Westerville Central's Jaystin Gwinn eager to continue family's Ohio State football legacy

Westerville Central’s Jaystin Gwinn eager to continue family’s Ohio State football legacy

Posted by author February 11, 2025 Football

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Growing up in central Ohio, Jaystin Gwinn’s dream was to play football at Ohio State like his father, Anthony, and uncles Justin and Jayson.

Now that the Westerville Central senior has accepted Ohio State’s offer to become a preferred walk-on, he’s one step closer. His achievement was celebrated during a National Signing Day ceremony last Wednesday at Central.

“This means everything,” Jaystin Gwinn said. “It’s in my blood, so being able to continue the legacy … I’m excited to do it.”

The 6-foot-1, 175-pound quarterback received nine offers, eventually selecting the Buckeyes and passing up scholarship opportunities. Gwinn saw limited time in 2024 because of two hamstring injuries, passing for 624 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 183 yards and one score.

He closely followed the Buckeyes’ national championship run.

“It’s amazing for me,” he said. “As a kid from Columbus, Ohio, all we do is watch the Buckeyes. That’s what Ohio is – it’s Ohio State football – so I’m excited to get down there and compete and do whatever I have to do to get my team to win.”

Gwinn said Ohio State indicated he would be part of the quarterback room, but he could also train at wide receiver and defensive back.

“I told him when you go there, you’re going to have to work, nothing is going to be handed to you,” Anthony Gwinn said. “The different part is he’s going to be around a lot of guys … just as talented as him, if not more talented.”

Anthony was a defensive back for the Buckeyes from 1993-96, while Justin played linebacker in 1997 and 1998.

“Ohio State has to have interest in you even to have you come in as a preferred walk-on,” Anthony said. “I knew this day could come. My son has always had an affection for Ohio State. I could tell going on visits. It fell into a situation of what position he would play. Ohio State stuck with him and offered him a roster spot. I really didn’t put pressure on him to make a decision. It’s a decision he made himself.”

Jaystin wore his uncle Jayson’s Ohio State No. 49 letterman jacket at the ceremony. Jayson was killed in an auto accident in December 1993. He was a redshirt freshman defensive end.

Also last Wednesday, Jaystin’s cousin, Jayden Gwinn, signed with Division II Findlay. Jayden, a running back who played his senior season at Gahanna Lincoln after transferring from Central, is Justin’s son.

“I know for both my nephew and my son, this is a long time coming,” Justin said. “They’re probably going to have more pressure on them than you’re typically going to have with a high school athlete given their dads and their uncles played at Ohio State.”