Buckeyes heavily represented on On3 All-America teams

COLUMBUS — Ohio State has one of the most talented rosters in college football, and that’s being proven as All-America teams are announced now that the regular season and conference title weekend are over.

Five Buckeyes were named first-team All-America selections from the folks at On3. And two others were named second-team All-America selections.

The first-team list includes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, defensive end Caden Curry, linebacker Arvell Reese and safety Caleb Downs. The second-team list includes wide receiver Carnell Tate and linebacker Sonny Styles.

Smith is the best receiver in college football, and his stats back that up. Here’s why On3 chose Smith as an All-American:

For the second straight season, Smith was the most dynamic player in the country. He would have been the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft last year and would be again this year if he were eligible. The 6-3, 223-pound sophomore has it all – size, ability to separate, great hands and incredible body control. He led the Buckeyes with 80 catches for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Here’s what On3 said about McDonald being a first-team selection:

Ohio State’s front-seven on defense is scary talented, and the 6-3, 326-pound McDonald is the enforcer in the middle of the Buckeyes’ defensive line from his nose guard position. He’s a brick wall against the run and is constantly pushing the pocket. McDonald collected eight tackles for loss, including three sacks, and was named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year.

The surprise Ohio State player on the first team is Curry, and here was On3’s reasoning for naming him a first-team All-American:

Curry was dominant in the Big Ten championship game and led the Big Ten with 11 sacks, but it was his consistency throughout the season that made him one of the cornerstones of an Ohio State defense that finished first in both scoring and total defense. The 6-3, 230-pound senior led the team with 16.5 tackles for loss and six quarterback hurries.

Another Ohio State defender on the list, here’s why On3 named Reese as an All-American:

The Buckeyes are laden with future pros on defense, and Reese is poised to be a top-5 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. He’s a hybrid player from his outside linebacker position and has blossomed into one of the more disruptive defenders in the country after being a rotational player last year as a sophomore. Reese is second on Ohio State’s team with 62 total tackles, including 10 for loss.

And finally, superstar safety Caleb Downs is the best defensive player in the country. Here’s why, according to On3:

Downs was this season’s winner of the Lott Impact Trophy, named after the legendary Ronnie Lott, and is awarded to the defensive player who makes the biggest impact. That perfectly describes Downs, who’s a difference-maker in every facet of the game, be it making big tackles in the open field or breaking up passes on key downs.

Ohio State, of course, will be the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes will face the winner of No. 7 seed Texas A&M and No. 10 seed Miami in the quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve.