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Why Ohio State football’s Cody Simon is so revered he’s described as a future president

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Why Ohio State football’s Cody Simon is so revered he’s described as a future president

DALLAS – Not many college football players have a career like Cody Simon has.

Even rarer are ones who earn the kind of praise the linebacker does now as his Ohio State career approaches its end.

“Cody Simon is a future president of the United States,” defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said after Ohio State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal rout of Oregon in the Rose Bowl. “He’s an unbelievable human being and a great team leader.”

Simon is a fifth-year senior who earned his degree in finance 13 months ago as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.

But only this year did Simon become a full-time starter, though Knowles said he was as good as multi-year starters Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers.

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“He never complained, never said a word,” he said. “He’s really an old-school guy when it comes to being a football player.”

Simon said he never considered transferring.

“Definitely the new age of college football, it’s more (name, image and likeness) money than loyalty, I guess,” Simon said. “But I love Ohio State. I love coach (Ryan) Day. That’s one thing about our team. We all ride for him. I built so many good, life-long-lasting relationships with these guys I’ve been a part of. I didn’t want to go anywhere else.”

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Simon is held in such esteem that he wears the No. 0 jersey as this year’s Block O recipient, given to the team’s most inspirational player.

What has made Simon’s season particularly gratifying is that he has developed into a bona fide star and not just a leader. He was the defensive MVP of the Rose Bowl after having 11 tackles, including two sacks and another tackle for loss. Simon leads the team with 97 tackles heading into Friday’s Cotton Bowl CFP semifinal against Texas.

“I think the way he plays is the product of him doing everything the right way,” said junior linebacker Sonny Styles. “He’s a great athlete and has great instincts.”

Styles switched from safety to linebacker this season. He credited Simon for aiding in that transition.

“I think the thing that sticks out to me about him is the kind of person he is,” Styles said. “He’s one of the best people you’ll ever meet. He does everything the right way, how it’s supposed to be done, and he’s getting the fruits of his labor.”

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As for Knowles’ future president prediction, Simon shrugged it off with a sheepish grin. For one, he said he’s not that into politics.

“I try not to let it go to my head,” he said with a sheepish grin. “Coach Knowles is one of the best football masterminds I’ve ever been around. For him to stay stuff like that, I appreciate him a lot. We have gone through some tough times here, but we’ve made it through and we’re trying to go win the whole thing now.”

Knowles considers Simon a coach on the field with the ability to almost read his mind and translate it to teammates.

“You come across a young man now and then who has not only talent but a demeanor of leadership and calm during the storm,” he said. “He’s smart, but he’s also calm in the critical moments.

“And he always wants to do better. If something goes wrong, he takes responsibility. He’s really everything you’d want in a leader.”

Entering the season, Simon was considered a solid player but not a star on the level of defensive ends Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau or safety Caleb Downs.

But his teammates give him much of the credit for OSU ranking at or near the top in almost every significant category.

“He’s absolutely the most trustworthy person on the team,” safety Jordan Hancock said. “Whatever Cody says, we know it is coming from a good heart and a good spirit, and we can go out and follow him anytime.”

The Buckeyes are doing just that, and they hope it leads to a national championship.

“We’re just fighting to get another opportunity to play with each other,” Simon said. “This could be our last one, but if we do everything we need to do, we’ll get another one. That’s our biggest motivator. We just want to stay together. We don’t want to end this run right now.”

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