Ohio State announced seven team captains on Saturday, highlighting veteran leadership on both sides of the ball for the Buckeyes.
The Ohio State football team announced a group of veterans as captains on Saturday. Payton Pierce, Kenyatta Jackson, Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, Austin Siereveld, Brandon Inniss, and Jaylen McClain are the team captains for the Buckeyes this Fall.
A lot of the talk around the Buckeyes this Spring and Fall surrounded having 51 new faces on the roster and the 11 NFL departures. To many, it may seem like Ohio State would trot out a young squad in a couple of weeks. However, the inexperience applies only to freshmen and transfers in the Scarlet and Gray.
Ryan Day and Ohio State Football announced seven team captains on Saturday, signifying the veteran leadership in Columbus. All seven players represent what it means to be a Buckeye and represent six of nine position groups, special teams notwithstanding.
“This is a significant day for our program. We have seven captains this year, the seventh time in Ohio State football history that we have had that many or more. Being voted a captain is one of the greatest honors in this program because it comes directly from your teammates. 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,” Ryan Day said in a statement.
Offensive Captains
Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith are two of the most talked-about players in College Football, but both were challenged to step up as leaders in 2026. Becoming a captain is evidence that they have accepted the assignment. Sayin continues to receive affirmation from his teammates and coaches, while Smith is notably regarded as the hardest worker on the team.
Brandon Inniss, also the 2026 Block O recipient, is another captain at wide receiver, whose veteran presence alongside Smith is essential in a young yet talented room. Austin Siereveld is the final offensive captain. While it is not yet known where he will start this season, between left tackle and right guard, Siereveld will be the anchor of Ohio State’s offensive line.
Defensive Captains
On the defensive side of the ball, Payton Pierce leads the way from the middle at linebacker. Pierce is somebody linebackers coach James Laurinaitis pointed to since December as a player he wanted to step up and lead this season. He was an auxiliary starter last year alongside high NFL Draft selections Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, and is vital to the Buckeyes’ success this Fall.
Kenyatta Jackson joins his teammates in leading the Buckeyes this season. His voice may not always be heard, but his presence will be felt on Saturdays. Jackson leads by example and has been integral to integrating transfers and freshmen into the Rushmen, the team, and the established culture. All signs are pointing to a breakout season from No. 2 this year.
Finally, Jaylen McClain holds it down on the back end of the defense. McClain played alongside Caleb Downs and saw the position and leadership modeled at the highest level. Coaches and teammates believe he has the upside to make an impact in his own way, following the same blueprint.
“Our culture is built on Tough Love & Fight, and these men embody that every day. Throughout the offseason, they helped bring this team, which includes 51 new plays from a year ago, together, challenged their teammates, and built accountability across the roster. Being a captain is about responsibility, and these seven understand what it means to wear the Scarlet and Gray and leave the jersey better than they found it,” Coach Day continued.
Difference Makers
Ohio State opens the season ranked No. 1 in the AP and Coaches Polls for the first time since 2015, staring down the barrel of the most difficult schedule in school history. The Buckeyes open the season against Ball State on September 5 and then travel to Austin for a showdown against No. 5 Texas on September 12.
Still, Ryan Day’s team has elite leadership from the sidelines to the field. Ohio State boasts a national champion head coach, two former NFL head coaches as coordinators, and seven trusted team captains. All of which could be the difference-maker against a grueling road to the postseason.
🚨TAILGATE TAKEOVER x TSB LIVE 🚨
Don’t miss the official season kickoff at @DICKS House of Sport on Saturday August 29th!
Join us at the Polaris location for access to new jerseys, tailgate activities, giveaways, and a live show brought to you by The Silver Bulletin. pic.twitter.com/R6v3McoR4E
— The Silver Bulletin (@tSilverBulletin) August 21, 2026
Join Us for TSB LIVE at DICK’s House of Sport’s Tailgate Takeover
Join us at DICK’s House of Sport in Polaris, OH, on Saturday, August 29, from 12-3 pm for a Tailgate Takeover to kick off football season! TSB LIVE returns for an on-site show with special guests previewing Ohio State’s 2026 season. You do not want to miss this event! Register here
NEXT: Read Brandon Inniss Earns Ohio State’s Block O Jersey for 2026 Season
Blake Biscardi serves as Co-Founder, Lead Reporter, and Senior Editor of The Silver Bulletin. He hosts the Buckeye Cadence podcast, where he breaks down Ohio State football and basketball with an inside look into the programs. Covering Julian Sayin in New York City in 2025 was his Heisman moment, which became a viral moment in its own right. Biscardi is a member of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and has degrees in Business Administration and Strategic Communication & Leadership.