The announcement of captains is always a meaningful moment at Ohio State, a program built on tradition, leadership, and the unrelenting pursuit of excellence. In 2025, the Buckeyes revealed the players who would serve as captains, and their words carried the weight of what it means to don the scarlet and gray with added responsibility. For each of them, it wasn’t just about the title itself but about the long line of leaders they now join, the trust their teammates have placed in them, and the legacy they are expected to uphold. Leadership at Ohio State is not something that comes lightly. Being a captain at a program of this stature carries an extra burden, especially with the expectations placed on this year’s team, which is not only eyeing a College Football Playoff run but also one of the toughest schedules in recent years. When players reflect on their journeys, they think about the long hours in the weight room, the bruising grind of summer conditioning, and the constant accountability that comes with being part of a team where the standard is never lowered. To then be elevated as a captain is a reminder that their peers see them as more than just talented athletes. They see them as voices worth following when things get difficult, as examples of consistency when the games matter most, and as figures who embody what Ohio State football is supposed to stand for.
The captains spoke about the moment their names were called, and the common thread was humility mixed with gratitude. They spoke of being honored by their teammates and coaches and of feeling a responsibility that extends beyond the practice fields and game days. At Ohio State, the captaincy is tied to history. Players often mention the figures they looked up to when they were recruits, watching Buckeye legends who carried themselves with an aura of leadership. To step into those shoes is to accept the challenge of not only leading but also protecting the culture. For many, this honor isn’t just about the present season but about representing the former players who built the foundation and the younger players who will carry it forward.
One captain admitted that it still felt surreal, recalling how he once looked up to the older leaders in the locker room as a freshman who was still adjusting to the size, speed, and intensity of college football. He remembered sitting in meetings and watching how captains handled themselves under pressure, how they kept the team focused in moments of adversity, and how they constantly emphasized accountability. To now find himself in that role was a full-circle moment that reminded him how far he had come. Another reflected on the sacrifices made to get to this point. It wasn’t just about making plays on the field; it was about the discipline off of it. Captains at Ohio State are expected to set the tone with film study, with nutrition, with workouts, and with their daily decisions. They understand that every younger player is watching, and every misstep sends a message. The title, then, comes with an unspoken agreement: you are no longer just playing for yourself, but for the entire program.
This year’s crop of captains seems especially united in embracing that sense of responsibility. They know the expectations surrounding the 2025 Buckeyes. A season opener against Texas looms as one of the most anticipated games in recent college football history, and Ohio State’s captains will be the ones tasked with making sure the team isn’t overwhelmed by the spotlight. They will be leaned on to calm nerves in the locker room, to sharpen the focus when distractions creep in, and to ensure that every detail in preparation is respected. Leadership, after all, is often tested most in the buildup to big moments. The ability to hold teammates accountable without creating division, the ability to push them without breaking them, and the ability to inspire confidence are what separate good leaders from great ones.
For some captains, the recognition is also validation of the hard work they have poured into the program over the years. One player mentioned that he wasn’t the most highly touted recruit coming in, and there were times when he questioned if he would ever truly make an impact at a school as competitive as Ohio State. To now be a captain means that perseverance was worth it. It means that his voice carries weight not because of stars attached to his name out of high school, but because of the respect he has earned every day since arriving on campus. Another captain noted that his family’s reaction made the moment even more special. Parents, siblings, and even high school coaches reached out to say how proud they were. At a program where competition is fierce and only a select few rise to such a position, being named a captain is a moment families treasure as much as the players themselves.
But beyond the personal pride, the captains continually circled back to one point: this is about the team. Each spoke about not wanting the captaincy to be a symbolic gesture. They want it to be active, to be a force that pushes Ohio State closer to its goals. They recognize that talent alone doesn’t win championships. It’s culture, unity, and leadership that carry a team through the toughest stretches of a season. Ohio State has been in those battles before, and when the program has thrived, it has often been because of the captains who steadied the ship.
The honor of being captain also comes with the task of serving as a bridge between the coaches and the players. At a program as large as Ohio State, not every voice can reach the head coach directly. Captains often find themselves being the ones who take the pulse of the locker room, who listen to concerns from teammates, and who bring that feedback to the staff in a constructive way. That role requires trust from both sides. Coaches trust that captains will be honest about where the team stands, and players trust that their captains will advocate for them when needed. It’s a balancing act that requires maturity and wisdom, qualities that the 2025 captains have shown consistently.
As the season approaches, the spotlight on these leaders will only intensify. They know that when the Buckeyes take the field, their actions will be scrutinized not only by teammates but also by fans and media. But the message they’ve embraced is that leadership is not about seeking the spotlight. It’s about being steady when others aren’t, about setting the example day in and day out, and about carrying yourself in a way that reflects positively on the program. That philosophy aligns with what Ohio State preaches across the board: the team comes first, and every action should elevate the collective.
The breakfast setting where the captains reflected on their honor may have been casual, but their words carried the weight of the program’s history. It was a reminder that at Ohio State, the smallest moments can tie back to something much bigger. Every player knows the names etched into Buckeye lore, the championship teams, the Heisman winners, and the unforgettable victories. To now join that history as captains is a privilege that they don’t take lightly. They spoke not with arrogance but with an understanding that the title is only the beginning. The real work starts with how they lead from this day forward.
In many ways, this group represents a blend of what Ohio State football is built on: talent, resilience, accountability, and a relentless drive to be great. They know the responsibility they’ve accepted, and they’ve shown an eagerness to embrace it fully. The 2025 season will test them in ways they can’t yet imagine. There will be moments of triumph and moments of adversity, but the foundation of leadership has been laid. For the Buckeyes, the honor of being captain is not just about wearing a “C” on the jersey. It’s about embodying the values that have made the program one of the most storied in college football history. And for the men who now carry that title, it’s a chance to leave their mark, to lead their brothers into battle, and to etch their names into a legacy that stretches far beyond the walls of Ohio Stadium.
