Eric Boggs
Few teams in college football can match the combination of elite talent and leadership Ohio State displayed throughout the 2025 season, and this year’s postseason honors made that unmistakably clear. The Buckeyes were once again at the center of national award conversations as quarterback Julian Sayin and head coach Ryan Day were named finalists for the Walter Camp Player and Coach of the Year awards. Sayin’s nomination comes after a historic regular season in which the redshirt freshman shattered the NCAA single-season completion percentage record, hitting 78.9% of his passes for 3,065 yards, 30 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. His precision was never more evident than in The Game, where he helped lead Ohio State to its first victory over Michigan since 2019.
Day’s recognition feels long overdue. Despite holding the highest winning percentage in major college football history at 82–10, along with a national championship, two title game appearances, and soon-to-be five College Football Playoff berths, a national Coach of the Year honor has eluded him. That he’s a finalist once again underscores the steady, elite-level leadership that keeps this program among the nation’s best, no matter the year or roster turnover.
While Sayin and Day drew national attention, the Big Ten’s awards confirmed what Buckeye fans already knew—the roster is loaded with top-tier talent. Jeremiah Smith was named Big Ten Receiver of the Year for the second straight season, cementing himself not just as the league’s best weapon but as a future superstar at the next level. Sayin earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year, though conference voters handed both Quarterback of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year to Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. Mendoza’s strong numbers—72% completions, 2,758 yards, and 32 touchdowns—made him deserving, but Sayin’s efficiency and command of the offense set him apart in ways the awards didn’t fully reflect.
Ohio State also dominated the All-Big Ten selections. Smith, Carnell Tate, and tight end Max Klare all earned first-team honors, and the entire offensive line landed on either the second or third teams. Their collective performance—allowing only six sacks all season, second only to Army—provided Sayin the protection needed to rewrite the record books. Freshman running back Bo Jackson added another second-team selection after rushing for 953 yards at 6.3 yards per carry, showcasing the balance that made Ohio State’s offense one of the nation’s most complete.
Defensively, the Buckeyes swept the conference’s major awards. Caleb Downs earned both Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Back of the Year, Arvell Reese captured Linebacker of the Year, and Kayden McDonald took home Defensive Lineman of the Year. With Sonny Styles joining that trio on multiple first-team ballots, Ohio State proved once again that it fields the Big Ten’s best players at all three levels of the defense. From Caden Curry’s disruptive edge play to Davison Igbinosun’s shutdown corner performance, the depth of talent was reflected in the 19 total Buckeyes who received All-Big Ten honors.
Special teams also earned recognition, with long snapper John Ferlmann and kicker Jayden Fielding receiving votes from coaches and media alike.
For Buckeye Nation, this wave of accolades is more than a collection of trophies—it’s confirmation that Ohio State remains one of college football’s most complete and well-led programs. With Sayin ascending, Smith electrifying, and Day steering the machine with unwavering stability, the Buckeyes are positioned not only for immediate postseason success but for continued national prominence well beyond 2025.
