Cody Simon

HISTORY — From College Profile

Ohio State Overview

• Cody is an experienced, veteran linebacker who is in his fifth season with the program

• He is the most experienced linebacker on the team and will be looked at as a leader of his unit in 2024

• He has played in 44 games and started 15 times with 10 starts during the 2021 season and five in 2023

• Enters 2024 with 147 career tackles and 11 tackles-for-loss 

• Ranked fourth on the team in tackles in 2023 with 57

• His 57 tackles, 24 solo stops and 33 assists were all career high totals

• Recorded a career-high 12 tackles in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl vs. Missouri

• Had nine assisted tackles against Rutgers and eight total tackles vs. Purdue 

• Ranked seventh on the team in 2022 in tackles with 32 after ranking fourth in 2021 with 54 total tackles

• Also contributed a career-high 5.5 tackles-for-loss in 2022 for minus-21 yards

• Had eight tackles vs. Nebraska in 2021 and had seven vs. Minnesota, Maryland and Michigan

• Recorded is first career interception against Akron in 2021

• Did not play in the Rose Bowl vs. Utah because of injury, and also sat out the 2022 spring season while recovering

• Played in six games as a true freshman in 2020, finding a role on special teams while also providing depth at linebacker

• Is a Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholar, a four-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and a three-time Academic all-Big Ten honoree who has graduated with his degree in finance and is currently working on a master's degree in human development and family services

Honors & Awards

2023: Graduated in December with his degree in finance, Big Ten Conference Distinguished Scholar, OSU Scholar-Athlete; Academic all-Big Ten Conference 

2022: OSU Scholar-Athlete; Academic all-Big Ten Conference 

2021: OSU Scholar-Athlete; Academic all-Big Ten Conference  

2020: OSU Scholar-Athlete

HIGH SCHOOL

• The No. 9-rated outside linebacker nationally and No. 3 player in the state of New Jersey

• A composite four-star prospect by 247Sports.com

• Played for St. Peter’s Prep in Jersey City, N.J. for head coach Rich Hansen

• The fourth top-five prospect from New Jersey to sign with Ohio State in a two-year period (Tyler Friday, Ronnie Hickman and Luke Wypler are the others)

• Made nine tackles and had a 70-yard punt return for touchdown in St. Peter’s 21-14 win over Don Bosco Prep in the Non-Public Group IV state championship game

• During his junior season in 2018, had 89 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks

• Also had an interception – which he returned for a touchdown – to go along with four passes defended, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries

• Earned linebacker MVP honors at the Opening New Jersey Regional

PERSONAL

• Is the son of Amy Ellis