boren played guard and was an honors student
. During his high school years, his father was his harshest critic. As a junior he was listed as a nose guard on defense and an offensive tackle. That season, he earned Division I Associated Press
All-Ohio High School Football Team special mention. By the time he was a junior, he was being recruited by both Ohio State, the local school, and Michigan, where his father played. As a senior who bench press
ed 450 lbs and squat
ted 660 lbs, he was regarded as Central Ohio's most sought after high school football recruit. As a result, he was selected to participate as one of 78 players in the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl
where he started at left offensive guard for the East team. He was also selected to the Associated Press first-team Division I All-Central District and All-Ohio high school football teams as an offensive lineman. After committing to Michigan, he enrolled in classes at the University of Michigan
in January of what would have been the end of his senior year in high school along with roommate Carlos Brown
. Of all the football prospects from the state of Ohio, Boren was the only one that Ohio State was not able to lure.
had been the first at Michigan in 2005. As a freshman during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season for the 2006 Michigan Wolverines
, Boren was injured during training camp, and he did not dress in the season opener. He had suffered a broken leg. Despite being injured through the entire month of September, Boren decided not to redshirt
and debuted during the Paul Bunyan Trophy
rivalry game against Michigan State
on October 7. Two weeks later, when Rueben Riley
got injured against the Iowa Hawkeyes
, he played the entire second half. On October 28, with Riley still injured, he became only the fourth true freshman to start on the Michigan offensive line in the modern era during a victory against Northwestern
. The following week against Ball State
, Boren saw action after Jake Long
got kicked in the helmet
. Boren's final action of the season came against the Indiana Hoosiers
on November 11. During the 2006 season, all of his appearances were at guard. During 2007 Rose Bowl
practices at the end of the 2006 season, Boren had practiced exclusively at center.
Boren had been recruited as either a center or a guard, but he preferred to play guard. In spring practice the following year, Boren was moved to center. At the end of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
-sanctioned 15 days of spring football practice, he was announced as the starting center, replacing Mark Bihl. This decision was confirmed when training camp started in the fall, even though Boren had never before played center. Thus, the starting offensive line was composed of veterans Long and Adam Kraus
on the left and then Boren, right guard Jeremy Ciulla and right tackle Stephen Schilling
neither of whom had ever started a game. The 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season
was eagerly anticipated for the 2007 Wolverines
with returning seniors Long, Mike Hart and Chad Henne
in key roles, but the season quickly began to fall apart when the team lost to the two-time defending FCS champion Appalachian State Mountaineers
in the opening game
. When Ryan Mallett
played in place of Henne during the September 15 Notre Dame
rivalry game, left-handed snapper
Boren switched positions with right-handed snapper Kraus who otherwise played left guard. The switch occurred after Mallett fumble
d two snaps from Boren, whose left-handed snaps were foreign to the right-handed Mallett. The switch caused a little confusion with official starting lineups the following week when Mallett started. On September 22 against Penn State
, both Boren and Kraus had casts
on their snapping hands and Boren played center despite the fact that Mallett was starting. During Mallett's October 27 start in the Little Brown Jug game
against Minnesota
, Kraus started at center. The following week during the Paul Bunyan Trophy against Michigan State
, the position switch was made permanent. After the regular season, Boren was recognized as an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. Prior to the 2008 Capital One Bowl
, Boren was expected to return to center because Henne had returned to full strength. However, during the game, Boren played guard and Kraus played center. After the season, both Boren and Kraus were named to Jewish Sports Review's 2007 College Football All-America Team.
