Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave (2) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of a NCAA Division I football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Akron Zips on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Ohio State will open its 2024 season against Akron on Saturday, August 31st. Fans will see many familiar names, such as running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, defensive ends J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, and cornerback Denzel Burke. Still, none of those star players were named to ESPN’s Preseason All-American First Team this week.
It’s a major shock that none of those big names could find their way to the Preseason All-American First Team, but don’t worry, Buckeyes fans, because not every one of your players was snubbed from the list.
Ohio State’s New Transfer Star Sees His Name On The Preseason All-American First Team
Jul 23, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State went big in the transfer portal this offseason, starting with their starting quarterback, Will Howard, from Kansas State. Then, they went down south and took three great players: Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins, Alabama center Seth McLaughlin, and safety Caleb Downs.
Judkins has the chance to be the best running back in college football this season, but just like a handful of the other Ohio State players, he did not see his name on the Preseason All-American First Team.
Lucky true sophomore safety Caleb Downs was recognized by the Preseason All-American First Team and was named to the defensive team.
Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Caleb Downs (2) prays with teammates in the endzone before the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game against the Michigan Wolverines at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Downs started as a true freshman at Alabama, and not many can say they could hold that title. The former Crimson Tide safety will make plays for Ohio State this season and could become the best defensive player in college football.
Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Caleb Downs (2) celebrates after making a catch in the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Downs would be a Top Ten pick in next year’s NFL Draft if he was allowed to enter, but since he has only been in college for two years, he can’t enter the league until 2025.
Michigan was the only other Big Ten school with a Preseason All-American First Teamers, with defensive tackle Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson.
If Ohio State fans thought Michigan was going to be easy out this season after losing their head coach and the majority of their players, think again. They still have a lot of talent in Ann Arbor and are going to be a great team.
Daniel Fisher is a sports writer for Gridiron Heroics covering the NFL and College Football. He has been covering the NFL and College Football for the past two years and with a focus on the Cleveland Browns and Ohio State Buckeyes.
