Ohio State’s two biggest stars on each side of the ball were named semifinalists for national awards on Tuesday.
Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith were named semifinalists for the Maxwell Award, which honors college football’s most outstanding player. All of this year’s 13 semifinalists are offensive skill-position players.
The Maxwell Football Club is proud to announce the semifinalists for the 2025 #MaxwellAward Congratulations to all of the outstanding student athletes! #MaxwellFootball pic.twitter.com/E9mAdzhuLm
— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) November 11, 2025
Caleb Downs and Arvell Reese were named semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, which honors college football’s best defensive player.
The Maxwell Football Club is proud to announce the semifinalists for the 2025 #BednarikAward Congratulations to all of the outstanding student athletes! #MaxwellFootball pic.twitter.com/PfUSw64jaE
— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) November 11, 2025
Ohio State is the only school with two semifinalists for both awards. OSU is the only school with two Maxwell Award semifinalists, while Texas Tech is the only other school with two Bednarik Award semifinalists (David Bailey and Jacob Rodriguez).