After the season, head coach
Lloyd Carr
was replaced by Rich Rodriguez
. Rodriguez' no huddle spread option offense
, which used zone blocking, was a major adjustment for Boren. By the tenth day of spring practice Boren had left the team. Boren made a statement to the press regarding his decision, which included the following excerpt: "Michigan football was a family, built on mutual respect and support for each other from (former) Coach (Lloyd) Carr on down. We knew it took the entire family, a team effort, and we all worked together. . I have great trouble accepting that those family values have eroded in just a few months. . .That I am unable to perform under these circumstances at the level I expect of myself, and my teammates and Michigan fans deserve, is why I have made the decision to leave." A month later, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel
announced Boren would redshirt
for the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
and become the first player to transfer from Michigan to play for arch rival Ohio State since at least World War II
. According to Section 14.5.2.B of the Rules of Eligibility in the Big Ten handbook, Boren is ineligible to be a scholarship athlete after transferring. A little more than a week after Justin announced his transfer, his younger brother Zach committed to Ohio State. Later that summer, Detroit Free Press
writer Michael Rosenberg, backed up Boren's statement about family values: "Rodriguez's staff uses some of the foulest, most degrading language imaginable. I know coaches curse, and I'm no prude, but this goes way beyond a few dirty words. He belittles his players. This is a big part of why offensive lineman Justin Boren left the team. He felt his dignity was at stake."
, he shaved lightning bolts into his head. While redshirtting, he stood out in practice where he performed on the scout team. In fact, during the week leading up to the final regular season game against Michigan, he wore the Winged Football Helmet
that Michigan is known for as part of the scout team. The 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
included three seniors on the offensive line: Boone, Steve Rehring and Ben Person.
A total of 28 seniors graduated from the football team leaving the 2009 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
with five returning starters on offense for the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season
. However, the team had the number one recruiting class in the nation according to the Chicago Sun-Times
. Both Scout.com
and Rivals.com
agreed with this number one ranking prior to the final signing period and although the offensive line had been the team's problem in 2008, the highly touted class included three tackles and a guard plus transfer Boren.
In the spring of 2009, Hope Boren spoke at signing day about her two sons prospects for at Ohio State: "As a parent, you always try to raise kids who are happy and successful . . . And I know my kids are happy and I think they'll be successful." Zach Boren said, "Everyone in the whole family is an Ohio State fan now. . .No one cares about Michigan at all anymore. That was in the past and we're all looking forward to being Buckeyes and staying Buckeyes for the rest of our lives." During spring practice, Boren impressed his coaches and teammates; however, he refused all interview requests. During the summer, when asked about the impending Michigan - Ohio State game he said "My attitude is there are 11 games before that game,. . .I can't let myself get worked up thinking about that game. I don't want to take a chance of being unprepared for any of the first 11 games. The week that game gets here, it will be my primary focus." By then, he was projected to be the starting left guard, and he was expected to be an important part of the team.
Prior to the 2009 season, Boren suffered a knee injury. The injury was not severe because of the knee brace that he was wearing. He recovered in time to be in the starting lineup at left guard along with his younger brother who started at fullback
for the September 5 season opener against Navy
. The media portrayed Boren as a nasty and intense player, which Boren downplayed. Early in the season, the offensive line struggled. But as the season progressed guards Boren and Bryant Browning
teamed up with second-year linemen Michael Brewster
, J.B. Shugarts and Mike Adams
to form a unit that worked effectively. Boren missed the October 31 non-conference game against New Mexico State
due to an unspecified foot injury. When he returned to Michigan Stadium
for the season finale, Michigan defensive end
Brandon Graham
was very vocal about Boren's departure. At the conclusion of the 2009 Big Ten season, he was named to the All-Big Ten Conference team by both the coaches (second-team) and the media (first-team). The following 2010 season, he repeated as a first team media and second team coaches All-Big Ten Conference selection. He was named as a second team All-American selection by Associated Press
, CBS Sports
, Rivals.com
and Scout.com
.
with a total of 28 repetitions. He ranked eleventh in the three cone drill with a time of 7.57. Following the draft and the 2011 NFL lockout
, Boren was regarded as one of the best available free agents.
on July 26, 2011. Boren's former University of Michigan offensive line coach Andy Moeller was a coach with Baltimore at the time of his signing. He was waived by the team on September 3, 2011, but he was signed to the practice squad on September 5.
