Two weeks removed from serving a two-game suspension, junior running back Jordan Hall has been named a captain for Saturday’s game against Michigan State.

Hall, along junior defensive back and sophomore defensive back Corey Brown, was suspended for the games against Toledo and Akron for receiving impermissible benefits in the form of $200 from a former booster at a Cleveland-area charity event.

The NCAA reinstated his eligibility before the Sept. 17 game against the Miami Hurricanes.

“He’s a big leader in the locker room; he does a great job,” Fickell said. “He’s handled everything that we’ve asked him to handle with class and dignity.”

Hall was all smiles when discussing his captain status with the media.

“It’s definitely an honor,” Hall said. “It’ll be one of my greatest memories at Ohio State and it’s definitely exciting.”

Hall has improved since his return to the field, rushing for 87 yards in an otherwise-offensive disaster against Miami. He followed up that performance with 84 yards and a touchdown against Colorado. Hall also had a 90-yard kickoff return against the Buffaloes to set up a touchdown.

Fickell said Hall’s competitive nature on offense and special teams is what sets him apart from other players.

“There’s guys with all types of abilities. When you get to college … those abilities becomes closer and closer,” Fickell said. “I think that’s the one thing I would say about Jordan. Yes, he’s very good in the things that he does, but he’s a competitor.”

He added, “I’ll tell you right now, if we took him over on defense, he’d start somewhere on defense too because of the competitor that he is.”

Hall said he was appreciative of Fickell’s support.

“It feels good because he’s the head coach, he makes all the decisions,” Hall said. “If he feels that way about a player, then you obviously feel good about yourself.”

Fickell alluded to the team’s current suspended players, senior wide receiver DeVier Posey, senior offensive tackle Mike Adams, senior running back Dan “Boom” Herron and defensive end Solomon Thomas as potential future captains as well.

“We understand that we learn from our mistakes, but we’re not gonna throw guys away,” Fickell said. “That’s kind of the reason we wanted to have game captains the whole season, so that we could make sure we could bring everybody … whatever their situation.”

Posey, Adams and Herron are set to return next week against Nebraska, and Hall said they have been leaders throughout the season.

“They are still full-fledged members of the team,” Hall said. “We look at them as leaders.”

Ohio State will face Michigan State this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Ohio Stadium.