Ohio State stars finalists for nine national awards

COLUMBUS – Ohio State is the No. 1 team in the country heading into The Game due in large part to the talent on the field.

The Buckeyes have some of the top players in college football and could win national awards. Matter of fact, five Ohio State players are finalist for nine national awards.

Bednarik Award – Caleb Downs

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given annually to the best defensive player in college football by the Maxwell Football Club. Only one Ohio State player has ever won the Chuck Bedarik Award, which has been given out every year since 1995. That was defensive end Chase Young in 2019.

Bronko Nagurski Trophy – Caleb Downs

Downs is also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. Similar to the Bednarik Award, the Nagurski Trophy is given to the best defensive player in college football but it is awarded by the Charlotte Touchdown Club and Football Writers Association of America. Two Ohio State players have one the Bronko Nagurski Trophy: Young in 2019 and James Laurinaitis in 2006.

Lott Impact Trophy – Caleb Downs 

The third national trophy that Downs is a finalist for is the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Named after Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott, the Lott IMPACT Trophy is given annually to the Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year, which the award deems as the player “who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field.” IMPACT stands for “Integrity,” “Maturity,” “Performance,” “Academics,” “Community” and “Tenacity.”

The aforementioned Laurinaitis won the Lott IMPACT Trophy in 2008. He is the only Buckeye that has won the award.

Thorpe Award – Caleb Downs

Finally, Downs is a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award which is given annually to the best defensive back in college football based on performance on the field, athletic ability and character. Two Buckeyes have won the Thorpe Award: Antoine Winfield in 1998 and Malcolm Jenkins in 2008.

Davey O’Brien Award – Julian Sayin

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin is also a finalist for multiple postseason awards. The first one is the Davey O’Brien Quarterback Award which is awarded a signal-caller who exemplify Davey O’Brien’s enduring character while exhibiting teamwork, sportsmanship, and leadership in both academics and athletics. Troy Smith won the Davey O’Brien Award in 2006.

Maxwell Award – Julian Sayin 

Sayin is also a finalist for the Maxwell Award. It is presented annually to the most outstanding player in the sport, recognizing excellence on the field and exceptional contributions to the game. Four Ohio State players have won the Maxwell Award: Howard Cassidy (1955), Robert Ferguson (1961), Archie Griffin (1975) and Eddie George (1995).

Biletnikoff Award – Jeremiah Smith 

Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given annually to the country’s most outstanding wide receiver for each college football season. Marvin Harrison Jr. was the last Ohio State player to win the Biletnikoff Award in 2023. The only other Buckeye to win the award was Terry Glenn in 1995.

Butkus Award – Arvell Reese  

Fellow Ohio State star Arvell Reese is a finalist for the Butkus Award which is given annually to the most impactful linebacker in college football. Reese’s current linebackers coach James Laurinaitis won the Butkus Award in 2007. Andy Katzenmoyer also won the award in 1997.

Outland Trophy – Kayden McDonald  

Ohio State defensive lineman Kayden McDonald is a finalist for the Outland Trophy which is awarded annually by the Football Writers Association of America Outland Trophy to the best college football interior lineman in the United States. Four Ohio State players have won the Outland Trophy: offensive lineman Jim Parker (1956), defensive lineman Jim Stillwagon (1970), offensive lineman John Hicks (1973) and offensive lineman Orlando Pace (1996).