Ohio State has announced the team captains who will lead the Buckeyes into the 2025 football season. Head coach Ryan Day confirmed that four players were chosen by their teammates to take on leadership roles: safety Caleb Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles, offensive lineman Austin Siereveld, and wide receiver Brandon Inniss. Each of these players has demonstrated strong performance on the field as well as dedication in the classroom, earning respect throughout the program. Styles was also honored as the recipient of this year’s Block O jersey, a tradition that recognizes a player who exemplifies toughness, accountability, and leadership.
Caleb Downs, a junior safety, made a tremendous impact during his first year with Ohio State. His performance earned him the Woodson/Tatum Defensive Back of the Year award in the Big Ten, and he was named a unanimous first team All-American. Downs recorded 82 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions, showing both consistency and playmaking ability in the secondary. Beyond his on-field accomplishments, he is an OSU Scholar-Athlete and is pursuing a major in sports industry. His quick rise to national recognition has made him one of the most important players in the Buckeyes’ defensive lineup heading into 2025.
Senior linebacker Sonny Styles enters the season as the team’s leading returning tackler. Last year, he posted 100 tackles across 16 games, establishing himself as a cornerstone of the defense. His versatility and leadership made him a natural choice for captain. Off the field, Styles has been recognized for his academic and community contributions. A Scholar-Athlete majoring in sports industry, he was Ohio State’s male nominee in spring 2025 for the Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community & Impact Award, highlighting his efforts to make a difference both in sports and in service to others. Styles has quickly become one of the most respected leaders on the team, and the added honor of wearing the Block O jersey cements his importance as the Buckeyes prepare for a highly anticipated season.
On the offensive line, junior Austin Siereveld has stepped into a leadership role. Siereveld started six games in 2024, including two in the playoffs, and played nearly 500 snaps over the course of the season. His ability to line up at either guard or tackle makes him one of the most versatile offensive linemen on the roster. His teammates value his reliability and effort, and his consistency earned him recognition as a captain this season. Academically, he is majoring in sports industry and has been honored multiple times as an OSU Scholar-Athlete. He has also been named Academic All-Big Ten, further showing his balance of academic success with athletic performance.
Wide receiver Brandon Inniss rounds out the list of captains. Now entering his third year in the program, Inniss has earned a reputation as a dependable pass catcher and a dedicated special teams contributor. He has recorded 14 career punt returns and three kickoff returns while steadily developing into a key figure in the receiving corps. Inniss is also an accomplished student, majoring in sports industry and collecting multiple academic awards, including College Sports Communicators All-District, Academic All-Big Ten, and OSU Scholar-Athlete honors. His work ethic, leadership, and ability to impact games in multiple phases of play made him a natural fit for captaincy.
The selection of Downs, Styles, Siereveld, and Inniss reflects the depth of leadership across all phases of the team. Each captain brings a different skill set and personality, ensuring that the Buckeyes will have steady guidance both on the field and in the locker room. Their combination of athletic talent, academic achievements, and community contributions makes them ideal representatives of the program. Head coach Ryan Day emphasized that the leadership of these four players will be critical as Ohio State faces one of the most anticipated openers in recent memory.
The Buckeyes begin the 2025 season ranked third nationally, with a marquee matchup against top-ranked Texas at Ohio Stadium on August 30. The game, scheduled for noon kickoff, is expected to be one of the defining contests of the early college football season. With new captains at the helm and national expectations running high, Ohio State enters the season with both confidence and pressure. For Downs, Styles, Siereveld, and Inniss, the responsibility of leading their teammates into battle against the top team in the country will be the first test of their new roles as captains.
As the season approaches, Buckeye fans are eager to see how this leadership group will guide the team through one of the most challenging schedules in the nation. With a strong core of returning players and four captains setting the standard, Ohio State is poised to make another push for the Big Ten title and a place in the national championship race. The stage is set, and the Buckeyes’ new captains will be at the center of the story as the 2025 campaign begins.
