Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes headline ESPN's way-too-early 2024 All-America team

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Buckeyes headline ESPN’s way-too-early 2024 All-America team

ESPN put together a way-too-early 2024 All-America team, and four Ohio State players received a first-team nod. That’s more than any other school in the country.

Georgia and Michigan were up next with three first-team picks.

Here are the Buckeyes players recognized:

RB TreVeyon Henderson

Henderson is back for his senior year, and it could be a special one barring injury. His three-game absence in 2023 was the only thing standing in the way of a prolific season, in which he amassed more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage in just nine regular season games. Henderson will be sharing the Buckeyes’ backfield with Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins in 2024. They make up arguably the best running back tandem in the nation heading into next season. During his third year at Ohio State, Henderson rushed for 926 yards and 11 touchdowns, in addition to recording 19 receptions and 229 receiving yards.

OG Donovan Jackson

Jackson posted a better pass blocking grade in 2023 than he did in 2022 (72.7 in 2023 vs. 60.7 in 2022) but logged a worse run blocking grade this past season (67.3 in 2023 vs. 80.1 in 2022), according to Pro Football Focus. After a slow start, Jackson had two three-game streaks without a pressure conceded. The second of those two streaks was snapped at Michigan, where he, most notably, tripped over center Carson Hinzman and let a stunting Jaylen Harrell burst through the trenches and get a hit on Kyle McCord before his game-ending interception. Jackson — a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2023 and a two-year starter — has turned the page from that Michigan moment and is coming back for 2024 with a chance to improve his draft stock and restore the reputation of the Buckeyes’ O-Line.

DT Tyleik Williams

Williams was the first draft-eligible Buckeyes player to announce his return for the 2024 season. He certainly could have left for the NFL if he wanted to, considering he was one of the most productive defensive tackles in college football last year. After combining for 37 total tackles his first two years at Ohio State, Williams registered 54 in 2023, including 10.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. That’s not to mention his five passes defended as well as his fumble recovery touchdown against Western Kentucky in Week 3. He played 251 defensive snaps the year before. This past season, per PFF, he played 645.

S Caleb Downs

Downs was both a Freshman All-American and a second-team AP All-American at Alabama in 2023. He became the first true freshman since at least 1970 to lead the Crimson Tide in tackles. He mounted 107, including 70 solos — the 14th most of any player in the country this past season — as well as 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, four pass break-ups and one forced fumble. Downs will slot right into the Buckeyes’ already-elite defense and could even be the best player defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has at his disposal. He’s that good.

Note: Judkins and cornerback Denzel Burke were both listed as second-team selections. Judkins is a two-time All-SEC back and a Buckeyes newcomer. Burke is a senior corner who decided to return to Ohio State after a breakout junior campaign.

Where every early projected Ohio State 2025 class prospect ranks

Lettermen Row already released both a way-too-early offensive and defensive mock 2025 class.

Now, we’re going through every single member of those projections and seeing how their rankings — by On3 and the On3 Industry Ranking — compare.

Four-star Bellefontaine (Ohio) quarterback Tavien St. Clair headlines the offensive side of the ball, and five-star Houston (Texas) North Shore cornerback Devin Sanchez headlines the defensive side of the ball.

Check it out here.

Roster Reset: Examining Buckeyes wide receiver room, potential depth chart

Lettermen Row is continuing its “Roster Reset” series with a look at the Ohio State wide receiver room, a factory of talent that just brought in two more five-star prospects.

The Buckeyes said goodbye to Marvin Harrison Jr. — a projected top-five pick in this year’s NFL Draft — but they’re still locked and loaded at the position, especially thanks to Emeka Egbuka coming back for his senior season.

For a primer on Ohio State’s wide receiver situation heading into the 2024 season, go here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Akron: 219 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 310 days

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