More preseason honors, more Buckeyes.
On Wednesday, The Athletic announced its preseason All-American teams. Ohio State led all of college football with four selections, including Donovan Jackson and Caleb Downs on the first team and Emeka Egbuka and Tyleik Williams on the second team.
“Our two teams are made up of 50 of the best players in college football entering the 2024 season,” staff writers from The Athletic wrote. “These 50 players come from 30 schools, headlined by four from Ohio State; three from Michigan, Georgia, Alabama and Notre Dame; and two from Oregon, Oklahoma State, Boise State, LSU, Louisville, Kentucky, Iowa and Arizona.
“The Buckeyes’ total could have been higher, too, as a few of the most notable snubs come from the loaded Ohio State roster.”
Jackson appeared on The Athletic’s preseason first team with offensive linemen Will Campbell (LSU), Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas), Tyler Booker (Alabama) and Parker Brailsford (Alabama). Meanwhile, Downs appeared with cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) and Will Johnson (Michigan) and safety Malaki Starks (Georgia).
While Luther Burden III (Missouri) and Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) received preseason first-team honors, Egbuka made the preseason second team Kevin Concepcion (NC State). Similarly, Mason Graham (Michigan) and Deone Walker (Kentucky) earned preseason first-team honors ahead of Williams, who made the second team with Howard Cross III (Notre Dame).
The Athletic is the third outlet to name preseason All-American teams this summer. In June, seven Buckeyes appeared on the Phil Steele preseason All-American squads. In July, five Buckeyes earned the same recognition from the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
