In April of 2020, the NCAA decided to allow zero to be an official jersey number worn in collegiate games. The Ohio State football program decided to make it an honor to wear the number and call it “Block O,” as the number closely resembles the Ohio State Block O logo.
Each year, a player is awarded the honor and is someone who put time and work into the program as well as faced some adversity. Someone who is a proven leader. This year, the honor goes to linebacker Cody Simon.
With a bevy of young talent at the position, coach James Laurinaitis was recently asked who was the most well-rounded linebacker on the team. Laurinaitis didn’t hesitate with his answer.
“It’s Cody. Cody Simon’s the guy you could put at MIKE, at WILL, at SAM,” Laurinaitis said. “You can move him all around. He’s the unquestioned leader of the group. He’s the leader of the defense. He gets everybody lined up. Very technical, has really good footwork, really clean footwork, which allows him to change direction and get off blocks and tackle well.”
Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon is the recipient of this year’s Block O jersey!
A fantastic and well-deserved honor for an upperclassman leader. pic.twitter.com/LCES7hGJlh
— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) August 17, 2024
Simon becomes the fifth player to be awarded the ‘Block O’ honor. Jonathon Cooper was the first, followed by Thayer Munford, Kamryn Babb, and last year’s recipient, Xavier Johnson.
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