Eric Boggs
As the 2024 college football season approaches, Ohio State fans have much to be excited about, with several Buckeyes earning recognition as preseason candidates for some of the sport’s most prestigious awards. Among them, wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and quarterback Will Howard stand out as key figures poised to make a significant impact.
Egbuka, who was recently named a preseason candidate for the Biletnikoff Award, is looking to become the second consecutive Buckeye to win the honor, following in the footsteps of Marvin Harrison Jr., who took home the award in 2023. Egbuka’s journey at Ohio State has been impressive. As a freshman, he made an immediate impact with nine catches for 191 yards and 580 return yards on 20 kick returns. His sophomore year saw him emerge as the Buckeyes’ second-best pass catcher behind Harrison, tallying 74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors.
However, Egbuka’s 2023 season was hampered by a midseason ankle injury that forced him to miss three games and limited his production to 41 catches for 515 yards and four touchdowns. Despite these setbacks, Egbuka enters the 2024 season as Ohio State’s go-to receiver, leading a talented group that includes rising stars like Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, and Jeremiah Smith. With Ohio State’s storied history of producing elite wide receivers, Egbuka has the opportunity to etch his name alongside legends like Terry Glenn and Marvin Harrison Jr.
Ohio State’s quarterback situation has been a topic of much discussion this offseason. Will Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, has emerged as a strong contender for the starting job and was recently named a preseason candidate for the Davey O’Brien Award, which honors college football’s top quarterback. During his time at Kansas State, Howard showcased his talent, completing 458 of 779 passes for 5,786 yards, 48 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions over 34 appearances. He also demonstrated his dual-threat capability with 921 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on the ground.
Since arriving in Columbus, Howard has been competing with Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, Julian Sayin, and Air Noland for the coveted QB1 title. As of now, Howard appears to be the frontrunner, with Ohio State head coach Ryan Day noting that the quarterbacks have started to take the “lion’s share of the first-team reps” in practice. If Howard secures the starting role, he will have a wealth of offensive weapons at his disposal, including running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, as well as Egbuka and the talented wide receiver corps.
Ohio State’s roster is filled with talent across the board, and several other Buckeyes have garnered preseason recognition. Offensive lineman Seth McLaughlin, who transferred from Alabama, has been named a preseason candidate for the Rimington Trophy, awarded to college football’s best center. McLaughlin has been anchoring the Buckeyes’ offensive line as the No. 1 center, with his experience and leadership expected to be crucial in Ohio State’s quest for a Big Ten championship and a national title in 2024.
As the season nears, the Buckeyes are well-represented on various preseason awards watch lists, highlighting the depth and talent of the roster. Emeka Egbuka, who is a candidate for the Biletnikoff Award, also finds himself on the watch lists for the Maxwell Award, the Paul Hornung Award, and the Walter Camp Player of the Year. Quarterback Will Howard is a contender for the Davey O’Brien Award and joins Egbuka on the lists for the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year. Running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are in the running for the Doak Walker Award, with Judkins also earning consideration for the Maxwell and Walter Camp honors. On the defensive side, Denzel Burke, Caleb Downs, JT Tuimoloau, and Tyleik Williams are all up for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, while Burke and Downs are also in the mix for the Jim Thorpe Award, and Tuimoloau joins them on the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list. Offensive linemen Josh Fryar and Donovan Jackson are up for the Outland Trophy, while center Seth McLaughlin is a contender for both the Rimington Trophy and the Wuerffel Trophy. Finally, head coach Ryan Day is a candidate for the Dodd Trophy. With such a strong presence on these lists, Ohio State is positioned to make a serious run at achieving their goals: beating Michigan, winning the Big Ten, and capturing a national championship.
