Cody Simon will wear Ohio State’s “Block O” jersey in 2024.
The fifth-year senior linebacker received the ceremonial No. 0 jersey on Saturday, becoming the fifth Buckeye to receive the honor since the NCAA allowed its players to wear No. 0 in 2020.
An example of what it means to be a Buckeye. The 2024 Block O receiver, @Cody_Simon30 pic.twitter.com/hdAkOvHJX
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) 17 August 2024
Simon, along with Jonathon Cooper, Thayer Munford, Kamryn Babb and Xavier Johnson, will receive the “Block O” jersey as Buckeyes.
“I love this program so much,” Simon said in a statement released by Ohio State on Saturday. “I had goals when I came here, and while things didn’t always go the way I imagined, I couldn’t have asked for better teammates.”
Simon, a Buckeye from New Jersey who has been with the team for five years, confirms his status as one of Ohio State’s top leaders for the 2024 season with his selection as this year’s Block O-Winner. On Saturday, he was also named a team captain along with running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and defensive end Jack Sawyer.
Selected by their peers. Team Captain 2024: @Cody_Simon30 pic.twitter.com/ndrumXbsWh
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) 17 August 2024
Simon will step into Tommy Eichenberg’s shoes from the Mike linebacker position and take charge of the defense both on and off the field.
“He’s the undisputed leader of the group. He’s the leader of the defense,” Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis said last week when asked if Simon is the Buckeyes’ best linebacker.
Simon is aware of the responsibility that comes with being seen as a leader not only of his unit, but of the entire team.
“For me, (being a leader) means I have to be my best every day,” Simon said last week. “The guys in the room have to look to someone as an example. And I have to be able to lead them verbally, physically and emotionally. That’s what I try to do every day. And it’s a tough role, but I love playing football. I love doing it. I love this place. So it’s a great job.”
Simon is only the second Buckeye to receive the “Block O” jersey who did not grow up in Ohio, along with Babb, who is from St. Louis, Missouri.
The “Block O” jersey was designed in memory of Bill Willis, a member of the College and Professional Football Hall of Fame whose number 99 is no longer worn in the Horseshoe. He was one of the first two players to break segregation in professional football for the Cleveland Browns in 1946, along with fellow Hall of Famer Marion Motley. The jersey is awarded annually to a team leader who embodies Willis’ “toughness, accountability and strength of character.”