there from 1979–82. Boren attended 2005 Michigan Summer Football Camp. Mike led the Wolverines in tackles
in 1982 and 1983. Justin's youngest brother, Jacoby, was a sophomore at Pickerington Central High School in 2009. By December 2010, Jacoby had committed to Ohio State.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
offensive guard for the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was signed by the Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He has played guard
Guard (American football)
In American and Canadian football, a guard is a player that lines up between the center and the tackles on the offensive line of a football team....
and center
Center (American football)
Center is a position in American football and Canadian football . The center is the innermost lineman of the offensive line on a football team's offense...
during his high school
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
and college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
career. He most recently played for the Ohio State Buckeyes football
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
team after transferring from the Michigan Wolverines football
Michigan Wolverines football
The Michigan Wolverines football program represents the University of Michigan in college football at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level. Michigan has the most all-time wins and the highest winning percentage in college football history...
team and sitting out the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 28, 2008, progressing through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 8, 2009, where the #2...
. He is the son of 1982
1982 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1982 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1982 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
and 1983 Wolverines
1983 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1983 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1983 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
leader, Mike Boren
Mike Boren
Mike Boren is a former American football linebacker who played for the Michigan Wolverines from 1980 to 1983.-University of Michigan:Boren grew up in Columbus, Ohio where he attended Independence High School...
, and brother of teammate Zach Boren. In 2009, he became the third player (following Howard Yerges
Howard Yerges
Howard Frederick Yerges, Jr. was an American football player who played quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team in 1943 and the University of Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1944 to 1947...
and J. T. White
J. T. White
John T. "J.T." White was a college football assistant coach, and a second-team 1947 College Football All-American center who played for national championship teams at both the University of Michigan and Ohio State University. White also played basketball for the Ohio State Buckeyes men's...
) to play for both sides of the Michigan – Ohio State rivalry.
In high school, he was widely regarded as one of the top offensive linemen in the country and one of the top football prospects in the state of Ohio. He was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl
U.S. Army All-American Bowl
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a high school football all-star game held in early January in San Antonio, Texas. Currently played in the Alamodome, the game brings 90 of the nation's top high school football players in an East versus West matchup. In addition to the Bowl game, there is the U.S...
and was a Parade
Parade (magazine)
Parade is an American nationwide Sunday newspaper magazine, distributed in more than 500 newspapers in the United States. It was founded in 1941 and is owned by Advance Publications. The most widely read magazine in the U.S., Parade has a circulation of 32.2 million and a readership of nearly 70...
All-American and an Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
All-Ohio selection. He was widely recruited by the nation's top schools including both his father's alma mater, University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and its archrival The Ohio State University, which was located near where he grew up.
Boren matriculated at Michigan. He played in several games as a true freshman and started one. As a sophomore, he became a regular starter, earning 2007 All-Big Ten Conference
2007 Big Ten Conference football season
The 2007 season was the Big Ten Conference's 112th overall. For the second straight year, Ohio State won the conference title and advanced to the national championship game.-Bowl games:-Offense:-Statistical leaders:-Awards:Bednarik Award...
honorable mention. When head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Lloyd Carr
Lloyd Carr
Lloyd H. Carr is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Michigan from 1995 through the 2007 season. Under Carr, the Wolverines compiled a record of 122–40 and won or shared five Big Ten Conference titles...
retired and was replaced by Rich Rodriguez
Rich Rodriguez
Richard A. "Rich" Rodriguez is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arizona. Rodriguez previously served as the head football coach at Salem University , Glenville State College , West Virginia University , and the University...
