Payton Pierce Got More Captain Votes Than Jeremiah Smith

Ohio State just named seven captains for the 2026 season — and the leading vote-getter might surprise you. According to linebackers coach James Laurinaitis, junior linebacker Payton Pierce received more votes than any other player on the roster, edging out superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. In this episode, we break down what this vote says about Pierce's standing in the locker room, his path from rotational player to first-year starter at middle linebacker, and why Ohio State handing out seven captain honors — the most since 2020 — reveals a lot about this team's leadership heading into 2026. Topics covered: Payton Pierce, Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State captains, Ryan Day, Julian Sayin, Ohio State linebackers, Big Ten football, Buckeyes 2026 season. New episodes drop regularly — subscribe so you never miss an update on Ohio State football, recruiting, and Big Ten news.