Ohio State Names Seven Captains for 2026 Season
Ohio State football announced its seven captains for the 2026 season on Saturday, following the team's second scrimmage of preseason camp. The selections, revealed in a news release from the university, include a mix of returning starters, a fifth-year veteran, and a group of juniors stepping into expanded leadership roles.
The captains are: Kenyatta Jackson (fifth-year defensive end), Austin Siereveld (senior offensive lineman), Brandon Inniss (senior wide receiver), Jeremiah Smith (junior wide receiver), Julian Sayin (junior quarterback), Jaylen McClain (junior safety), and Payton Pierce (junior linebacker).
A Vote of Teammates
Coach Ryan Day emphasized the significance of the honor, which is determined by a vote of the players. "Being voted a captain is one of the greatest honors in this program because it comes directly from your teammates," Day said in a news release. "This group represents our team well, with leaders from different position groups, backgrounds, and experiences. All seven are returning players, including two captains from last year, and they understand our standard and what it means to carry our culture forward."
This marks the seventh time Ohio State has named seven captains for a season, and the first since 2020. Siereveld and Inniss are now two-time captains, having been selected in 2025. Inniss also received the Block O jersey, an honor given to only the third wide receiver in program history.
Key Storylines Among the Captains
Several captains carry notable storylines into the season. Julian Sayin is entering his third season with the Buckeyes and his second as Day's starting quarterback. He is the only returning Heisman Trophy finalist from the 2025 season.
Jeremiah Smith, widely regarded as the top player in college football, collected 1,315 receiving yards as a freshman and added 1,243 as a sophomore. Over his first two seasons, he has recorded 163 receptions for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns, ranking seventh in program history in receptions, eighth in receiving yards, and fifth in receiving touchdowns.
Jaylen McClain, who became a starter last year, will have a larger role on and off the field this season, now that Caleb Downs has departed for the NFL. Kenyatta Jackson, who recorded 6.5 sacks last year, stepped out of his comfort zone as a leader, according to cleveland.com. Payton Pierce, who was the third linebacker behind Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles — both first-round picks — is expected to start this season alongside Wisconsin transfer Christian Alliegro.
'Captain Calls' Tradition
Beyond the announcement itself, Ohio State brought back its "Captain Calls" tradition, in which newly elected captains share the news with their families via a phone call from their position coaches. The moments were documented by the university and shared publicly.
The tradition drew praise from ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, who posted, "Special! Love this tradition of calling the newly elected captains parents." Herbstreit, a former Ohio State quarterback, also called Smith "1 of 1," praising his humility and work ethic.
Wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton made the call to Jeremiah Smith's father, Chris, and described the moment. "I'm going to tell you how much it means to him," Hankton said. "This young dude over here had tears of joy afterwards. Just when he was named and when he found out how much he means to his teammates. He walks around every day with a sense of humility, man, and grace, and does his job at a high level. But to be named the captain, it means a lot to him."
Chris Smith's reaction was emotional. "I give, I give, oh, praise the Lord for all the, and Jeremiah for the hard work he has put in. I'm proud of him. Very proud," he said through the call. He added, "Put in work, man. Being a leader and by yourself- those are the words. And I love it."
Day also reflected on Smith's growth, saying, "He's grown up emotionally... He's like a cult hero." Smith himself acknowledged the responsibility, saying, "I'm trying to make everybody around me better..."
Looking Ahead
Ohio State is replacing 11 starters from last year's team, including four top-12 draft picks. The roster includes 51 new players from a year ago. Day noted in a statement on Instagram, "Our culture is built on tough love and fight..."
Under Day, Ohio State has reached double-digit wins in every season except 2020, with back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances and a 2024 national championship. The Buckeyes open their 2026 season on Sept. 5 against Ball State.