Mason Wilhelm’s Buckeye Journey: Earning His Own Legacy at Ohio State
At Ohio State, nothing is handed out - not even if your last name already echoes through the halls of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. That’s the case for Mason Wilhelm, a three-star offensive lineman who’s about to follow in some pretty legendary footsteps.
His father, Matt Wilhelm, helped bring a national championship to Columbus in 2002 and later won a Super Bowl with the Packers. But for Mason, the goal has always been clear: earn it, don’t inherit it.
Now, the Westlake native is just days away from officially becoming a Buckeye, with plans to sign his national letter of intent on December 3. And while the family name carries weight in Columbus, Mason is determined to carve out his own identity in scarlet and gray.
“I do not want to be known as Matt Wilhelm’s son,” Mason said. “I want to create a name for myself and prove people wrong at Ohio State.”
That mindset has been building for years. Matt Wilhelm, originally from Lorain, won the Golden Helmet Award in 1998 at Elyria Catholic before going on to a Hall of Fame career at Ohio State.
He was a leader on that 2002 national title team and went on to play in the NFL, including a Super Bowl win in Green Bay. But despite the accolades, Matt made it clear to his son: nothing at Ohio State comes without putting in the work.
“This is a challenge that Mason has had in the back of his head,” Matt said. “But we really wanted to earn this opportunity and not have it be given.”
Mason’s path hasn’t been a straight line. He originally committed to North Carolina under Bill Belichick, even as the Tar Heels struggled through a 2-5 campaign.
As the season wore on, other schools came knocking - especially those who had recruited him before. And when things weren’t clicking in Chapel Hill, those conversations picked back up.
One of those schools was Ohio State. Offensive line coach Tyler Bowen had stayed in contact throughout the process, and during a playoff bye week for St.
Edward, he made it official - the Buckeyes were offering Mason a spot. For Mason, that offer was more than just a dream come true.
It was validation.
“I wanted to be a Buckeye as a kid because my dad was there,” Mason said. “But I also wanted to do it in a way where I wasn’t being given the offer because of my dad. I wanted to deserve it.”
Once the offer came in, it didn’t take long for Mason to flip. He became part of a wave of recruits who changed their commitments to Ohio State, joining a strong group that included four-star prospects like Jay Timmons (Florida State), Emanuel Ruffin (Colorado), Legend Bey (Tennessee), Dre Quinn (Clemson), Braxton Rembert (Wake Forest), and three-star Darryus McKinley (LSU).
“They know that Ohio football is so great that they are trying to get all these Ohio guys,” Mason said. “What Ohio State is doing in their program is developing. The national championship last year and all the players they’re producing - if you get an offer, it’s something you have to take advantage of.”
Mason’s first game-day experience as a committed Buckeye came during Ohio State’s dominant 48-10 win over UCLA. For his father, it was a full-circle moment - watching his son prepare to step into the same stadium, in the same uniform, with the same fanbase roaring behind him.
“Watching the team run onto the field and knowing that he is going to wear that uniform, play in front of his fanbase, with the pride of Ohio behind him… it was very surreal,” Matt said. “Now that my son gets to enjoy that same environment and play in front of that crowd means a lot.”
Matt has been there for every step of Mason’s journey - not just as a father, but as a coach. He joined the St.
Edward staff as the defensive line coach, which means he’s been going head-to-head with his son in practice. That’s right - dad coaches the D-line, son holds the line on offense.
And while Matt is coaching up the defense, he admits he’s always sneaking a glance at the offense to watch Mason in action.
“I love teaching, I love winning, and I love competing,” Matt said. “The opportunity I’m most grateful for is to be close to Mason and watch him. I wear both hats the best I can while also taking care of my job.”
Matt Wilhelm’s post-playing career has also included honoring high school talent in the region. Since 2016, he’s lent his name to The Morning Journal’s Player of the Year award, given annually to a standout from Lorain County. The most recent winner, North Ridgeville’s Cole Miller, became the 10th recipient of the award - a reflection of how deeply the Wilhelm name continues to resonate in Ohio football circles.
Still, for Mason, the mission is simple: build his own name, earn his own snaps, and leave his own legacy in Columbus. The last name may open a few doors, but it’s the work that will keep them open.
And if the Buckeyes are getting the same kind of grit, football IQ, and toughness that Matt once brought to the field - but in a new generation’s frame - then Ohio State fans have every reason to be excited about what’s coming next in the trenches.