New Voices, Same Standard: Ohio State’s 2025 Season Shaped by Rising Leaders Determined to Uphold a Legacy of Dominance
The winds of change are swirling in Columbus as the Ohio State Buckeyes prepare for the 2025 college football season. With key veterans departed to the NFL and a new chapter unfolding, leadership has become the defining storyline for one of college football’s most storied programs. While the Buckeyes remain stacked with elite talent, it’s the emergence of new leaders—gritty, vocal, and battle-tested—that’s setting the tone as summer fades into fall. These new faces aren’t just filling shoes; they’re reshaping the locker room, owning the weight of expectation, and guiding the program toward another potential title run.
Ohio State’s culture under Ryan Day has always emphasized accountability and competition, but 2025 feels different. After back-to-back seasons where the Buckeyes came up just short in the playoff race, there’s a renewed fire—and it’s coming from the players themselves. These aren’t just emerging captains in waiting; they’re tone-setters and enforcers of a standard forged by decades of tradition.
Among the most notable new leaders is junior linebacker Malik Hartford. Once seen primarily as a rangy, athletic defender with sky-high potential, Hartford has evolved into the emotional heartbeat of the defense. His voice has grown louder during spring practices, his presence impossible to ignore. Coaches praise him not just for his physicality, but for his vocal direction pre-snap and his ability to hold teammates accountable in film sessions. As defensive coordinator Matt Patricia installs more NFL-style complexity, Hartford has embraced the responsibility of making sure the rest of the unit stays in sync. His film study habits and daily intensity have made him an extension of the coaching staff on the field.
Joining Hartford on defense is senior edge rusher Kenyatta Jackson Jr., a once-under-the-radar recruit who has blossomed into one of the Big Ten’s most feared pass rushers. What separates Jackson isn’t just his production—it’s the consistency and professionalism he brings to every rep. Younger defensive linemen gravitate toward him in drills, soaking up every tip and technique. Jackson, who nearly declared for the NFL after last season, returned with unfinished business. He now leads with quiet confidence, often pulling younger players aside after walkthroughs and pushing them through extra drills, just as veterans once did for him.
In the secondary, sophomore cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt has wasted no time stepping into a leadership void left by departing upperclassmen. Still early in his college career, his on-field maturity has impressed coaches and teammates alike. A freak athlete with fluid hips and lockdown potential, Simpson-Hunt communicates like a fifth-year senior, barking out coverages and adjustments with authority. In a room filled with young but talented corners, his leadership has stabilized the unit heading into a season where defensive backs will face high-powered passing attacks nearly every week.
Offensively, the Buckeyes are ushering in a new era behind center with junior quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, who takes over as the full-time starter after patiently waiting his turn. Kienholz isn’t the flashiest name in college football yet, but inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, he commands enormous respect. His rise as a leader has been methodical—first by example, now increasingly with his voice. Coaches describe him as unshakable in high-pressure moments and meticulous in his preparation. During spring and summer sessions, Kienholz took ownership of organizing throwing sessions and ensuring timing and trust were built with every receiver on the depth chart. Wideouts praise him for demanding excellence on every route, and linemen value his poise in the pocket.
Helping Kienholz lead the offense is veteran center Carson Hinzman, the anchor of an offensive line that blends experience with youth. Hinzman has fully embraced his role as the quarterback of the trenches. In team meetings and workouts, he often serves as the bridge between players and coaches, reinforcing scheme nuances and helping younger linemen with technique and positioning. His calm demeanor contrasts with his violent play on the field, making him one of the most respected players in the locker room. It’s Hinzman who calls out blitz pickups and line shifts, but also who reminds his teammates of the “why” behind every rep.
The skill position rooms also boast emerging voices, none louder than junior wide receiver Brandon Inniss. After a breakout sophomore campaign, Inniss has taken the mantle left by stars like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka. What’s changed in 2025 is Inniss’ transformation from quiet contributor to vocal motivator. He now leads film breakdowns for receivers, challenges DBs in one-on-ones, and has reportedly taken on the responsibility of mentoring incoming freshmen. His work ethic—staying after practice, showing up early for lifts, texting teammates clips to study—is contagious. That culture of relentless improvement has reignited the Buckeyes’ wide receiver room.
Not to be forgotten is sophomore tight end Damarion Witten, who’s emerged as both a red-zone threat and a locker room presence beyond his years. Witten’s rise was unexpected, but he’s earned his teammates’ respect through toughness, reliability, and unselfish play. His vocal leadership in blocking drills and special teams units has set a tone for the program’s next generation of utility stars.
Defensively, the linebacker room continues to flourish under the guidance of not only Hartford but also returning senior Cody Simon, who opted to return for a final season to pursue a championship. Simon has been described as the “wise elder” of the defense. His approach is understated but impactful—pulling younger players aside, reinforcing fundamentals, and always finishing first in drills. Simon’s leadership is the glue holding together a linebacker corps brimming with speed and potential.
At safety, transfer senior Keenan Nelson Jr. has made an immediate impact. Brought in for depth and experience, Nelson has also emerged as a vocal leader during player-led workouts. His SEC pedigree and competitive fire have pushed returning Buckeye safeties to raise their level. It’s that kind of internal competition and camaraderie that’s building something special behind the scenes.
One cannot talk about Ohio State leadership without mentioning the influence of strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti, whose offseason training programs have helped surface many of these emerging voices. Marotti has long preached “earned, not given,” and this offseason, leadership council meetings were filled with new names. The Buckeyes didn’t simply appoint captains—they let leaders rise naturally through actions and effort. The culture in the weight room has carried over to the field, where effort is demanded and accountability is absolute.
This cultural rebirth hasn’t gone unnoticed by Ryan Day, who enters a pivotal season himself. Day has long emphasized the importance of leadership councils and empowering players to police themselves. In press conferences and private meetings alike, he’s praised this team’s maturity and hunger. “There’s a different feel this year,” Day said recently. “Guys aren’t waiting around. They’re stepping up. That’s when you know something special is building.”
The 2025 Buckeyes aren’t defined by a single star or Heisman contender—not yet. Instead, they’re being shaped by a collective voice, a rising tide of leaders determined to right the wrongs of past near-misses. Whether it’s in the trenches, the secondary, or behind center, these leaders are setting a new standard. They know what the ‘Block O’ represents, and they’re refusing to let it fade.
As fall camp begins and the countdown to kickoff narrows, one thing is clear: Ohio State doesn’t just have talent—it has leadership rooted in brotherhood, forged by grind, and fueled by legacy. The voices are different. The mission remains the same. The Buckeyes aren’t just coming—they’re coming together, stronger than ever.
