Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles has been named the program’s Block O recipient for 2025, joining a group of players recognized for their embodiment of the team’s core values. Styles is the sixth Buckeye to receive the No. 0 jersey, following Jonathon Cooper in 2020, Thayer Munford in 2021, Kamryn Babb in 2022, Xavier Johnson in 2023 and Cody Simon in 2024.
The Block O award was established to honor Bill Willis, who was enshrined as a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Willis’s legacy continues to influence Ohio State through this tradition.
According to Ohio State, accountability, toughness and fight are central qualities that define a Buckeye. The institution cited these traits among many others where Styles stands out most.
The tradition highlights not only performance on the field but also character and commitment to team standards. The award connects recipients with Willis’s historic contribution to Ohio State football.
Ohio State’s announcement underscores how current players are expected to uphold traditions set by previous standout figures connected with both college and professional football history.
