Three Buckeyes earn spot on Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list

COLUMBUS — Another day of the preseason, another watch list with plenty of Ohio State representation.

The latest example comes from the Football Writers Association of America, which released both the Outland Trophy watch list and the Bronco Nagurski Trophy watch list Tuesday afternoon. The Nagurski Trophy is given annually to the top defensive player in college football.

As for the Nagurski Trophy watch list, three Buckeyes found their names on the long list of names in contention for the award to start the season. They’re three of the 94 players from around the country on the list. Michigan and Penn State also had three players listed, and the Big Ten has 15 players total on the watch list.

For Ohio State, the three players representing the program on the Nagurski Trophy watch list are senior safety Lathan Ransom, senior linebacker Tommy Eichenberg and junior defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau.

Eichenberg, a captain last season, will lead the Buckeyes defense that is expecting to take a massive step forward this season. Ransom and Tuimoloau will lead their respective units, as well. The Buckeyes are represented at all three levels of their defense.

Two Ohio State players have won the Nagurski Trophy. James Laurinaitis won it in 2006, and Chase Young earned the trophy in 2019.

The recap of the preseason watch lists can be found below.

Trio of Buckeyes on Outland Trophy watch list

The latest example comes from the Football Writers Association of America, which released the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, which is given annually to the top interior lineman in the country.

A trio of Buckeyes stars earned a spot on that preseason list, two on offense and one on the defensive side of the ball. Ohio State is one of five schools with three players on the list. Michigan has four. A total of 11 players from the Big Ten are on the preseason list.

Both of the returning offensive linemen for Ohio State, sixth-year senior guard Matthew Jones and third-year guard Donovan Jackson, are on the preseason list for that award. As is third-year defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr.

Pair of Ohio State stars named to Maxwell Award watch list

One of the most important preseason watch lists of the summer was released Monday morning, and a pair of Ohio State superstars are already gaining attention as potential winners. Junior wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka were both named to the prestigious Maxwell Award watch list on Monday.

Both receivers have been gaining traction as the top wide receiver duo in college football for the entire offseason. Harrison was a first-team All-American last year after catching 77 passes for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. Egbuka wasn’t far behind him, catching 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns. Together they formed one of the top tandems in the country.

Ryan Day named to watch list for Dodd Trophy

Ryan Day was named to the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Trophy preseason watch list earlier this offseason. The Dodd Trophy has been awarded to the top coach in college football every year since 1976.

The award ‘takes into consideration each program’s graduation rate, Graduation Success Rate (GSR), commitment to service and charity in the community, projected success for the 2023 season and Academic Progress Rate (APR),’ according to the Dodd Trophy website.

Only one Ohio State coach has ever won the prestigious coaching honor. Jim Tressel won it in 2002 when the Buckeyes beat Miami (Florida) for the national title.

Day is one of five Big Ten coaches on the watch list.