Leadership, hard work earns four Buckeyes captain status

COLUMBUS — Ohio State has named its captains for the 2024 season, and they’re all senior leaders who decided on another year with the program instead of heading to the NFL.

The Buckeyes have decided on senior wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, senior running back TreVeyon Henderson, senior defensive end Jack Sawyer and senior linebacker Cody Simon as the team’s four captains for this season.

All four of them had their sights on leadership roles all offseason. Now that hard work and dedication to the football program has earned them captain status. For Jack Sawyer, a Central Ohio native and life-long Ohio State fan, he has wanted to be named a captain for a long time.

“I think being a captain is a big goal for me,” Sawyer said in the spring. “… Just thought about continuing to lead this team in spring and having a good spring ball, just making sure we’re all growing together.”

Sawyer helped set the tone for the offseason as one of the first Buckeyes veterans to decide on another year at Ohio State instead of heading off to the NFL. He was a spark for that, and he will continue to lead this team.

“IWe know that we have to set the standard. We’ve got to be the guys that set the pace and hold guys accountable and make sure stuff’s going the right way.”

For all the captains, they’re now squarely in the spotlight both on and off the field. That’s something they all wanted, and Simon is more than happy to lead for one of the most important seasons in program history.

“The guys in the room have to look to someone to see an example,” Simon said, “and I need to be able to lead them vocally, physically and emotionally. That’s what I try to be every day. It’s a tough role, but I love playing football, I love doing it. I love this place, so it’s a great job to have.”

Simon was also named as the team’s fifth annual ‘Block O’ jersey recipient on Saturday.

Former Buckeyes defensive end Jonathon Cooper was the first Block O jersey recipient a few years back. Former offensive lineman Thayer Munford followed it up three years ago year and represented the number as a captain. Two years ago, it was wide receiver Kamryn Babb‘s turn as the Block O recipient. And last year, wide receiver Xavier Johnson had the honor of wearing it.

Every Block O jersey recipient has also been a team captain. That continues this year.