, Boren was unhappy and transferred to Ohio State. He earned recognition as a selection to the 2009
2009 Big Ten Conference football season
The 2009 Big Ten Conference football season was the 114th for the conference, and saw Ohio State conclude the regular season as Big Ten Conference champion for the 5th consecutive time, their 34th Big Ten title. This earned them the conference's automatic selection to a Bowl Championship Series...
and 2010 All-Big Ten
2010 Big Ten Conference football season
The 2010 Big Ten Conference football season was the 115th season for the Big Ten. The conference started its season on Thursday, September 2, as conference member Minnesota traveled to Murfreesboro, Tennessee to face Middle Tennessee, and Ohio State hosted the Thundering Herd of Marshall...
team by both the coaches (second-team) and the media (first-team). He was a 2010 College Football All-America Team second team selection by several selectors.
High school
A native, Boren was a freshman starter at Pickerington High School CentralPickerington High School Central
Pickerington High School Central is a public high school in Pickerington, Ohio. It is one of two high schools in the Pickerington Local Schools district. Their nickname is the Tigers. Prior to the opening of Pickerington High School North, it was known simply as "Pickerington High School"....
before transferring to Pickerington High School North
Pickerington High School North
Pickerington High School North is a public high school in Pickerington, Ohio. It is one of two high schools in the Pickerington Local School District, the other school being Pickerington High School Central. The school's mascot is the Panther and its teams take the name "Panthers". The levy for...
the following year. As a high school sophomore, Boren played guard and was an honors student
Honors student
An honors student is a person recognized for achieving high grades or high marks in their course work.Honors students may refer to# Students recognized for their academic achievement on lists published periodically throughout the school year, known as honor rolls, varying from school to school, and...
. During his high school years, his father was his harshest critic. As a junior he was listed as a nose guard on defense and an offensive tackle. That season, he earned Division I Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
All-Ohio High School Football Team special mention. By the time he was a junior, he was being recruited by both Ohio State, the local school, and Michigan, where his father played. As a senior who bench press
Bench press
The bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight...
ed 450 lbs and squat
Squat (exercise)
In strength training, the squat is a compound, full body exercise that trains primarily the muscles of the thighs, hips and buttocks, quads , hamstrings, as well as strengthening the bones, ligaments and insertion of the tendons throughout the lower body...
ted 660 lbs, he was regarded as Central Ohio's most sought after high school football recruit. As a result, he was selected to participate as one of 78 players in the 2006 U.S. Army All-American Bowl
U.S. Army All-American Bowl
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a high school football all-star game held in early January in San Antonio, Texas. Currently played in the Alamodome, the game brings 90 of the nation's top high school football players in an East versus West matchup. In addition to the Bowl game, there is the U.S...
where he started at left offensive guard for the East team. He was also selected to the Associated Press first-team Division I All-Central District and All-Ohio high school football teams as an offensive lineman. After committing to Michigan, he enrolled in classes at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in January of what would have been the end of his senior year in high school along with roommate Carlos Brown
Carlos Brown (American football)
-Freshman year:Brown played in 7 games as a freshman in 2006 and earned his first varsity letter. In limited action, Brown carried 16 times for 41 yards.-Sophomore year:...
. Of all the football prospects from the state of Ohio, Boren was the only one that Ohio State was not able to lure.
College career
Michigan
Having enrolled in January 2006, Boren (and roommate Brown) were available to participate in 2006 Spring Football. Both players participated in spring practice, which was part of a national trend of more high schoolers enrolling early. Although early enrollment had been occurring for several years, Kevin GradyKevin Grady
-College career:Although football players had been enrolling early at Bowl Championship Series programs for several years, Grady was the first University of Michigan football player to do so. In subsequent years several other players followed his lead, including Justin Boren and Carlos Brown the...
had been the first at Michigan in 2005. As a freshman during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season for the 2006 Michigan Wolverines
2006 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2006 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2006 college football season. The team's head football coach was Lloyd Carr. The Wolverines came into the season with lower expectations than many Michigan teams of the previous few seasons, ranked #14...
