Eric Boggs
Ohio State’s Block O jersey tradition, now entering its sixth season, has quickly become one of the most revered honors in Buckeye football. It’s a number given not for stats or flash but for grit, leadership, loyalty, and the embodiment of Buckeye values. And as fans turn their attention toward who should wear the coveted zero this fall, a clear favorite is emerging—senior linebacker Sonny Styles.
Across fan circles and the Buckeye podcasting community, Sonny’s name continues to rise to the top. As discussed in a recent episode of The OHIO Podcast, panelists were nearly unanimous in naming Styles as both the player who should and will receive the honor.
The reasons are compelling. Sonny Styles has been a key part of Ohio State’s defensive unit since his arrival, making an early impact despite a crowded depth chart. His growth into a versatile defender, transitioning from safety to a hybrid linebacker role, demonstrates both his adaptability and team-first mentality. Last season, Styles quietly racked up over 100 tackles, anchoring the middle of the field with speed, physicality, and discipline. He’s not just a stat-sheet filler—he’s a tone-setter.
As panelist TG noted, “He’s the embodiment of everything we want in a captain.” Styles’ leadership has been particularly evident this offseason, with reports from inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center consistently praising his voice in the locker room and his command on the field. Despite his leaner frame compared to traditional linebackers, his 6’4″, 240-pound build has proven more than capable of handling the physical toll of Big Ten football. As TG quipped, “Ask the 100 guys he knocked down last year if he’s too small.”
Even as transfer safety Caleb Downs—widely considered the best defensive player in college football—enters the equation, most believe the Block O tradition will favor a homegrown Buckeye. Downs may very well be a future NFL star, and he’s fit in seamlessly since arriving in Columbus, but Sonny Styles’ commitment to Ohio State from day one and the way he’s matured through the program gives him the edge for this honor.
Still, there were other names in the conversation. Carson Hinzman, the offensive lineman who stuck with the team after being benched in the Cotton Bowl, received praise for his loyalty and perseverance. Giving the Block O to a center would certainly be unconventional, but it would also speak volumes about toughness and quiet leadership.
The discussion ultimately returned to tradition. As Chris reminded listeners, the Block O has gone to both offensive and defensive players in the past—Xavier Johnson, Cameron Babb, Jonathan Cooper, and Cody Simon among them—but what matters most is who exemplifies Buckeye culture.
And right now, that player is Sonny Styles.
With the support of his teammates, the trust of his coaches, and the backing of Buckeye Nation, it seems more and more likely that Styles will take the field this fall with a bold “0” stretched across his chest—marking him as a leader not just in the huddle, but in the storied lineage of Ohio State football.
