Ohio State has its next Block O representative, and the honor is going to a player who has steadily climbed the Buckeyes’ depth chart and leadership ladder.
Senior receiver Brandon Inniss will wear the jersey for the 2026 season, the program announced after its second scrimmage of preseason camp on Saturday. Coach Ryan Day made the case in a news release, calling Inniss “the right choice to wear the Block ‘O’ this season” and tying the selection to more than just production.
“Brandon is the right choice to wear the Block ‘O’ this season,” Day said in a news release. “It is an honor that represents much more than what a player does on the field. It represents toughness, accountability, and character, and Brandon has earned the respect of everyone in our building through the way he works, prepares and serves his teammates.
“He is now a two-time captain who understands what it means to wear the Scarlet and Gray and the responsibility that comes with this program. Brandon continues to grow as a leader, and he will represent the legacy of Bill Willis and everything the Block ‘O’ stands for the right way.”
Inniss came to Columbus in 2023 as a five-star prospect from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His first year brought limited action - 32 offensive snaps as a freshman - but he took on a larger role in his second season and worked his way into the receiver rotation behind Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka and Carnell Tate in 2024, helping Ohio State win its ninth national championship.
Last season, Inniss became a starter and finished with 36 catches for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Ohio State ran through the regular season undefeated before falling to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game and to Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Even with the option to enter the 2026 NFL Draft, Inniss chose to return for his senior year. He’s expected to start again this fall, with a chance to build on the numbers he posted a year ago.
At Big Ten Media Days last month, quarterback Julian Sayin praised what Inniss brings to the offense.
“He’s a great leader,” said quarterback Julian Sayin at Big Ten Media Days last month. “He’s a really talented player.
Somebody who is one of the hardest working guys in the building, is somebody who our offense is very lucky to have. He plays multiple positions, he does a lot of different things for us.
It’s awesome to have him.”
The Block O tradition began in 2020 and is rooted in honoring Bill Willis. Willis starred at defensive end for Ohio State from 1942-44, won a national championship, earned All-American honors and later broke the color barrier in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns.
His No. 99 is retired by Ohio State, and he has been inducted into both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.
Jonathon Cooper was the first Buckeye to wear the No. 0 in Willis’ honor. Since then, Thayer Munford, Kamryn Babb, Xavier Johnson, Cody Simon and Sonny Styles have been selected to carry the tradition.
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