, Boren was injured during training camp, and he did not dress in the season opener. He had suffered a broken leg. Despite being injured through the entire month of September, Boren decided not to redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
and debuted during the Paul Bunyan Trophy
Paul Bunyan Trophy
The Paul Bunyan–Governor of Michigan Trophy is a college rivalry trophy awarded to the winner of the annual American football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Michigan Wolverines. The winner retains possession of the trophy until the next year's game...
rivalry game against Michigan State
2006 Michigan State Spartans football team
The 2006 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football during the 2006 season. Michigan State competed as a member of the Big Ten Conference, and played their home games...
on October 7. Two weeks later, when Rueben Riley
Rueben Riley
Rueben Joseph Riley, Jr. is an American football offensive tackle who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
got injured against the Iowa Hawkeyes
2006 Iowa Hawkeyes football team
The 2006 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2006 college football season. The Hawkeyes played their home games at Kinnick Stadium and were coached by Kirk Ferentz...
, he played the entire second half. On October 28, with Riley still injured, he became only the fourth true freshman to start on the Michigan offensive line in the modern era during a victory against Northwestern
2006 Northwestern Wildcats football team
The 2006 Northwestern Wildcats football team represented Northwestern University in the Big Ten Conference during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Head coach Randy Walker died unexpectedly on June 29, 2006 of an apparent heart attack at the age of 52...
. The following week against Ball State
Ball State Cardinals football
The Ball State Cardinals football team represents Ball State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football competition as a member of the Mid-American Conference .-Recent history:...
, Boren saw action after Jake Long
Jake Long
Jake Edward Long is an American football offensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Dolphins first overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan...
got kicked in the helmet
Football helmet
A football helmet is a protective device used primarily in American football and Canadian football. It consists of a hard plastic top with thick padding on the inside, a face mask made of one or more plastic bars, and a chinstrap. Some players add polycarbonate visors to their helmets, which are...
. Boren's final action of the season came against the Indiana Hoosiers
2006 Indiana Hoosiers football team
The 2006 Indiana Hoosiers football team represented Indiana University during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Hoosiers were coached by Terry Hoeppner, who was in his final season as head coach before he died of brain cancer in mid-2007. The Hoosiers played their home games in...
on November 11. During the 2006 season, all of his appearances were at guard. During 2007 Rose Bowl
2007 Rose Bowl
The 2007 Rose Bowl Game presented by Citi was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 2007 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. It was the 93rd Rose Bowl Game and part of the 2006-2007 Bowl Championship Series at the conclusion of the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
practices at the end of the 2006 season, Boren had practiced exclusively at center.
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
-sanctioned 15 days of spring football practice, he was announced as the starting center, replacing Mark Bihl. This decision was confirmed when training camp started in the fall, even though Boren had never before played center. Thus, the starting offensive line was composed of veterans Long and Adam Kraus
Adam Kraus
Adam Michael Kraus is an American football guard who is currently a free agent.-Collegiate career:At Michigan, Kraus was a four-year letterman who appeared in 39 career games, making 35 starts along the offensive line. Adam started 26 straight games to finish his career, 21 at left guard and the...
on the left and then Boren, right guard Jeremy Ciulla and right tackle Stephen Schilling
Stephen Schilling
Stephen Dana Schilling is an American football offensive guard for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was included on the 2009 preseason watchlist for the Lombardi Award...
neither of whom had ever started a game. The 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season
2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 30, 2007, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 7, 2008, where the top...
was eagerly anticipated for the 2007 Wolverines
2007 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2007 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2007 college football season. This was Lloyd Carr's final season as Michigan head coach. The 2007 season began with a stunning loss to Appalachian State, but the Wolverines won eight straight games after...
with returning seniors Long, Mike Hart and Chad Henne
Chad Henne
Chad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
in key roles, but the season quickly began to fall apart when the team lost to the two-time defending FCS champion Appalachian State Mountaineers
2007 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team
The 2007 Appalachian State Mountaineers football team represented Appalachian State University in the college football season of 2007–2008. The team was coached by Jerry Moore and the Mountaineers played their home games at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina.The football team competes in...
in the opening game
2007 Appalachian State vs. Michigan football game
The 2007 Appalachian State-Michigan game was a college football game held on September 1 at Michigan Stadium on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It pitted the #5 ranked Michigan Wolverines against the two-time defending champions of the Division I FCS, the...
