If you were around the Woody Hayes Athletic Center between 2009 and 2012, you probably heard stories that sounded more like tall tales than actual football reporting. Stories about a guy who woke up at 4:30 in the morning every single day. A guy who benched 225 pounds nearly 50 times. A guy who Urban Meyer once said he’d name his own son after.
That guy was John Simon.
Honestly, it’s hard to overstate how much john simon ohio state culture shifted because of one kid from Youngstown. He wasn't the biggest defensive end. He definitely wasn't the fastest. But he became the heartbeat of a program during its most turbulent transition in modern history.
The Freak of Youngstown
John Simon didn't just stumble into being strong. It was basically a family tradition. His dad, also John, was a legendary lifter in his own right. By the time the younger Simon was in fourth grade, he was already nagging his father to let him into the gym.
By high school at Cardinal Mooney, he was a "grown man" in a teenager's body.
Most people know the 225-pound bench press test from the NFL Combine. Most elite college players hit it 20 or 25 times. John Simon once claimed he did it 48 times. 48. Let that sink in. He was squatting 700 pounds while most kids his age were still trying to figure out how to use a washing machine.
But here’s the thing: Simon hated being called just a "weight room warrior." He told reporters back in 2009 that he only lifted to be a better football player. He didn't want the gym exploits to overshadow what he did on Saturdays.
Why John Simon Ohio State Fans Will Never Forget 2012
The 2012 season was weird for the Buckeyes. They were undefeated but banned from postseason play because of the "Tattoo-gate" scandal. Most teams would have folded. They had nothing to play for—no Big Ten title, no bowl game, nothing.
Urban Meyer had just arrived, and he was looking for a leader. He found it in number 54.
There’s a famous story from that year after a close win against Cal. Simon had a busted shoulder. He shouldn't have even been playing. But he did. After the game, he completely lost it in the locker room—sobbing, pouring his soul out to his teammates about how much he loved them.
Meyer was stunned. He famously asked if they could put a jersey up in his office just for Simon. To this day, Meyer talks about Simon in the same breath as Tim Tebow. He calls them "the elite of the elite."
Career Accolades at a Glance
- 2012 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
- 2012 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year
- Two-time Captain (only the seventh in school history at the time)
- Third-team All-American (2011)
- 154 total tackles and 20.5 sacks over four years.
Simon wasn't a "finesse" pass rusher. He didn't have a 40-inch vertical. He just moved people. He played with a "motor" that literally never stopped. If you watch old film of him, he’s the guy chasing a running back 30 yards downfield even when the play is clearly over.
The "Tweener" Label and the NFL
When it came time for the NFL Draft, the scouts were confused.
At 6-foot-1 and about 260 pounds, he was too small for a traditional defensive end and maybe a bit "stiff" for a linebacker. He was what they call a "tweener." He fell to the fourth round, where the Baltimore Ravens snagged him.
His NFL journey was a grind, which suited him perfectly. He went from Baltimore to Houston, then Indianapolis, and finally found a real home with the New England Patriots.
Bill Belichick loved him. Of course he did. Simon is the ultimate "Do Your Job" player. He ended up winning a ring in Super Bowl LIII. He finished a nine-year NFL career with 21 sacks and 283 tackles—not bad for a guy people said didn't have a "pro position."
The Legacy of the 4:30 AM Club
If you talk to current Buckeyes, the name John Simon still carries weight. He’s the standard for what a "Youngstown guy" looks like. Tough. Silent. Relentless.
He taught a generation of Ohio State players that leadership isn't about the pre-game speech. It’s about the 5:00 AM workout on a Tuesday in February when nobody is watching.
He didn't care about the Heisman or the flashy stats. He cared about the "Brotherhood."
How to apply the Simon Mindset today
You don't have to bench 400 pounds to learn from Simon. His career offers a blueprint for anyone trying to overachieve in a competitive environment:
- Consistency over Intensity: Simon worked out every single day, including Christmas. It wasn't about one big lift; it was about never missing.
- Lead by Doing: He didn't just tell freshmen to work hard. He dragged them to the gym at 6:00 AM on Sundays.
- Vulnerability Matters: That locker room speech in 2012 showed that the "toughest guy" is the one who isn't afraid to show his teammates how much he cares.
John Simon might not have his number retired in the Shoe, but he's one of the few players who literally changed the trajectory of the program. He helped Urban Meyer bridge the gap from the Tressel era to the modern powerhouse Ohio State is today.
Next time you see a Buckeye defensive end making a play through sheer effort, just know they’re probably chasing the ghost of number 54.
To truly understand his impact, go back and watch the 2012 Wisconsin game. Simon had four sacks in that game despite being double-teamed half the night. That’s the John Simon experience in a nutshell.