Eric Boggs
It’s that exciting time of year again for preseason All-American teams, and Ohio State is making headlines. Seven Buckeyes have been recognized by national college football writer Phil Steele, tying with Georgia for the most selections of any program in the nation.
Steele’s All-American teams are featured in his popular annual magazine. The online edition is available on his website, and the print edition will hit shelves by July 4. The magazine offers over 350 pages of data and statistics.
From Ohio State, offensive lineman Donovan Jackson and defensive tackle Tyleik Williams made the first team. Jackson, who has started 26 consecutive games at guard, only allowed one sack last season. Williams shone as one of the top defensive tackles in college football, with 53 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery for a touchdown, three sacks, and five pass breakups in 13 games.
Running back TreVeyon Henderson, defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau, safety Caleb Downs, and cornerback Denzel Burke were named to the second team. In 2023, Henderson, a first-team All-Big Ten selection, amassed 1,083 yards from scrimmage and scored 11 touchdowns in nine games. Tuimoloau recorded 38 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks, and two pass breakups in 13 games in 2024. Downs, the top transfer player last December, joins Ohio State with impressive stats from his freshman year: 107 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, two interceptions, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Burke returns with nine pass breakups, 24 tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception, and one forced fumble.
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka earned third-team honors after catching 41 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns in 2023, despite missing three games due to injury.
Ohio State’s seven preseason All-Americans tie them with Georgia for the most selections. Alabama follows with six, Oklahoma State has five, and Oregon, Michigan, and Notre Dame each have four.