. When Ryan Mallett
Ryan Mallett
Ryan Mallett , nicknamed "Big Tex", is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League , taken in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks...
played in place of Henne during the September 15 Notre Dame
2007 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
The 2007 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was the college football team that represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2007 NCAA Division I-A football season. The team was coached by Charlie Weis in his third year as head coach, and played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre...
rivalry game, left-handed snapper
Snap (football)
A snap starts each American football and Canadian football play from scrimmage.-Action:...
Boren switched positions with right-handed snapper Kraus who otherwise played left guard. The switch occurred after Mallett fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
d two snaps from Boren, whose left-handed snaps were foreign to the right-handed Mallett. The switch caused a little confusion with official starting lineups the following week when Mallett started. On September 22 against Penn State
2007 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
The 2007 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2007 college football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania....
, both Boren and Kraus had casts
Orthopedic cast
An orthopedic cast, body cast or surgical cast, is a shell, frequently made from plaster, encasing a limb to hold a broken bone in place until healing is confirmed...
on their snapping hands and Boren played center despite the fact that Mallett was starting. During Mallett's October 27 start in the Little Brown Jug game
Little Brown Jug (football)
The Little Brown Jug is an earthenware jug that serves as a trophy awarded to the winner of the American college football rivalry game played annually by the Minnesota Golden Gophers football team of the university of Minnesota and the Michigan Wolverines football team of the University of Michigan...
against Minnesota
2007 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team
The 2007 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team was the first for new head coach Tim Brewster. They began play on September 1, 2007 at home against Bowling Green and finished the season with a record of 1 win and 11 losses.-Preseason:...
, Kraus started at center. The following week during the Paul Bunyan Trophy against Michigan State
2007 Michigan State Spartans football team
The 2007 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 2007–2008 college football season. Mark Dantonio began his first season as the Spartans' head coach. The Spartans play their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.-Schedule:-2008 NFL...
, the position switch was made permanent. After the regular season, Boren was recognized as an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection. Prior to the 2008 Capital One Bowl
2008 Capital One Bowl
The 2008 Capital One Bowl was held on January 1, 2008 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The game featured the University of Michigan Wolverines—who finished the 2007 season tied for second in the Big Ten Conference with an overall record of 8–4 —and the #12 University of...
, Boren was expected to return to center because Henne had returned to full strength. However, during the game, Boren played guard and Kraus played center. After the season, both Boren and Kraus were named to Jewish Sports Review's 2007 College Football All-America Team.
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
Lloyd Carr
Lloyd Carr
Lloyd H. Carr is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at the University of Michigan from 1995 through the 2007 season. Under Carr, the Wolverines compiled a record of 122–40 and won or shared five Big Ten Conference titles...
was replaced by Rich Rodriguez
Rich Rodriguez
Richard A. "Rich" Rodriguez is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Arizona. Rodriguez previously served as the head football coach at Salem University , Glenville State College , West Virginia University , and the University...
. Rodriguez' no huddle spread option offense
Option offense
The option offense is a generic term that is used to describe a wide variety of offensive systems in American football. Option offenses are characterized as such due to the predominance of option running plays employed in these schemes. Option offenses have traditionally relied heavily upon running...
