Ohio State is full of traditions. The Buckeyes are steeped in pageantry from Script Ohio to the Buckeye leaves covering their helmets. With the semi-recent inclusion of the number zero being allowed to be worn, the Buckeyes had a brand-new tradition fall right into their lap: The Block O jersey.
The Block O jersey represents Ohio State since it physically looks like a block letter “O.” But the Buckeyes also use it to commemorate Bill Willis. As an edge rusher and offensive lineman from 1942-44, Willis exemplified what it meant to be a Buckeye. His number 99 is retired by the program, so they found a new way to honor Ohio State’s first Black All-American.
2025 will be the sixth season with the tradition. Jonathon Cooper, Thayer Munford, Kam Babb, Xavier Johnson, and Cody Simon have all been honored. This year, there are plenty of worthy Buckeyes to sport the special number. Players like Caleb Downs or Jeremiah Smith could be solid choices, but all six previous Block O recipients were fifth-year players. Oddly enough, none of the recruiting class of 2021 is still on the team.
Candidates for the 2025 Block O Jersey
Sonny Styles
To kick it off, why not go back to the defensive side of the ball? Sonny Styles has been one of the players with a large cult following due to the potential fans see in him. What better way to be team-first than to change positions to better suit the unit? Styles started off as a hard-hitting, downhill safety with some incredible athleticism. He was part of the late-game rotation as a true freshman before earning a starting role in 2023.
Then, with a leader returning from injury and the incoming transfer of one of the best defenders in college football, he made the switch to linebacker. Alongside last year’s Block O jersey, Styles broke out to the tune of 100 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, five pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
He could have declared for the draft. He likely would have been a project that an NFL team would salivate at the thought of drafting. The six-foot-four, uber-athletic linebacker is due for another massive step forward in 2025. With another strong season, he could find himself in contention to be one of the top linebackers in the country.
C.J. Hicks
If Ohio State had a nickel for every former five-star defender with a cult following who changed positions for the betterment of the team, it’d have two nickels (at least, for this year’s team). C.J. Hicks, much like Styles, has a passionate sect of the fanbase just waiting for his breakout.
To this point, Hicks has been buried on the depth chart and has done nothing of significance for the Buckeyes. In three seasons, he’s totaled just 36 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and a pass breakup. The bulk of that workload came early last year with Simon on the sidelines due to injury.
Heading into 2025, Hicks is moving down to EDGE. He joins a crowded room that is filled to the brim wth unproven talent. Ohio State is hopeful the move allows him to become an every-down player.
Carson Hinzman
Now this one could get interesting. Carson Hinzman was the starting center for the 2023 season. Leading up to the Cotton Bowl, he was benched for some comments he made on a podcast. He was effectively in the doghouse. The Buckeyes brought in a transfer center, kicking Hinzman to second-team at best. Then, after a handful of shuffles to the offensive line after injuries, he started at guard before kicking back inside to center after Seth McLaughlin was lost for the year.
He then became a critical part of the Buckeyes’ offensive line, developing into a strength en route to a National Championship.
Now, heading into his fourth season with the Buckeyes, Hinzman is ready to truly be a leader. Obviously, offensive linemen cannot physically wear the Block O jersey. So if Hinzman were to earn it, it would be a ceremonial thing with a patch on his number 75 jersey, just like Munford’s.
Hinzman has been vocal about wanting to step up as a leader. Plenty of players would have transferred after the podcast/Cotton Bowl debacle. It’s very possible those discussions were had. But he stuck it out and became invaluable last year. He will be the go-to leader on the line in 2025 as the one with the most experience.
Will Kacmarek
While there’s a very good chance the Block O jersey will not go to a fifth-year player, there’s a transfer on the roster who is heading into his fifth season. Will Kacmarek transferred to Ohio State from Ohio and made an immediate impact. If you’re watching box scores, it wouldn’t look like much. However, Kacmarek was a critical part of the Buckeyes’ improved rushing attack and was a stabilizing force on an otherwise volatile offensive line.
After only appearing in two games as a freshman in 2021, Kacmarek was an important weapon for the Bobcats in 2022 and 2023. In 27 games, he hauled in 42 passes for 507 yards and two scores. Last year for the Buckeyes, his impact was felt off the scoresheet. He only recorded eight receptions for 86 yards.
He missed over a month of action due to injury, but he came back for the Indiana game and helped the Buckeyes out on their run to the title. His tight end coach believes he’s “the best blocking tight end in the country.”
It’s not as glamorous as a blocking tight end. The likelihood of looking up and seeing a Kacmarek jersey in the stands is slim, but he’s not at Ohio State for the glory. As the veteran leader in a surprisingly crowded tight end room, Kacmarek could be a great under-the-radar candidate for the Block O jersey.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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