Buckeye Brotherhood: How Ohio State Navigated a New World to Win a National Championship

by Bill Rabinowitz

The definitive chronicle of the Ohio State Buckeyes' 2024 college football championship season In  Buckeye Brotherhood, Bill Rabinowitz (The Chase) takes readers inside the Ohio State Buckeye's legendary run to their first national championship in a decade. Navigating a new world for college football, featuring conference realignments, NIL deals, and a brand new playoff format, OSU shook off disappointing regular season losses and came together when it mattered most. Featuring in-depth reporting and an unforgettable cast of characters— including newcomers Caleb Downs, Will Howard, and Jeremiah Smith alongside experienced Buckeyes Emeka Egbuka and Jack Sawyer— this is the story of how the team built their own brand of football, silenced their critics, and returned championship glory to The Ohio State University.

Genres: Nonfiction

Hardcover

Published October 21, 2025

Reviews

[Frank Bonfiglio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever! Thank you, Champions!

[Dylan Costanzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 star rating (sorry I love reading more than you.)

I admit I am a little biased and I would be very surprised if any of my goodreads friends picked this book up, but this actually did surpass my expectations. This book does a great job including lots of previously untold perspectives and stories of players and coaches of the 2024 Buckeyes and weaving them into the story of their championship season. Ryan Day and his family particularly give incredibly honest quotes that capture just how stressful and rewarding that year truly was for them. A great book that gave a great story the medium it deserved.

[Courtney Kemmerling · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing in these types of books is always shockingly bad, but I do love reliving the natty run

[Debby Fielding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

A really accurate story of the life of players and FANS. I had alot of arguments with folks who wanted Coach Day fired after the TCUN lose, I kept the perspective that they are my Buckeyes win or lose ( no more draw). Let's just say I spent many days and nights in anguish over this season but the playoff run and Jack's scoop and score made alot of folks remember why we love our Buckeyes!! I remember seeing Jack on crutches at a Buckeye wrestling match during the winter of his senior year at Pick North and admiring his smile when he could have been saying Why Me? To the TEAM I say job well done! Go BUCKS!!!
Debby's partner in Buckeye Fandom for 51 wonderful years,
Willie

[Garrett Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely cherished reading every page of this one. It was special reading a behind the scenes to the season that I got the witness in person culminate in a National Championship.

As with every team, there were so many individual stories of hardships both on and off the field across the 2024 Buckeyes. Multiple players dealing with suicidal thoughts and Carnell Tate losing his mother were the biggest ones discussed.

Always liked Ryan Day, but this book made me gain even more respect for him as a family man, mental health advocate, and dedicated role model to all the young players and staff that he has a direct impact on day in and day out (pun intended).

This book is going to be an all-timer for me 🌰

[Randy Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must have for any Ohio State fan

Inside story of Ohio State’s remarkable run to become the first team to be National Champions in the 12 team playoff era. This is the inside story of the 2024 season told through the eyes of the players and coaches. This is a team that went through the highest of the highs (winning the national championship) and lowest of the lows (losing to hated rival Michigan as a 19 point favorite) and this is well conveyed by the author and makes for a compelling read even if you’re not a die hard Buckeye fan. The seniors who stuck it out never got a pair of “gold pants” but they did get a National Championship ring.

[Karl Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this recap of the 2025 National Championship run by the Buckeyes. If you are a Buckeye fan you will love this retelling by Bill Rabinowitz. If you are a college football fan you will enjoy reading Mr. Rabinowitz's telling of the unprecedented win of the National Championship as they experienced the lowest of lows - losing to Michigan in the last regular season game - to the highest of highs - running through the toughest road to a Championship to date.

Bill Rabinowitz makes the games come back to life with his writing abilities.

It was an epic season and I loved reliving it through this book.

[Wil Steigerwald · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are an Ohio State alum, a fan of Buckeye sports or simply want to learn about one of the greatest national championship runs of all time, this is a must-read. Everything, from the backstories of Ohio State coach Ryan Day and all who surround him to the detailed recaps of almost every game the Buckeyes played in the 2024-2025 season, made this such an enjoyable read. I especially loved reliving defensive end Jack Sawyer’s fumble recovery touchdown, which author Bill Rabinowitz spends an entire 14-page chapter detailing. I will be reading more of Rabinowitz’s work in the future.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read! Obviously biased as a Buckeye fan, but I’m shocked at the access given by the players and coaches. Every topic from the season is addressed, even more prickly ones like Knowles’ departure, the rumored rift between Knowles and Johnson, and details of the nasty comments the Days had to endure after the loss to the team up north. I especially enjoyed learning more about Day’s background and upbringing, made me respect him even more! Even non-Buckeye fans will find a lot to enjoy about this book. Fantastic stuff from Bill Rabinowitz as always!

[M Faiello · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re a Buckeye fan, this is a must-read. It’s not too nitty-gritty, but also not overly basic. Bill does a great job balancing the two and covering every nook and cranny of the roller coaster season endured in 2024. You learn a few tidbits along the way that make the book even better, but it’s just an enjoyable read from start to finish. I look forward to checking out his two others next year!

[Eric Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great look back on one of the most memorable championship runs. The book included a lot of interviews with different people involved with the team that provided great insight and an interesting behind the scenes look at what happened during the season. Would definitely recommend for any Buckeye fans.

[Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a big Ohio State football fan. I’m an alum of Ohio State and was a season ticket holder for approximately thirty years. I was looking forward to reading this book. It did bring back some happy memories. However, the book is not very well written or organized. I’m still gad I read it though.

[Chris McCormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent retelling of Ohio State’s national title run. Loved the interviews with the players

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great recap of the 2024 championship season, with interviews from players and coaches. I wish there was a little more behind the scenes stuff, but overall a great read for any Buckeye fan

[Chelsea Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yall know me big buckeye football girlie and loved reliving the moment we got our baby’s name🥹❤️

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Exactly what I was hoping for!

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight

[Cameron Bratchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a journey. Truly remarkable story of perseverance and determination. As a Buckeye this means much more to me than I can even fathom describing. O-H

[Jacob Cantin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Go nuts. I love urban but he writes a horrible foreword

[Joe Dexter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill does an excellent job taking you on the journey of the 2024 championship campaign, while providing plenty of new information for fans of this team.

The best part of this re-telling, in my opinion, is learning more about Head Coach Ryan Day's journey to 2024 and how he led his team and family.

The worst part, is realizing just how terrible fellow fans can be.

This book is a great read for any Buckeye fan.