, which used zone blocking, was a major adjustment for Boren. By the tenth day of spring practice Boren had left the team. Boren made a statement to the press regarding his decision, which included the following excerpt: "Michigan football was a family, built on mutual respect and support for each other from (former) Coach (Lloyd) Carr on down. We knew it took the entire family, a team effort, and we all worked together. . I have great trouble accepting that those family values have eroded in just a few months. . .That I am unable to perform under these circumstances at the level I expect of myself, and my teammates and Michigan fans deserve, is why I have made the decision to leave." A month later, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel
Jim Tressel
James Patrick Tressel is a gameday consultant for the Indianapolis Colts, and former collegiate football head coach at both The Ohio State University from 2001 to 2011 and at Youngstown State University from 1986 to 2000. Tressel is most notable for his time at Ohio State. He was hired by the...
announced Boren would redshirt
Redshirt (college sports)
Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility...
for the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 28, 2008, progressing through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Miami Gardens, Florida on January 8, 2009, where the #2...
and become the first player to transfer from Michigan to play for arch rival Ohio State since at least World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. According to Section 14.5.2.B of the Rules of Eligibility in the Big Ten handbook, Boren is ineligible to be a scholarship athlete after transferring. A little more than a week after Justin announced his transfer, his younger brother Zach committed to Ohio State. Later that summer, Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
writer Michael Rosenberg, backed up Boren's statement about family values: "Rodriguez's staff uses some of the foulest, most degrading language imaginable. I know coaches curse, and I'm no prude, but this goes way beyond a few dirty words. He belittles his players. This is a big part of why offensive lineman Justin Boren left the team. He felt his dignity was at stake."
Ohio State
When Boren arrived at Ohio State at 6 in 3 in (1.91 m) and 310 lbs, he was one of the smallest offensive linemen on the team. During his redshirt season, he wore the number 56. In order to bond with his new teammates such as Alex BooneAlex Boone
Alex Boone is an offensive tackle for the San Francisco 49ers. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes. A four-year starter for the Buckeyes , Boone was a two-time All Big Ten selection...
, he shaved lightning bolts into his head. While redshirtting, he stood out in practice where he performed on the scout team. In fact, during the week leading up to the final regular season game against Michigan, he wore the Winged Football Helmet
Winged Football Helmet
The winged football helmet is a helmet bearing a distinctive two-toned painted design that typically has sharp outward curves over the forehead forming a wing. It is worn most popularly by the University of Michigan Wolverines.-History:...
that Michigan is known for as part of the scout team. The 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes football team competed in football on behalf of the Ohio State University during the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Buckeyes were coached by Jim Tressel and played their home games in Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio...
included three seniors on the offensive line: Boone, Steve Rehring and Ben Person.
A total of 28 seniors graduated from the football team leaving the 2009 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
2009 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 2009 Ohio State Buckeyes football team competed in football on behalf of The Ohio State University for the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Buckeyes were coached by Jim Tressel and played their home games in Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. They finished with a record of 11–2 and...
with five returning starters on offense for the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season
2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on September 2, 2009, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Pasadena, California on January 7, 2010, featuring the...
. However, the team had the number one recruiting class in the nation according to the Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
. Both Scout.com
Scout.com
Scout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
and Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
agreed with this number one ranking prior to the final signing period and although the offensive line had been the team's problem in 2008, the highly touted class included three tackles and a guard plus transfer Boren.
In the spring of 2009, Hope Boren spoke at signing day about her two sons prospects for at Ohio State: "As a parent, you always try to raise kids who are happy and successful . . . And I know my kids are happy and I think they'll be successful." Zach Boren said, "Everyone in the whole family is an Ohio State fan now. . .No one cares about Michigan at all anymore. That was in the past and we're all looking forward to being Buckeyes and staying Buckeyes for the rest of our lives." During spring practice, Boren impressed his coaches and teammates; however, he refused all interview requests. During the summer, when asked about the impending Michigan - Ohio State game he said "My attitude is there are 11 games before that game,. . .I can't let myself get worked up thinking about that game. I don't want to take a chance of being unprepared for any of the first 11 games. The week that game gets here, it will be my primary focus." By then, he was projected to be the starting left guard, and he was expected to be an important part of the team.
