Sonny Styles, a linebacker at Ohio State University, has been named the recipient of the Block O award for 2025. He is the sixth Buckeye to earn this honor, joining previous awardees Jonathon Cooper (2020), Thayer Munford (2021), Kamryn Babb (2022), Xavier Johnson (2023), and Cody Simon (2024).
The Block O award was established in memory of Bill Willis, a College and Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee. Willis’s No. 99 jersey is retired at Ohio Stadium. Along with Marion Motley, Willis was one of the first two players to break professional football’s color barrier for the Cleveland Browns in 1946. The award is given annually to a team leader who represents toughness, accountability, and fight—qualities attributed to Willis.
According to statements from Ohio State football staff, “Accountability. Toughness. Fight.” are core values associated with being a Buckeye and were highlighted as qualities where Styles excels. The Ohio State media team gave insight into why Styles was chosen for this year’s honor by providing coverage from inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
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