When Boren arrived at Ohio State at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and 310 pounds (140 kg), 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 Boone, 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.
When Boren arrived at Ohio State at 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) and 310 pounds (140 kg), 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 Boone, 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.
Justin Boren