Seven Ohio State players tabbed PFF All-Americans
COLUMBUS — Pro Football Focus released its All-American teams Tuesday, and seven Ohio State players made the cut.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud, a Heisman Trophy favorite much of the season, wasn’t one of them. USC’s Caleb Williams — the current Heisman frontrunner — Alabama’s Bryce Young and North Carolina’s Drake Maye are PFF’s first-, second- and third-team All-American quarterbacks, respectively.
Even Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. was PFF’s honorable mention All-American signal caller.
It’s worth noting, however, that Stroud’s PFF offensive grade was 8.1 points lower (84.1) than it was in 2021 (92.2). The redshirt sophomore’s completion percentage dipped from 71.9% (2021) to 66.2% (2022), and he threw for 1,000-plus fewer yards than he did last year while his PFF turnover-worthy play rate climbed from 2.5% (2021) to 3.7% (2022).
Stroud still had a remarkable regular season, as evidenced by his 37 touchdown passes — tied for the most in the FBS — and his 176.25 passer rating, which is tops in the country.
But, without further ado, here are the seven Buckeyes who did, in fact, earn recognition from PFF.
Ohio State’s PFF first-team All-Americans
WR Marvin Harrison Jr.: Harrison is tied for third nationally with 12 touchdown catches this season. He’s one of two Ohio State receivers to go over 1,000 receiving yards in 2022. And he has just one drop in 108 targets, per PFF.
RT Dawand Jones: The 6-foot-8, 350-pound Buckeyes right tackle was dominant at times this season. Jones is one of eight tackles nationally with both 80-plus PFF pass and run blocking grades in 2022. Jones didn’t allow a sack and gave up only four pressures in 372 pass blocking snaps.
LB Tommy Eichenberg: Eichenberg is tied for second nationally with 72 solo tackles. To put that into perspective, Eichenberg had 64 total tackles last season.
Ohio State’s PFF second-team All-American
S Ronnie Hickman: Hickman is fourth among all Buckeyes defenders in total tackles (51) this season. He’s also tops on the team in passes defended (six). His team-high 89.4 PFF coverage grade is a testament to that — Hickman has allowed a mere 12 receptions on 29 targets in 2022, per PFF.
Ohio State’s PFF third-team All-American
C Luke Wypler: Wypler has posted the highest PFF pass blocking grade (87.0) of any Ohio State player this season. That mark is good for fourth nationally. He’s also in the 80-grade-range for run blocking.
Ohio State’s PFF honorable mention All-Americans
WR Emeka Egbuka: Egbuka is the Buckeyes’ other 1,000-yard receiver. His breakout sophomore campaign has been overshadowed by Harrison’s, but it’s been impressive nonetheless. Egbuka has grabbed five or more passes in eight of Ohio State’s 12 games this season.
LT Paris Johnson Jr.: According to PFF, Johnson just allowed the second sack of his career last weekend against Michigan. Brutal timing, but it goes to show how reliable he’s been in a Buckeyes uniform. He wrapped the regular season with only 10 pressures allowed — four fewer than he conceded at right guard last year, per PFF.
