Ohio State honored its most outstanding performers from its offseason program on Thursday night when it announced which Buckeyes earned Iron Buckeye honors for “unquestionable training dedication, determination, discipline, toughness, leadership and grind” this offseason.
Wide receivers Kamryn Babb and Julian Fleming, tight end Cade Stover, defensive end Tyler Friday, linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and safeties Ronnie Hickman and Kourt Williams were the seven players to receive the recognition after making the biggest impressions on Mickey Marotti and his strength and conditioning staff this offseason.
IRON. BUCKEYES. pic.twitter.com/U0gs4AtDYd
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 4, 2022
Notably, Babb and Friday make the list after missing all of last season with injuries while Fleming and Williams both make the list despite also battling injuries this spring. Ryan Day said Thursday that Fleming “had the best offseason he's had to this point,” and also named Stover as someone who had an “unbelievable summer.”
Day said players who earn Iron Buckeye honors during the summer often go on to make a big impact in the fall.
“When you look at the guys who have had those recognitions, the carryover on the field has been tremendous,” Day said. “It has a lot to do with accountability ... all the things that we ask you to do on the football field carry over to what Mick does in the offseason. It certainly doesn't guarantee you anything, but it gives you one heck of a chance.”
