Kamryn Babb always seemed like the obvious choice to wear the Block 0 jersey for Ohio State this year. On Saturday, Ohio State made that official.
Babb officially became Ohio State’s third recipient of the Block 0 jersey on Saturday, when he was awarded the jersey following a scrimmage at Ohio Stadium.
Carrying the legacy from #99 to #0.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 13, 2022
The 2022 Block @kamm_o pic.twitter.com/I7qYeOdivf
Ohio State awards the No. 0 jersey each year to a player who demonstrates “toughness, accountability and the highest of character.” The tradition, which was started in honor of Buckeye great Bill Willis, began in 2020, the first year the NCAA allowed to players to wear No. 0. Jonathon Cooper was the first recipient of the Block 0 jersey in 2020, while Thayer Munford received it last year.
Toughness, Accountability & FIGHT @kamm_o #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/cz4EuJ4jFE
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 13, 2022
Munford was unable to wear No. 0 in games, as NCAA rules still require offensive linemen to wear numbers between 50-79, but Babb will be able to wear the number as a wide receiver.
#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/v1iUtmHdvZ
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 14, 2022
“It’s an honor to have this number attached to my name,” Babb said in an Ohio State release. “With it comes the responsibility to lead this team any way that I can.”
Babb’s selection as this year’s Block 0 honoree comes in recognition of the perseverance he’s shown throughout his Ohio State career, as he continues to work toward making an impact for the Buckeyes despite suffering four torn ACLs dating back to his senior year of high school.
The fifth-year senior, who is a returning captain, has been described as one of the Buckeyes’ most impactful leaders even though he has yet to catch a pass in his career due to injuries.
“He would be a guy that, when you look back, probably has made more of an impact on others than maybe anybody else around this team,” Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline said this spring.
Although Babb suffered a meniscus injury this spring and was sidelined from Thursday’s open practice with what Ryan Day described as a “tweak,” Ohio State coaches and players have expressed optimism this offseason that Babb can make an impact for the Buckeyes’ offense this season if healthy.
“I can talk for hours about Kam Babb and what he's done. Being a captain, everything he's been through,” Day said this spring. “And so we're Kam Babb fans around here. Everybody loves Kam. … And if he can stay healthy, he's gonna have an impact on this offense for sure.”
