Buckeyes sending three talented veterans to Big Ten Media Days
COLUMBUS — Ohio State has every piece to be a national title contender this fall.
Turns out the most talented players are also in line for leadership roles inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Part of that leadership? Heading to Indianapolis to represent the Buckeyes at Big Ten Media Days next week.
Ohio State and the Big Ten announced who will be in attendance for the annual Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis, held July 26 and 27. Along with coach Ryan Day, the Buckeyes will send third-year sophomore quarterback C.J. Stroud, junior wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and senior defensive back Ronnie Hickman as representatives of the football team.
“When you have a team who has the experience we have coming back, now you can put some more focus on leadership,” Day said this spring. “That’s what happened in the second half of the Rose Bowl, the leadership stepped up at halftime. We didn’t have that in the [Michigan] game. That’s just the truth. … So that’s that’s been a focus and identification. I think we’ve really made a lot of progress there.
“But the proof will be in the pudding moving forward.”
The trio of Buckeyes are set to become the leaders this fall.
Stroud and Smith-Njigba torched opposing defenses last season for Ohio State on their way to a record-breaking offensive season. Hickman was the leading tackler and one of the bright spots on a disappointing defense.
All three are now tasked with helping the Buckeyes return to their Big Ten title and national championship goals, which weren’t met last season.
And all three will be in Indianapolis with Day to represent the Buckeyes at Big Ten Media Days.
Trio of Buckeyes make Maxwell Award watch list
Quarterback C.J. Stroud, top wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back TreVeyon Henderson are all being listed on preseason watch lists and All-American teams, and Monday was a big one. All three were named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, which is given annually to the top player in all of college football.
Stroud missed out on being a finalist for the award a season ago, although he was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy. Smith-Njigba wasn’t considered for the award, but that changes this offseason after a 1,606-yard year last fall for the Buckeyes. Henderson enters Year Two as the Buckeyes starting running back.
