With over double-digit starters returning to the program this season, Ohio State will likely be well represented in a number of preseason award watch lists. Such was the case with national college football writer Phil Steele’s All-American teams, which featured seven Buckeyes on the list, including two who earned first-team All-American honors.
The two first-team All-American honors were given to offensive lineman Donovan Jakson and defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. Jackson has served as a stalwart on the Buckeyes’ offensive line for the last two seasons, starting all 26 games from 2022-23 while allowing just one sack this past season. Williams, meanwhile, could be in line for a dominant season in the interior after bursting on the scene in 2023 with 53 tackles (10 for loss), five pass breakups, three sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in 13 games.
Steele’s second-team All-American list featured four Buckeyes: cornerback Denzel Burke, safety Caleb Downs, running back TreVeyon Henderson and defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau. While Burke, Henderson and Tuimoloau are each expected to reclaim their roles as Ohio State’s team leaders and top performers after opting to return for their senior years rather than depart for the NFL, Downs earns the preseason honor in his first season with Ohio State.
The sophomore, who was widely regarded as college football’s top transfer prospect this offseason, is poised for a dominant season in Columbus after a sensational freshman campaign at Alabama. He stuffed the stat sheets with 107 tackles — the most by an Alabama freshman since at least 1970 — along with three pass breakups and a forced fumble while earning SEC Freshman of the Year.
The final Buckeye represented on Steele’s list is senior wideout Emeka Egbuka, who earned third-team honors after an injury-riddled 2023 campaign. He caught 41 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns while missing three games due to a foot injury, but could be poised for a bounce-back year in 2024 as Ohio State’s top wide receiver target.
Ohio State’s seven preseason All-Americans were tied for the most on Steele’s list alongside Georgia. The Bulldogs earned three first-team All-American nods, with quarterback Carson Beck, offensive lineman Ajani Corenlius and safety Malaki Starks each receiving honors.
Alabama trailed behind with six All-Americans, followed by Oklahoma State with five and Oregon, Michigan and Notre Dame with four each.
The entire list of All-Americans can be seen on the online edition of his annual college football magazine available on his website, while it will also hit the shelves in print on July 4.
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