Over the last week or so, the various outlets have released their prestigious All-American teams. With today’s announcement from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), the five reputable teams have been released (Walter Camp, The Sporting News, AP, AFCA, and FWAA). These five are the ones certified by the National Football Foundation (NFF). You must be an All-American on one of the five to be eligible for the College Football Hall of Fame down the road. Across the five, six Buckeyes earned first-team honors, the most since the 1974 Ohio State team, with the most in program history in a single season.
Perhaps more impressively, three players were unanimous first-team All-Americans, setting a program record. There were six seasons in which Ohio State had two unanimous first-team All-Americans (2019, 2016, 1995, 1987, 1973, 1970). One player was one outlet away from being unanimous, however. Even with that one, the Buckeyes would have fallen short of the all-time record of five unanimous All-Americans, set by the 2020 Alabama team and the 2003 Oklahoma team.
As a result, there will be seven trees planted in the hallowed Buckeye Grove, one of the coolest, most underappreciated traditions at Ohio State. With the addition of these seven, the Buckeyes now tout 225 first-team All-Americans, 101 consensus All-Americans, and 42 unanimous All-Americans.
Six New Trees in Buckeye Grove for Ohio State All-Americans
Caleb Downs, Unanimous All-American
For just the sixth time in the history of Ohio State football, the Buckeyes have a two-time unanimous All-American after earning the honor last year as well. Caleb Downs joins Marvin Harrison Jr. (2022-23), Orlando Pace (1995-96), Archie Griffin (1974-75), Bob Fersugon (1960-61), and Howard (Hopalong) Cassady (1954-55). In order to be a unanimous first-team All-American, Downs was voted to each the AFCA, Walter Camp, The Sporting News, Associated Press, and FWAA first teams. In addition, he was named to the first teams for CBS Sports, On3, and The Athletic.
Downs, assuming he declares for the NFL Draft after the CFP, will be one of the most decorated players in Ohio State history. In addition to being a two-time unanimous All-American, Downs won the Thorpe Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy this year. In the Big Ten, he is a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, two-time Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year, and this year’s Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year. He was also the SEC Freshman of the Year and first-team All-SEC selection at Alabama in 2023.
Downs was also a finalist for the Nagurski Award and the Bednarik Award. He also finished ninth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Jeremiah Smith, Unanimous All-American
In terms of sheer talent, Jeremiah Smith might be the best receiver to come through the Woody Hayes Athletic Complex, and that’s saying something. This season, Smith was awarded unanimous All-American honors from the AFCA, Walter Camp, The Sporting News, Associated Press, and FWAA. He was also part of the CBS Sports, On3, and The Athletic first-team selections. The sophomore is just the second unanimous All-American selection in Ohio State history, joining Harrison Jr.
Last year, Smith was a second-team selection by USA Today and ESPN, while earning Freshman All-American honors. In just two seasons, Smith is a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection, two-time Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year, and was the 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Smith is only 49 receptions, 467 yards, and nine touchdowns from the Ohio State career records. He has a full junior season plus at least one CFP game this year ahead of him. Barring the most unfortunate, those marks are sure to fall.
Smith was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. He also finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Kayden McDonald, Unanimous All-American
In terms of the number of honors, it’s clear that the biggest breakout on the Ohio State defense was Kayden McDonald. Despite being a defensive tackle/nose tackle, McDonald was a game-wrecker on the interior, logging 57 tackles, eight tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery heading into the CFP.
This year, the first-year starter earned first-team All-American honors from all five outlets, the AFCA, Walter Camp, The Sporting News, Associated Press, and FWAA. Additionally, he joined Downs and Smith on the CBS Sports, On3, and The Athletic’s lists. In the Big Ten, he was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and won the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year award.
McDonald was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy.
Arvell Reese, Consensus All-American
The first Buckeye to not earn unanimous All-American honors is Arvell Reese. Another massive breakout, Reese has used his first full-time season to generate some serious “he could go first-overall” hype. As a result, he was selected as a first-team All-American by the AFCA, Walter Camp, and Associated Press. While they aren’t part of the equation, Reese was a first-team selection for CBS Sports, On3, and The Athletic as well. The Sporting News and the FWAA put Reese on their respective second teams.
Reese was awarded the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year award in the Big Ten as well as first-team All-Big Ten honors. He was also a finalist for the Butkus Award.
Sonny Styles, First-Team All-American
It’s been quite the career for Sonny Styles. He started as a true freshman, appearing at safety in 12 games after reclassifying to the 2022 recruiting class. Then, he took over the starting safety role as a sophomore before transitioning to linebacker in 2024. Heading into this year’s CFP, Styles has amassed 242 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, eight-and-a-half sacks, nine pass breakups, three forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and an interception.
This year, Styles was named as a first-team All-American by The Sporting News and a second-teamer by the Associated Press. After earning second-team All-Big Ten honors last year, Styles was a first-team selection this year.
At just 21 years old, Styles is likely to shoot up draft boards after testing as the top-end athlete most believe him to be.
Carson Hinzman, First-Team All-American
Finally, a story of growth and redemption. During the 2023 season, Carson Hinzman won the starting center job. Then, after 12 games, he was seemingly benched for the Cotton Bowl loss. Last year, he started off the year in the doghouse. But built his way up and ended up as a stabilizing force along a beat-up offensive line. After three games at left guard, he stepped in at center after the Rimington Trophy winner went down due to injury. This year, he stepped up, won the job back, and played at an All-American level.
His inclusion in the AFCA team was a surprise, as Hinzman was not a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, but the coaches felt his play deserved recognition.
Other Honors
Five more Buckeyes earned national honors as well.
- Caden Curry
- First-team All-American from On3 (On3 is not recognized as one of the five reputable outlets), second-team All-American from the AFCA, Walter Camp, The Sporting News, and The Athletic, and third-team All-American by the Associated Press.
- Carnell Tate
- Second-team All-American from the AFCA, The Sporting News, and Associated Press.
- Julian Sayin
- Second-team All-American from the AFCA and Walter Camp, third-team All-American from the Associated Press, Freshman All-American from The Athletic, and the Big Ten’s Thopson Randle-El Freshman of the Year. Sayin also finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
- Luke Montgomery
- Second-team All-American from the AFCA
- Bo Jackson
- Freshman All-American from The Athletic and On3
Main Image: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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