Cody Simon Chosen as Fifth Recipient of the Block “O” Jersey
8/17/2024 2:01:00 PM | Football
Fifth-year senior linebacker has played in 44 career games and started 15 times
COLUMBUS, Ohio – On a defense that is expected to be one of the best in college football this season, nobody brings more experience to the table than Cody Simon. Over the last four years and 44 games, his toughness, intelligence and value has been seen in ways both big and small.
So it was no surprise that on Saturday, after Ohio State's 14th practice of fall camp, Simon received one of the most coveted honors that the program bestows: he was awarded the Block "O" jersey for the 2024 season. He'll shed his familiar No. 30 and become the fifth player to wear No. 0.
"I love this program so much," said Simon. "I had goals when I got here and even though everything always hasn't gone the way I've envisioned, I couldn't have asked for better teammates."
Simon, a Jersey City, N.J. native who is the second non-Ohioan to wear the Block 0, personifies what it means to be reliable. On the field, he's the quarterback of the defense, playing the middle linebacker position in a way that prompted his position coach, James Laurinaitis, who knows a thing or two about elite play at the position, to say of Simon "he's the unquestioned leader of the group. He's the leader of the defense."
Statistically, Simon has totaled 147 career tackles and was fourth on the team with 53 stops last season. His elevated play helped the Buckeyes finish with the nation's No. 3 overall defense. The unit was No. 1 against the pass, No. 2 in fewest points given up per game and No. 29 against the run.
With the return of eight starters in 2024, even bigger things are expected. And Simon will be in the middle of it – literally.
"I have to be at my best every day," Simon said during a media session with his fellow linebackers. "The guys in the room have to look to someone to see an example. And I need to be able to lead them vocally, physically and emotionally. So that's what I try to be every day."
So how did Simon get here? By simply being himself. Since arriving at Ohio State in 2020, he's done whatever has been asked of him. As a sophomore in 2021, it was starting 10 games. Over the last two seasons, he was in a linebacker room that included Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers. But when his number was called, he always delivered.
And that included in the areas of leadership, too. Before the 2023 season was complete, Simon was the first player to publicly declare that he would be back for his final season of eligibility. Later, 10 more players would make the same announcements, which filled the 2024 roster with talent, experience and depth.
Block O Honors Bill Willis
Ohio State's tradition of awarding the Block "O" is inspired by one of the all-time greats to ever don the Scarlet and Gray: Bill Willis. A defensive end whose career spanned from 1942-44, Willis was an All-American and national champion during his time with the Buckeyes. He later went on to break the color barrier in the National Football League as a member of the Cleveland Browns and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well as the College Football Hall of Fame.
Willis' No. 99 is retired at Ohio State and what he stood for – toughness, accountability and the highest of character – are values that the current-day Buckeyes strive for every day. And nobody better exemplifies those traits than Simon, which is why Day and his staff chose him to represent the No. 0 jersey this year.
The inaugural recipient of the Block O was DE Jonathon Cooper in 2020, followed in 2021 by OL Thayer Munford, 2022 by WR Kamryn Babb and last season by WR Xavier Johnson.
