Pair of Buckeyes named to preseason Outland Trophy watch list

COLUMBUS — Let the preseason award watch lists continue to show how good Ohio State will be in its national title defense.

Two Buckeyes players showed up on the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, given annually to the top interior lineman, offensive or defensive, in college football. Ohio State has one of each on the preseason watch list.

Fourth-year offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola is on the watch list for the Outland Trophy. He was a 16-game starter on the offensive line last fall and returns to help lead what should be one of the top offensive lines in the country.

He’s joined by defensive tackle Eddrick Houston, who is only a sophomore but appeared in 15 games for the Buckeyes last fall and will be a catalyst for a reloaded defensive line that has superstar potential.

Ohio State has had four Outland Trophy winners since the award began in 1946. Jim Parker won it in 1956, Jim Stillwagon won it in 1970, John Hicks won it in 1973 and, of course, Orlando Pace won it as a left tackle in 1996.

Now 30 years later, the Buckeyes have two preseason candidates for the Outland Trophy.

Two Buckeyes named to Nagurski Award watch list

Ohio State also had two players on the preseason watch list for the Nagurski Award, which is given annually to the top defensive player in college football.

Of course, junior safety Caleb Downs and senior linebacker Sonny Styles, the two leaders of the Buckeyes defense, are the two Ohio State stars to land on the watch list for the Nagurski Award.

Downs is a sure-thing first-round NFL Draft choice for next year, but he has at least one more year of college football before he can go. And he is among the best returning players, offense or defense, in the country entering this season.

Styles enters his second year as a starting linebacker and third as a defensive starter for the Buckeyes. He’ll be the leader of the group both on and off the field heading into his senior season.