Ohio State announces team captains, Sonny Styles earns "BLOCK O" honor

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — For the second-straight year, the Block O honor goes to a member of the linebacker room. 

Ohio State football legacy Sonny Styles will wear the coveted jersey this season, following in linebacker Cody Simon's footsteps.

Raised in Pickerington, Ohio, Sonny Styles was a star basketball and football player at Pickerington Central High School. He followed the path of his father, former Buckeye All-American Lorenzo Styles Sr, and chose to play for Ohio State. After two seasons at the safety position, Styles mirrored his father again and moved to the linebacker position for 2024. He was the Buckeyes' second-leading tackler on last year's national championship team.

“Sonny is the ultimate pro,” linebackers coach James Lauriniatis said earlier this month. “He’s very intentional. From the day we decided to make the switch [to linebacker], he’s done nothing but work at it. He’s the leader of the entire team.”

Ohio State's "Block O" is inspired by defensive end Bill Willis who is remembered for toughness, accountability, and the highest of character -- all values that the current-day Buckeyes strive for every day. And nobody better exemplifies those traits than Styles, which is why Day and his staff chose him to represent the No. 0 jersey this year.

Styles is also one of four team captains for the Buckeyes this season. He is joined by junior safety Caleb Downs, junior offensive lineman Austin Siereveld and junior wide receiver Brandon Inniss. 

Downs is considered, by many, to be the best defensive player in college football this season. He was the Big Ten’s Woodson/Tatum Defensive Back of the Year and a unanimous first team All-American while totaling 82 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

Siereveld was a key player on last year's national championship offensive line. Somewhat of an unsung hero on last year's team, he stepped up when two starters went down with injuries on the offensive line and became a stabilizing figure. 

Inniss becomes a team captain without having a single start at wide receiver yet in his career. That says so much about who he is and what his leadership means to this team. He is primed for a breakout season at the receiver spot and will continue to impact on special teams.