Captains Q&As – Taji Flynn
12/24/2025 11:40:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Taji Flynn, a graduate defenseman, is one of five captains of the 2026 Ohio State men's lacrosse team. Flynn is in his fifth season as a Buckeye and is a three-time team community service award winner. In addition to his involvement in the Columbus community, he also serves the Ohio State student-athlete community as an Ohio State Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) member and current president. The Roswell, Ga. native graduated in 2025 with a degree in marketing and is currently pursing a master's degree.
Learn more about Taji:
What age did you start playing lacrosse?
"I first started playing lacrosse in eighth grade, which was around the time I was 14 years old. I was introduced to the sport by one of my best friends, who had been playing since he was younger and had been trying to convince me for years to pick up a stick until I finally listened to him."
What's your favorite thing about the sport?
"My favorite thing about lacrosse is the freedom it gives me from everything else going on. It allows me to be around a group of guys that I love, while giving my full attention to playing the game without worrying about any other responsibilities I have in my life."
Why did you choose to come to Ohio State?
"I chose to come to Ohio State because it was the one school that was willing to take a chance on me as a latecomer to the sport of lacrosse. Between the coaching staff, the familial bond the team has every year, the extensive resources available to help you develop as a student and an athlete, and the instilled competitive excellence you strive to chase in every aspect of life, there truly is no better place to be in the country."
How have you seen yourself grow in your time at Ohio State?
"One of the moments I always think back to when reflecting on my growth as a player is during one of my first fall practices, when we were doing stickwork drills, and I dropped the ball so many times I almost started crying in the middle of practice and wanted to quit on the spot. Over the course of my five years, I have transitioned from a kid who had no confidence in himself whatsoever to compete at this level to a kid who is determined to work as hard as possible to close the gap in any areas of weakness relative to my game and athletic ability. I have also found an identity outside of lacrosse, taking advantage of every opportunity that has presented itself to me. During my freshman year, I felt much of my identity was tied to my ability to perform as a lacrosse player. Now, I can point to so many relationships, hobbies, and responsibilities outside of my identity as an athlete, which have all helped me to grow my character and identity as a man."
What makes Ohio State special?
"The people truly do make the place. I strongly believe one of the biggest things separating Ohio State from any other university around the country is the people who are connected to it and who care deeply about it. During my first visit, I remember instantly feeling at home because of the hospitality and respect I was treated with the entirety of the visit. Since being here, almost every person I've connected with shares a deep passion for Ohio State. I think the shared passion for the university and the desire to strive for excellence in quite literally everything we do is what connects everyone, regardless of background or identity, and consequently what makes this place so special."
What is something not everyone knows about you?
"I was born with polydactyly, which is the medical term for being born with an extra digit on your hands or feet. I had a sixth digit/finger on both of my hands until they were surgically removed when I was a baby. I have the bumps on my pinky fingers to prove it."
How did you get involved with SAAC and what have been some of the highlights of that experience?
"I was initially elected into SAAC during my sophomore year after Brandon Fisher, who was the president of SAAC at the time, graduated. I had never heard of SAAC until I was presented the opportunity to serve as a member, so once I learned about it, I became more invested. At the beginning of my sophomore year, there were elections for the executive board positions. I chose to run for the social media coordinator role, considering I've always had a passion for technology and social media, and wanted to pursue social media marketing after college. From then on, I slowly became more integrated with the role and mission of SAAC, serving on the executive board again during my junior year. Before my senior year, an opening for the president role was available, so I was blessed enough to be selected to serve as the president of SAAC, and that has been my role ever since. Being a member of SAAC for four years now, I have experienced a ton of cool things, such as traveling to the Big Ten headquarters for a few in-person SAAC meetings to meet with other Big Ten student-athlete representatives around the country. I have been able to sit in on meetings discussing the changing landscape of college athletics and provide input as to how the university and the conference can best support the student-athlete experience. I have met an abundance of influential people, all of whom have impacted me in some way by providing mentorship or relationships for me to learn and grow from. I think the thing I have enjoyed the most is being able to connect and network with so many high-achieving student-athletes, all while being an advocate on behalf of athletes at Ohio State and across the Big Ten, to ensure our voices are being heard and our experience remains the utmost priority."
What is your favorite Ohio State tradition?
"My favorite Ohio State tradition is anytime any of our teams play the school up north. My mom went there for a year or so, so we already have a house divided in that sense. But I really enjoy the energy and the atmosphere that is created because of the rivalry, and no matter which Ohio State sports team is playing, when they are going against our rival, it is always a big deal."
What excites you about the 2026 season?
"I'm excited for the opportunity for this 2026 team to write our own story. I think there is a ton of hype and outside noise deriving from our success as a group coming off last year, but the guys in our locker room know this year's team has not proved or accomplished anything. I am excited for us to continue to grind and work to chase after every competitive goal we have set for this season, all while writing a completely new story and continuing to set a new standard for Buckeye Lacrosse for years to come.
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