Ohio State will have only three captains in 2023.
After 10 straight seasons in which Ohio State had at least six captains, the Buckeyes will have only half that many this year, bestowing that honor on an exclusive trio of veterans for the 2023 season: Tommy Eichenberg, Cade Stover and Xavier Johnson.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 19, 2023
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It marks the first time since 2009 that Ohio State will have only three team captains.
Stover and Eichenberg, who are each fifth-year seniors, are both team captains for the second year in a row, becoming the 16th and 17th two-time captains in Ohio State history. Johnson, a former walk-on who has worked his way into becoming one of Ohio State’s most versatile and respected players, is also the recipient of Ohio State’s Block 0 jersey for the 2023 season.
Eichenberg will be Ohio State’s only captain on defense this season. The starting middle linebacker established himself as the leader of Ohio State’s defense last campaign, becoming a player everyone on the roster feels they can count on both on and off the field. He led the 2022 Buckeyes with 120 total tackles, the most in a single season for any Ohio State defender in the last eight years.
“He's such a good leader,” fellow linebacker Cody Simon said of Eichenberg earlier this month. “I don't think anyone on the defense wouldn't go into battle with him. He's the ultimate competitor.”
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— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 20, 2023
Stover likewise became one of the most universally respected players in the Ohio State football program last season en route to a breakout season of his own in which he started all 13 games at tight end and caught 36 passes for 406 yards and five touchdowns.
“There’s not a better guy than Cade,” fellow tight end Joe Royer said of Stover earlier this week. “Not a better role model for the younger guys and still me, I look up to him in many ways. Hardest worker on the team, does everything right. If you want to have a chance of playing football and being successful, just look at what he does and try to mimic it.”
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— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 20, 2023
Johnson, who is entering his sixth year with the Buckeyes, has drawn the praise of his coaches and teammates for years for his selflessness, embodied by the fact that he’s played three different positions in his OSU career – wide receiver, running back and cornerback – all the while establishing himself as a staple on special teams. Johnson is expected to play a bigger role on offense this season after accumulating 297 yards and three touchdowns on just 25 touches (12 carries, 13 receptions) last season, and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline expects Johnson to also make a big impact as a leader, comparing Johnson to Kamryn Babb, who was one of Ohio State’s captains for the past two seasons.
“How I always think of Kam Babb as an amazing young man, he’s created a standard. Everyone kind of knows,” Hartline said this spring. “X is in line with all that. Big man of faith, great leader with the young guys, willing to speak up. The future's bright for Xavier.”
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— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 20, 2023
