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Pair of Buckeyes anchors named to Outland Trophy preseason watch list

On3 imageby:Matt Parker•07/26/22•

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Paris Johnson by Birm -- Lettermen Row
Paris Johnson faces high expectations heading into his third season at Ohio State. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State and its offensive line have taken the task of a rebuild this offseason and a challenge at reestablishing its standard in the trenches.

The offseason appointment of offensive line coach Justin Frye to lead that charge, the natural talent in the room and the ample depth have given the Football Writers Association of America a reason to pinpoint two Buckeyes standouts in the midst of the rebuild. Offensive tackle Paris Johnson and offensive tackle Dawand Jones were both named to the Outland Trophy, given to the country’s best interior offensive lineman, preseason watchlist Tuesday morning.

Johnson started at guard in every game last season for Ohio State, but the 6-foot-6, 310-pound junior will slide over to his natural position at tackle for 2022. In his sophomore campaign, Johnson was named Second-Team All-Big Ten in the coaches poll and Third-Team in the media poll.

Jones started in all 13 games for the Buckeyes last season at tackle and looks to take another step forward heading into his senior season. The 6-foot-8, 350-pound tackle earned Second-Team (media) and Third-Team (coaches) All-Big Ten nods for his efforts last season.

The last Ohio State offensive lineman to win the Outland Trophy was Orlando Pace in 1996. The Buckeyes have had four Outland Trophy winners in program history.

Other Buckeyes on preseason watch lists, All-American teams

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, Smith-Njigba and running back TreVeyon Henderson were all named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, which is given annually to the top player in all of college football, on Monday. Stroud, the Buckeyes second-year starting quarterback, was among 35 quarterbacks named to the Davey O’Brien Award watch list, and he is among the preseason favorites to win the award. That watch list came out Tuesday.

TreVeyon Henderson and Smith-Njigba were both named preseason first-team All-Americans by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Another pair of Buckeyes, tackle Dawand Jones and kicker Noah Ruggles, were second-team selections. That list came out at the beginning of July. Stroud was not on that list. He was beat out by Alabama’s Bryce Young and USC’s Caleb Williams for the two quarterback spots.

Henderson was also named to the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the country’s top running back, on Wednesday. And Smith-Njigba was listed as a preseason player to watch for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the top receiver each year.

Ohio State center Luke Wypler was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list last week.

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