Ohio State football is gearing up for the 2025 season, but this time, their approach is different. Despite being the defending champions, their focus is not on retaining that title. Head coach Ryan Day recently shared that while they are the reigning national champions, they are actively trying not to dwell on it.
This mindset feels like a cultural reset. Instead of living in the shadow of the past, the players are focused on writing their own story. They want to prove they belong at the top, not because of last year, but because of what they’re doing now.
How Are Ohio State Players Keeping Themselves Focused for 2025 Season?
In a recent interview with CBS Sports, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day shared a surprising development inside the Buckeyes’ locker room. The team’s leadership committee asked for the removal of national championship memorabilia from their facility. They felt they hadn’t earned those titles and wanted to focus on building their own legacy.
This bold move signals a cultural reset for the program. Rather than leaning on the success of past teams, the players want to build something new—something that belongs to them. He recalled the meeting, saying, “And the leaders from this year’s group asked, ‘Reinforce?'” There’s guys in this room that don’t even know what the culture is. You’ve gotta rebuild the culture.'”
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Players’ request to remove championship banners and trophies was one of the strongest indications of that mindset. “We didn’t win a national championship. The last group did,” they said. Ryan saw the change as a good sign. It meant his players were locked in and focused on the future—not stuck in the past.
So why are they so determined to make their own mark? One major reason is the roster changes.
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Ohio State’s new team looks very different from last year. Several key veterans have graduated or entered the NFL Draft, while a wave of new talent has stepped in. With fresh faces in big roles, the team sees the upcoming season as a chance to write their own story—not just continue someone else’s or their seniors’.
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