Ohio State football linebacker Cody Simon: 3 things you need to know before 2024 season

Cody Simon is in his fifth year at Ohio State.

Using the extra year of eligibility given to all players as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, he held off on leaving for the NFL last winter.

Here is what to know about Simon, the Buckeyes’ most experienced linebacker, as they open their season against Akron on Aug. 31.

Cody Simon projects to start at middle linebacker at Ohio State

When Tommy Eichenberg forwent using his bonus COVID-19 year of eligibility, the departure opened a spot on the depth chart.

It won’t be a new role.

Simon was the Buckeyes’ starting middle linebacker for most of 2021 and filled in for Eichenberg in three out of the last four games last fall.

“He’s the unquestioned leader of the group,” linebackers coach James Laurinaitis said. "He’s the leader of the defense.”

Shoulder surgery set Cody Simon back at Ohio State

A torn labrum in Simon’s right shoulder sidelined him in late 2021 and required surgery.

The procedure limited him in spring practice months later and allowed Eichenberg to surpass him on the depth chart in the aftermath of a breakout performance in the Rose Bowl in which he totaled 17 tackles.

The move to a base defense with only two linebackers following the hiring of Jim Knowles as defensive coordinator also limited his role, though he still managed to play 610 snaps while rotating the last two years, according to Pro Football Focus' tally.

Cody Simon comes from an athletic family

His older brother, Shayne Simon, is going through training camp in the NFL with the Buffalo Bills.

Shayne Simon had been the starting middle linebacker at Pittsburgh after transferring to the school from Notre Dame in 2022.

Both parents participated in sports in college as well. Their father, Mike Simon, played rugby at Army, and mother, Amy Ellis, ran on the track-and-field team at Michigan.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @joeyrkaufman or email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com.

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football roster: Get to know Cody Simon before 2024 season