Five Buckeyes land on ESPN preseason All-American teams
COLUMBUS — Another day, another preseason list that highlights just how good Ohio State can be this season. And this one is coming from a major outlet.
ESPN released its preseason All-American team on Wednesday morning, and the Buckeyes have five players scattered among the first- and second-team selections. That’s tied with Alabama for the most players on the two All-American teams from ESPN.
Just one of the five for the Buckeyes is a first-team All-American. That’s second-year safety Caleb Downs, who transferred to Ohio State from Alabama after a Freshman All-American campaign for the Crimson Tide a season ago.
Downs is the lone Buckeyes player listed as a first-teamer, while Alabama, Georgia and Michigan all have three first-team selections. Here’s what ESPN said about Downs and why he’s a first-team selection:
Downs might be wearing a new jersey in 2024, but there’s nothing new about his skill set. After a sensational freshman season at Alabama, Downs joins an ultra-talented roster at Ohio State. The 6-foot, 205-pound sophomore led Alabama with 107 total tackles last year and intercepted two passes. He’s a sure tackler and has the coverage skills of a cornerback. Downs was the top portal addition in college football this offseason.
Chris Low, ESPN
As for the second-team selections, the Buckeyes have two on offense and two on defense. That list starts with tailback Quinshon Judkins, who was a two-time first-team All-SEC running back at Ole Miss before joining the Buckeyes this offseason. He’s behind Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon and North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, the two first-team choices.
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Buckeyes starting left guard Donovan Jackson enters his third year as the starter in that spot as a preseason second-team All-American. Georgia’s Tate Ratledge and Alabama’s Tyler Booker are the first-team selections.
On defense, star senior cornerback Denzel Burke enters his fourth year as a starter as a second-team choice; he’s behind first-teamers Michigan’s Will Johnson and Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison.
The other defensive second-team selection? It’s defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, who is set for a special senior season. The two first-team choices were Michigan’s Mason Graham and Kentucky’s Deone Walker, but Williams will have a chance to shine and take over a first-team slot by season’s end.
Ohio State will put that talent on the field in just 17 days when its hosts Akron for the season opener on Aug. 31 (3:30 p.m., CBS). The Buckeyes have three nonconference games and an idle week before finally hitting the road for the first time on Sept. 28 at Michigan State.
