For over six decades, Brutus Buckeye has been more than just a mascot—he's the living, breathing heart of Ohio State University. Whether he's rallying the crowd at Ohio Stadium, high-fiving future Buckeyes at community events, or even sinking a putt at a charity golf outing, Brutus embodies the spirit of a program that's equal parts tradition, athletic excellence, and pure fun. But behind the oversized nut head and the iconic scarlet and gray uniform lies a dedicated team of student athletes, coaches, and trainers who spend countless hours perfecting every move, cheer, and costume change.

We went behind the scenes for an entire year with the four graduating seniors who bring Brutus to life. Their journey is one of early morning conditioning runs up the stadium steps, summer camps where they hone their craft alongside other college mascots, and appearances that span from football games to golf tournaments. Head coach Ray Sharp leads this crew with the same intensity you'd expect from a championship squad—because for these students, being Brutus is a competition of its own.

The year kicked off with a grueling pre-sunrise workout inside Ohio Stadium, where team members like Caleb Kies, Jeff Moody, Tyler Wisman, and Kurt Steelman stretched and ran steps before most students had even hit the snooze button. From there, it was off to UCA mascot camp in Wisconsin Dells, where Brutus traded high-fives with other college mascots and learned new routines that would wow crowds all season long. Back on campus, the team balanced community appearances—like the Drive FORE Scholarship golf outing—with the pressure of representing a program that expects nothing less than a national championship performance, both on the field and in the stands.

What makes Brutus special isn't just the game-day magic; it's the year-round dedication of a team that treats mascoting like a sport. They train, they compete, and they bring joy to tens of thousands of fans—all while keeping the identity of the person inside the costume a closely guarded secret. For these four seniors, being Brutus is the ultimate honor, and their legacy is one that will echo through the Shoe for years to come.