OSU not only develops elite football talent but also shapes its players into well-rounded individuals beyond the field. The ‘Pay It Forward’ principle makes the Ohio State community different from the rest of college football. At a time when spring practice is in full swing, Tavien St. Clair, Luke Montgomery, and their Ohio State teammates had a more urgent mission on Thursday.

Tavien St. Clair, Luke Montgomery, and nearly 20 other Buckeyes made an appearance at Versiti’s blood drive at Ohio Stadium on Thursday afternoon. Through a video, Montgomery helped spread the life-saving message about blood donation to the OSU community. The effort was led by a large group of volunteers, including offensive linemen like Carson Hinzman and Gabe VanSickle, who helped organize the event.

Founded in 2019, the Versiti Blood Center of Ohio provides blood products and specialty laboratory services through a partnership with the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. They frequently host community blood drives, and this time, OSU players have the opportunity to help save lives in Columbus.

“It’s awesome because all these people here, when they donate blood, they’re saving three lives. It’s awesome to see people come together and like, for a good cause,” VanSickle told Eleven Warriors.

But the service wasn’t without reward. All donors received a free ticket to the spring game and were entered to win a helmet or football signed by Ryan Day. OSU has a long history of organizing major blood drives. The most prominent recurring event is the Annual Blood Battle, a month-long competition between OSU and Michigan to collect the most blood donations leading up to their annual football game, a tradition since 1982. In 2025, the Buckeyes secured their fourth consecutive victory and collected 1,725 units of blood.

The donations weren’t just symbolic; they directly supported local patients in need. In fact, OSU has a deep connection with the organization because the Versiti director of donor services, Joe Gantz, is a former Buckeye. From 2005 to 2010, he was a walk-on RB when Jim Tressel was OSU’s head coach. However, after his football career ended, Gantz became a nurse and served in this noble cause for 7 years, working in the emergency room. So he knows the value of a blood donation camp.

“The biggest part about giving blood is the impact that it makes in the community,” said Gantz. “So, with Versiti, since we’re the sole blood provider for the OSU Wexner and James Medical Center, all the blood we collect stays local right here. That one donation can save up to three lives and can make a massive impact.”

For Gantz, returning to Ohio Stadium after more than a decade brought another level of emotion. Seeing the current players serve such a meaningful cause filled Gantz with pride, reinforcing his belief that the program’s core values remain as strong as ever.

“Getting to come back here, get to hear some of the guys and some of the things that are the same, some of the things that have changed is neat,” said Gantz. “And it’s just fun to still be a part of that. Like, you graduate, but you’re always still a part of that brotherhood, and you’re kind of tied for life. So I’ll be a Buckeye until I die.”

However, not only current players but also former players remain connected to this program and continue to serve a greater cause.

Former OSU players are also giving back

OSU’s legacy lives in the way its players keep showing up for their communities long after the final whistle. That spirit is on full display through the journeys of Roy Hall Jr., DeVier Posey, Braxton Miller, and Drew Basil. Their message echoes across generations of Buckeyes, and leading that charge, Hall is rallying fellow alumni to step forward as Challenge Captains for the Team Tressel Fitness Challenge.

Former Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel launched the initiative. The goal is to help young students build lifelong habits. “Football may have introduced us to the world,” wrote Hall. “But real leadership is revealed in how you serve the world after the applause dies down.”

With more than 100 former student-athletes already participating and hundreds of schools involved statewide, the effort reflects the continued growth of Buckeye culture. While Hall is serving by leading a non-profit organization, Miller is investing in youth through Springfield Sports Academy. Then Posey is advancing mental health advocacy, and Basil is shaping the next generation as a special-teams coach.

“Life is not supposed to be lived only for yourself,” added Hall. “The goal is not just to talk about values—the goal is to live them in a way that helps somebody else.”