Up until four days ago, Ohio State planned to honors its seniors on Saturday.
That plan remains in place. Yet instead of doing so on the field before the game with Michigan, the outgoing Buckeyes are being recognized with a virtual Senior Day instead of an in-person Senior Day due to the cancellation of The Game.
Family members of each Ohio State player going through the Senior Day festivities sent videos to the football program. So, we've compiled all of the messages that were posted on social media throughout the day here.
Although our seniors can't run out of the tunnel at The Shoe one last time today, they deserve so much recognition for all theyve given & accomplished.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
So throughout the day, well honor them with a virtual Senior Day. Thank you for everything.#BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/5Sff1TqxN1
Offensive guard Wyatt Davis
To @wyattdavis53: What a ride it has been. You have left it all out there for your brothers, and you have left this program so much better off for having been a part of it. Thank you. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/SB812uBqBV
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Center Josh Myers
To @josh_myers71: What you see is what you get, and what we have seen is nothing but an authentic, relentless, driven man. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for your toughness. Thank you for everything. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/vgUtdPfQst
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Defensive End Jonathon Cooper
To @JonathonCooper7: What can we possibly say? You've made this team better. You've made your community better. You've made all of us better for having known you.
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Thank you for your perseverance. Thank you for your legacy. Its a real one. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/faoeccLtws
Linebacker Justin Hilliard
To @JHilliard47: Wow. What a journey. So many times you could have given up, but each time you persevered & came out better. There is no amount of gratitude that would suffice for everything you have meant to us. Thank you. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/kbEZnC5k0I
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Linebacker Pete Werner
To @petewerner23: Your growth as a football player & as a man has been remarkable to watch. Your future is incredibly bright. Thank you for all you have given to our program. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/mBQiYP2X1v
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Linebacker Tuf Borland
To @Tuf_Borland: There have been ups. There have been downs. But through it all, you have remained level-headed, driven & tough. To only the 2nd 3-time captain in Ohio State history, thank you for all you have left on the field for the Buckeyes. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/OumNlsfCwk
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Linebacker Baron Browning
To @baronbrwnng: Everyone sees the plays you make on the field, but not everyone has the pleasure of knowing the man you are off of it. We are so proud to have gotten to call you a Buckeye. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/7zQtVehpsR
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Left tackle Thayer Munford
To @TMunford75: All you have ever done is proved people wrong. Your success on & off the field is the result of immense dedication & hard work, but it is only the beginning of all you have coming your way. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/xgVuSyslDm
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Tight End Luke Farrell
To @LukeFarrell89: Everything you have done has been for the good of the team & you've never asked for recognition. We are indebted to you for all you have given us. You are an example to future Buckeyes for years to come. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/7KJfjoHiaT
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Running back Trey Sermon
To @treyera: You were asked to provide leadership & work ethic, and you have far exceeded that request. Thank you for everything you brought to this program. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/AoNboGwvRR
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Punter Drue Chrisman
To @DChrisman91: You are the best in the country at what you do, and we could not be more grateful for all you have put into this program. You have changed the game for us in more ways than one. Thanks for all the laughs, memories, and moments! #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/TD42MGskOZ
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Kicker Blake Haubeil
To @blakehaubeil95: The dedication you have for your brothers is inspiring. Thank you for everything youve given to The Brotherhood. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/p47KN7UqAI
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Defensive Tackle Antwuan Jackson Jr.
To @Hercules__52: Through thick & thin, youve given us everything you had. Your dedication has not gone unnoticed. Thanks for everything, Antwuan! #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/FydgETh5Rj
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Tight End Jake Hausmann
To @Jake_Hausmann: All youve ever done is worked hard & given us exactly what weve asked for. You have made a lasting impact on this team, and we could not be more appreciative for all youve done. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/ixYiPoKciT
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Quarterback Gunnar Hoak
To @GunnarHoak12: You are a Buckeye, through & through. Thank you for everything youve given to this program. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/tXC0VZnha6
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Offensive Guard Gavin Cupp
To @gavin_cupp: You have battled through adversity yet remained strong throughout it all. We are all better for having been around you. Thank you for everything youve given us. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/SWCANuYwvw
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Walk-on Offensive Lineman Nathan Brock
To @natebrock50: Through your work ethic & unwavering loyalty, you have left a lasting impact on your teammates & this program. Thank you for all youve done. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/N0Pcmq5928
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Walk-on linebacker Trayvon Wilburn
To @_BigTray_: When we think about what you have done for our program, one word comes to mind: Character. We would not be where we are today without you. Thank you. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/vlObnPhSgc
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Walk-on safety Kevin Dever
To Kevin Dever: No matter what was asked of you, you always answered the call. We appreciate everything you have sacrificed for the Buckeyes. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/NiPNUllOjy
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Walk-on cornerback Darryl Sinclair
To @dsinclairII: You can tell what a person has meant to a program by the relationships hes been able to build. You have done that so many times over. We are so grateful for all you have given to our program. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/YaMRL50EuM
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
Walk-on punter Zach Hoover
To @zhoover23: We have felt the love you have for this team, and that will always be remembered. Thank you for all you have done for The Brotherhood. #BuckeyeSeniorDay #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/60F3Y0KQmk
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 12, 2020
While Josh Myers and Wyatt Davis were honored on Senior Day even though they're fourth-year juniors, there were also some players who are listed as seniors on Ohio State's roster who were not included in the Buckeyes' virtual Senior Day posts on Saturday, including defensive tackle Haskell Garrett, cornerback Marcus Williamson, wide receiver/running back Demario McCall and wide receiver Jaylen Harris.
Because every player has the option to come back for another season in 2021 with the NCAA giving players a free year of eligibility, Ryan Day said this week that Ohio State let the players decide whether they wanted to be recognized on Senior Day.
“When we went through the list, it really wasn’t that much of an issue,” Day said. “There was a couple guys that decided they wanted to, a couple guys that decided they didn’t, so we just kind of let them decide. But it was only a few. Most of the guys, it actually fit pretty good.”
