Pair of Buckeyes stars named to Thorpe Award preseason watch list

COLUMBUS — The Ohio State defense is being reconstructed to be more safety-driven and friendly on the cornerbacks.

The folks creating preseason watch lists are apparently well-aware that the Buckeyes defense should be much better this fall. A pair of Buckeyes star defensive backs — safety Ronnie Hickman and cornerback Denzel Burke — were both named to the preseason watch list for the Thorpe Award, given annually to the top defensive back in the country.

Hickman, who led the team in tackle last season, will be coached by new safeties coach Perry Eliano, who was the defensive backs coach for reigning Thorpe Award winner Coby Bryant at Cincinnati last fall.

Burke, meanwhile, is heading into a sophomore season with high expectations after impressing as a true freshman starter a year ago.

Both have now landed on the Thorpe Award watch list. Don’t be surprised if either of them win it with the new defense in place.

Other Buckeyes on preseason watch lists, All-American teams

Quarterback C.J. Stroud, Smith-Njigba and running back TreVeyon Henderson were all named to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, which is given annually to the top player in all of college football, on Monday. Stroud, the Buckeyes second-year starting quarterback, was among 35 quarterbacks named to the Davey O’Brien Award watch list, and he is among the preseason favorites to win the award. That watch list came out Tuesday.

TreVeyon Henderson and Smith-Njigba were both named preseason first-team All-Americans by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. Another pair of Buckeyes, tackle Dawand Jones and kicker Noah Ruggles, were second-team selections. That list came out at the beginning of July. Stroud was not on that list. He was beat out by Alabama’s Bryce Young and USC’s Caleb Williams for the two quarterback spots.

Henderson was also named to the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the country’s top running back, on Wednesday. And Smith-Njigba was listed as a preseason player to watch for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the top receiver each year.

Ohio State center Luke Wypler was named to the Rimington Trophy watch list last week.