Nothing beats making the family proud.
After being named the captains of this year’s Ohio State football team, Cade Stover, Tommy Eichenberg and Xavier Johnson each had a heartwarming phone call to make to their parents.
Tight ends coach Keenan Bailey told Stover's mom and dad that they have “got to be proud of this guy” and that the All-Big Ten pass catcher is “playing his best ball right now.” It's the second consecutive year that Stover will serve as a Buckeye captain.
Captain Calls @cstov8 pic.twitter.com/R6oslOsDue
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 20, 2023
Eichenberg is now a two-time captain in his own right, and graduate assistant James Laurinaitis revealed that he was “by far the largest vote-getter” in the process. Laurinaitis said Eichenberg is “a blessing to coach” and that he “can't think of anybody more deserving” of the distinction.
Captain Calls @tommyike41 pic.twitter.com/Kiv4rBjw9g
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 20, 2023
As for "Block O" jersey recipient Xavier Johnson, the news of his captaincy was met with a flood of joy and excitement from his folks. Offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline explained that “individually, there's probably no greater honor than being selected by your peers to be a captain for the team.” Hartline said it is “such an honor to have him in our room“ and told Johnson's parents that the young wideout “has impacted more people” than they realize.
Captain Calls @J5Xavier pic.twitter.com/eZmkCEaY6G
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 20, 2023
Only a handful of practices remain before the three captains lead Ohio State into Bloomington for the season opener against Indiana on Sept. 2.
