Perseverance is when you keep trying to do or get something even when it’s hard, you fail, or you face opposition.
Since he moved to Ohio State in the summer of 2018, that word has been the best way to describe Kamryn Babb. He was a fast, smart kid from St. Louis who was about to get his first taste of life away from home.
Even though Babb tore his ACL during his senior year of high school, Ohio State’s coaching staff still gave him a scholarship. This was because Babb was the top-ranked wide receiver prospect in the Buckeyes’ 2018 class, and they had very high hopes for him.
Unfortunately for Babb, this was the first of many injuries that would stop him from playing football.
Babb didn’t play in either the 2018 or 2019 seasons because he tore his ACL twice. After a hard time getting better, he played in seven games in 2020, but only in a limited way.
Babb got back on the field in the spring of 2021, but bad luck struck again when he tore his ACL for the third time in his Buckeye career and fourth time overall.
In an interview with Cleveland.com in 2021, Babb said, “Some people will say, ‘OK, four ACLs, it’s time to give up.'” “But I know the God I serve, so I think, ‘Why not me?'”
Kamryn Babb has now suffered four torn ACLs dating back to his senior year of high school – left ACL twice, right ACL twice – but he isn't giving up.
“Nobody’s really been able to see what I know I can do … I do feel like I can still play at a very high level.“
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 26, 2021
Babb went into this season with that mindset and did everything he could to get back on the field. He went through another hard rehab process and earned the highest respect from his teammates. As a result, he was named team captain and won Ohio State’s Block O award, which was created two years ago to honor former All-American Bill Willis.
Many people, but not Babb himself, thought it was unlikely that he would get on the field and make a difference this season since he was playing behind a group of wide receivers who were among the best in the country.
On Saturday, the Buckeyes were up 49-14 over Indiana in the fourth quarter when Babb came into the game. What happened next could be remembered as one of Ohio State’s most exciting moments of the season.
With 8:52 left in the game, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud dropped back and threw a perfect pass to Babb in the end zone. It was Babb’s first catch in college, and it went for a touchdown, which was fitting.
Kamryn Babb in for SIX to extend the @OhioStateFB lead ‼️🔥 pic.twitter.com/RfZR72r4rM
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 12, 2022
The senior receiver threw his arms up in joy and ran to the back of the end zone, where he sat down in a prayer position. He fell down to the ground and then kissed the sky while looking up.
Stroud ran over to give his friend a hug, and soon the whole offense joined in the party. Coach Ryan Day of Ohio State threw up his hands, and Babb ran to the sidelines and into the arms of fellow wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Everyone on the Ohio State team came over to greet Babb. His teammates gave him hug after hug because they knew what he had to go through to get to this point.
During the broadcast, Gus Johnson of FOX Sports said, “It doesn’t matter who was on the field.” “Kamryn Babb got that play call.”
These reactions from the @OhioStateFB sideline after Kamryn Babb's TD ❤️ pic.twitter.com/RiT5wG49wf
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 12, 2022
After the game, Babb gave his mom an emotional hug and said it was a beautiful moment.
.@kamm_o hugs his mom after catching his first career touchdown pass. pic.twitter.com/17dOtqnyaI
— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) November 12, 2022
No matter how this season ends for No. 2-ranked Ohio State, which wants to win the national championship, what happened on Saturday in the ‘Shoe will be remembered for a long time.
Stroud said of Babb after the game, “He’s the most respected person on our team, and I’m just so proud of him.” “On this team, we support him, and he supports us.”
"He's the most respected on our team, and i'm just super proud of him… This team, we're behind him, and he's behind us."@JennyTaft talks with @CJ7STROUD about @kamm_o after a dominating performance 🙌 pic.twitter.com/xXReyikb7Z
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 12, 2022
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