A pair of offensive Buckeyes received preseason consideration for national awards on Thursday, with wide receiver Emeka Egbuka being named to the preseason watch list for the Paul Hornung Award, given annually to the most versatile player in college football, while center Seth McLaughlin landed on the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy, college football’s premier award for community service.
This is the second preseason watch list the senior Egbuka has found himself on this week, with the other being the Maxwell Award, awarded to the top overall player in college football. Egbuka is regarded as one of the more versatile offensive players on Ohio State, as he has lined up at multiple positions at receiver, returned punts and kicks and even taken hand-offs across his three years with the program.
The senior has recorded 124 receptions for 1,857 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns as a pass-catcher, while he has logged 16 carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, along with 21 kick returns for 605 yards and 18 punt returns for 98 yards in the Scarlet and Gray.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said at Big Ten Media Days last week that Egbuka could see some carries again this year, which could put him in further contention for the Hornung Award, which he was a finalist for last season.
As for McLaughlin, this is the first watch list he has appeared on this offseason. While the first-year Buckeye and Alabama transfer is still vying for a starting role this season at center alongside Carson Hinzman, Joshua Padilla and others, he is an obvious standout in the community. He made most of his mark with the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he participated in a number of outreach programs, and even donated a portion of his NIL to the West Alabama Food Bank.
