Tag: Block “0” Jersey

Ohio State reveals “Block 0” jersey recipient for 2023

Congrats to Xavier Johnson! #GoBucks

Ohio State receiver Xavier Johnson is this year’s “Block 0” recipient according to a release from the department of athletics. The announcement was made by head coach Ryan after the 14th fall practice on Saturday.

Johnson’s story is an amazing one. He originally came to Ohio State as a preferred walk-on in 2018, but has worked his way into the lineup by contributing any way he could. He is now one of the leaders expected to have a significant role this fall. He already carved out a spot on offense at the wide receiver and running back position on one of the most explosive offenses in the country last season.

Last year, Johnson had 13 receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns, but he also made some big plays on the ground. He rushed the ball 12 times for 146 yards and one touchdown. Everyone remembers his highlight worthy touchdown catch against Georgia in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl just before halftime that kept things rolling for the Buckeyes.

“My goal is to continue to inspire hope in this team,” said Johnson after the announcement. “I’ll lead, inspire and help us reach the highest of heights.”

Ohio State’s tradition of awarding the Block “0” started when the NCAA first allowed the No. 0 to be worn on the field in 2020. It is inspired by the venerable Bill Willis, who played defensive end for Ohio State from 1942-1944. Willis was an All-American and national champion during his time with the Buckeyes. More famously, Willis helped 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.

Congratulations are definitely in order for Johnson as a well-deserved honor.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

Ohio State football reveals player that will wear “Block 0” uniform

This is a well-deserved honor. #GoBucks

It’s a tradition that started when the NCAA allowed the number “0” to be worn in college football back in 2020. Former Ohio State defensive end Jonathon Cooper was the first to start this new tradition that honors former OSU player Bill Willis, a pioneer in breaking the color barrier in the NFL.

Willis wore No. 99, but the Buckeye program took the opportunity to recognize the importance of Willis with the new Block 0 jersey. Last year’s wearer of the jersey was offensive lineman Thayer Munford, though he could not wear it in games because of NCAA rules that only allow offensive linemen to wear numbers between 50-79.

And now, we have been made aware of which player will don the Block 0 jersey in 2022. It is none other than receiver Kamryn Babb, and it makes a lot of sense. The player that has the honor of wearing the Block 0 jersey is one that displays “toughness, accountability and the highest of character.”

Babb has shown that and more. The 6-foot, 210-pound fifth-year senior came to the program as a high 4-star prospect in the 2018 class. He had already sustained a torn ACL in high school and has run into the same injury-plagued bad luck during his time as a Buckeye. All told, the St. Louis native has had to rehab and recover from four ACL tears but is a returning captain that means much more to the team than what he has accomplished so far on the field in game action.

And yeah, as a receiver, Babb can wear the Block 0 jersey in a game.

While he continues to try and show that he’s a receiver that can make an impact as a dynamic playmaker on the field for this year, there’s is little doubt what Babb means to the program and what he has had to deal with working his way through some pretty unfortunate events.

It’s hard not to root for Babb to be a big part of this team in game action for 2022, and we’ll sure be a part of the camp that looks to see what his career still holds.

[mm-video type=video id=01g8c201tsqd2rq1xmft playlist_id=01eqbz0qtnjg5x7tc8 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g8c201tsqd2rq1xmft/01g8c201tsqd2rq1xmft-98090a61c4af3208041fc5656a52a55d.jpg]

[listicle id=94296]

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on Twitter.

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Thayer Munford recognized with ‘Block O’ jersey

Thayer Munford becomes the second ever player to be awarded the “Block 0” jersey. Do you like this new tradition?

Ohio State offensive lineman Thayer Munford is the latest recipient of the “Block 0” jersey. If you’re not familiar with what that means, we don’t blame you. Ohio State started the new tradition just last season when college football players were officially allowed to wear the number zero.

The Buckeyes put their own spin on it and made it into a “Block 0” with Jonathon Cooper forever being the answer to the trivia question of who the first OSU player was to wear it. Ohio State awards the “Block 0” jersey, which pays homage to Buckeye great Bill Willis, to a player who best emulates “toughness, accountability, and high character.”

Munford is one of six captains of the team this year, has been a mainstay on the offensive line as a three-year starter, and is the most experienced offensive lineman in the Big Ten.

Ohio State ranked highly in Paul Myerberg's preseason re-rank
Tackle Thayer Munford is 6-6 and 321 pounds and is regarded for his pass protection. Credit: USA TODAY Sports

There is one catch though: If you are looking for Munford to sport the “Block 0” jersey like what we saw with Cooper last season, you may be disappointed. An offensive lineman has to wear a number between 50-79, so Munford will instead sport a patch commerating his selection.

[listicle id=57558]

Jonathon Cooper first Ohio State player to wear ‘Block 0’ jersey

Ohio State is starting a new tradition with its “Block 0” jersey honoring Bill Willis. Jonathon Cooper becomes the first to wear it.

If you haven’t heard, the Ohio State football program is starting a new tradition this year. Players are now able to were the No. 0 and the Buckeyes have decided to call that the “Block 0” jersey, and doing it in honor of OSU great Bill Willis.

And the first recipient to be honored to wear that jersey is none other than Columbus area native and senior captain Jonathon Cooper.

“This honor stands out from the rest,” said Cooper in a statement from the university. “Being a captain, all the great things that have happened here at Ohio State, this one stands out a lot more to me personally. It doesn’t just represent me, it represents a great man, a great player who played here. I know when I put that jersey on I’m representing him and I have to go out there and be my very best, and I have to do that every single day. This one really means a lot to me.”

Head coach Ryan Day brought his team together and was happy to bestow the honor on the fifth-year senior.

“Jonathon Cooper represents everything that an Ohio State football player should be,” Day said. “He’s tough. He’s accountable. He loves this university and this state. He’s someone who continually embodies our culture of ‘fight.’ And that’s in everything that he does, on and off the field. I’m proud of Coop; he’s the perfect Buckeye to wear the Block “0” for the first time.”

A little more about Willis. He played for Ohio State from 1942-1944 and was an All-American and national champion for the Buckeyes. He wore No. 99 and went on to play in the NFL, breaking the color barrier with the Cleveland Browns. He is enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame after an eight-year playing career.

Congrats to Cooper. He’s a great representation of what wearing the “Block 0” in the future will mean, and sets a perfect example for years to come.

 

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.

Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Buckeyes Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.