Ohio State has seven captains for the 2026 season. But the number was not really the interesting part. Kirk Herbstreit saw something else. Ryan Day’s Buckeyes brought back their “Captain Calls” tradition, where newly elected captains get the news delivered to their families by a coach. It is a small touch, but it turns a team announcement into a family moment.
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“Special! Love this tradition of calling the newly elected captains parents,” Kirk Herbstreit posted while sharing a video of WRs coach Cortez Hankton calling Jeremiah Smith’s father.
It’s easy to see why the tradition appeals. Cortez Hankton was not calling just to announce that Jeremiah Smith had been voted captain. He wanted his family to understand what the honor meant within the Ohio State program. The coach explained that JJ had been emotional after learning his teammates had chosen him.
“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 and grace and does his job at a high level. But to be named the captain, it means a lot to him. I want you to know that. We’re all proud of him.”
Jeremiah Smith’s father, meanwhile, had the reaction you would expect from a proud parent. He thanked God and praised his son for the work that had gone into reaching this point. That was the clip that caught Kirk Herbstreit’s eye. The former Ohio State QB called JJ “1 of 1,” but the praise was not only about what the WR does with a football. Like Cortez, he also pointed specifically to Smith’s humility and work ethic.
That distinction matters at Ohio State. Players vote for their captains, so the honor is not simply another line on a resume. It shows how teammates see them when the cameras are gone. And the Buckeyes have a pretty good group.
Jeremiah Smith is one of seven captains. The program’s Captain Calls videos gave each player his own moment. There’s WR Brandon Inniss, whom Hankton praised for his character and toughness. Larry Johnson spoke about DE Kenyatta Jackson Jr.’s perseverance, noting that he stayed the course and earned the reward. For Jaylen McClain, safeties coach Matt Guerrieri talked about how proudly he represents his family and now gets to represent Ohio State as well.
James Laurinaitis praised LB Payton Pierce for the way he carries himself and represents his last name. QBs coach Billy Fessler pointed to Julian Sayin’s growth, saying the QB has found his voice and now plays with command and fire. OL coach Tyler Bowen had a simple message for Austin Siereveld’s family, saying, “I couldn’t do it without him and these guys. You’ve got a good one here.”
Those calls are the real heart of the tradition. And before they led the top-ranked Ohio State into another season, their families got the news first. That is a pretty good way to start a leadership story.