Ohio State insiders are 'confident' this returning star will be honored to wear the Block O jersey in 2025

Cody Simon represented the Ohio State 'Block O' jersey as well as any recent Buckeye has. The No. 0 jersey is awarded to the individual who best represents the program with toughness, accountability, and character. The on-field leadership is always evident from this representative.

The Buckeyes lost 14 players to the 2025 NFL Draft and several others who weren't selected. Along with a host of talent departures, the Buckeyes had to replace both of their coordinators and several assitants. This is a different team under head coach Ryan Day.

That said, there are enough returning leaders to have a difficult choice for who gets the Block O distinction and jersey in 2025. Austin Ward and 10TV's Adam King of the Austin & Birm Daily Podcast feel the race to represent the program is over before it really begins.

The hosts were "confident" that returning senior linebacker Sonny Styles will be Day's selection. Simon was projected to be a Day 2 pick in the 2025 class had he declared, but the athletic marvel is looking to build off his breakout 2024 season. 

Styles racked up 100 tackles, six sacks, and five pass break ups last year.

The other candidates weren't nearly as productive as Styles. The only other seniors who have been with the Buckeyes for multiple years are Caden Curry and Davison Igbinosun. They could've expanded their usual considerations to include Caleb Downs, but that'd be unusual to add a junior to the mix.

In fact, the discussion was remarkably short, with both hosts almost instantaenously agreeing he's the clearcut favorite, and any other choice would be shocking. 

Simon was the program's fifth Block O recipient. The Block O was inspired by Bill Willis, who broke the color barrier in the NFL as a member of the Cleveland Browns after finishing a tremendous career in Columbus from 1942-44.

 The inaugural recipient of the Block O was DE Jonathon Cooper in 2020, followed in 2021 by OL Thayer Munford, 2022 by WR Kamryn Babb and 2023 by WR Xavier Johnson.