Prior to the 2009 season, Boren suffered a knee injury. The injury was not severe because of the knee brace that he was wearing. He recovered in time to be in the starting lineup at left guard along with his younger brother who started at fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
for the September 5 season opener against Navy
2009 Navy Midshipmen football team
The 2009 Navy Midshipmen football team represented the United States Naval Academy in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Midshipmen, led by third year head coach Ken Niumatalolo, played their home games at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.On November 7, 2009 athletic...
. The media portrayed Boren as a nasty and intense player, which Boren downplayed. Early in the season, the offensive line struggled. But as the season progressed guards Boren and Bryant Browning
Bryant Browning
Bryant Browning is an American football guard for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football for Ohio State University.-External links:**...
teamed up with second-year linemen Michael Brewster
Michael Brewster
Michael Brewster is an American football offensive lineman. He currently attends the Ohio State University in his junior year. Brewster is regarded as one of the best centers in his class....
, J.B. Shugarts and Mike Adams
Mike Adams (offensive tackle)
Mike Adams is an American football offensive lineman. He currently attends The Ohio State University in his senior year. Adams is considered to be one of the best offensive tackles of his class....
to form a unit that worked effectively. Boren missed the October 31 non-conference game against New Mexico State
2009 New Mexico State Aggies football team
The 2009 New Mexico State Aggies football team represented New Mexico State University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Aggies, led by 1st year head coach DeWayne Walker, played their home games at Aggie Memorial Stadium...
due to an unspecified foot injury. When he returned to Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium, nicknamed "The Big House," is the football stadium for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan Stadium was built in 1927 at a cost of $950,000 and had an original capacity of 72,000. Before playing football at the stadium, the Wolverines played on Ferry Field...
for the season finale, Michigan defensive end
Defensive end
Defensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Brandon Graham
Brandon Graham (American football)
Brandon Lee Graham is an American football defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft with the thirteenth selection in the draft and the first from the Big Ten Conference...
was very vocal about Boren's departure. At the conclusion of the 2009 Big Ten season, he was named to the All-Big Ten Conference team by both the coaches (second-team) and the media (first-team). The following 2010 season, he repeated as a first team media and second team coaches All-Big Ten Conference selection. He was named as a second team All-American selection by Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
, CBS Sports
CBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
, Rivals.com
Rivals.com
Rivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
and Scout.com
Scout.com
Scout.com is an integrated sports publishing company that produces both an Internet and print product. Scout has more than 2.1 million visitors...
.
Pre-draft
Boren was one of 56 offensive linemen invited to participate in the February 24 — March 1, 2011 NFL Scouting Combine. He ranked thirteenth in the bench pressBench press
The bench press is an exercise of the upper body. For bodybuilding purposes, it is used to stimulate the pectorals, deltoids, and triceps. While on his or her back, the person performing the bench press lowers a weight to the level of the chest, then pushes it back up until the arm is straight...
with a total of 28 repetitions. He ranked eleventh in the three cone drill with a time of 7.57. Following the draft and the 2011 NFL lockout
2011 NFL lockout
The 2011 National Football League lockout was a lockout that lasted from March 11 to July 25. It occurred primarily during the offseason for 18 weeks and 4 days...
, Boren was regarded as one of the best available free agents.
Baltimore Ravens
Boren was signed by the Baltimore RavensBaltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
on July 26, 2011. Boren's former University of Michigan offensive line coach Andy Moeller was a coach with Baltimore at the time of his signing. He was waived by the team on September 3, 2011, but he was signed to the practice squad on September 5.
Personal life
His father, Mike Boren, played football for Michigan from 1980–83 and his mother, Hope, ran trackTrack and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
there from 1979–82. Boren attended 2005 Michigan Summer Football Camp. Mike led the Wolverines in tackles
Tackle (football move)
Most forms of football have a move known as a tackle. The primary purposes of tackling is to disposses an opponent of the ball, to stop the player from gaining ground towards goal or to stop them from carrying out what they intend....
in 1982 and 1983. Justin's youngest brother, Jacoby, was a sophomore at Pickerington Central High School in 2009. By December 2010, Jacoby had committed to Ohio State.