Ohio State is well-represented in the Big Ten's preseason honors.
The Buckeyes tied with Penn State with three selections on the 16-member squad, with Jeremiah Smith, Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles representing Ohio State. Smith was the conference's only player unanimously chosen by a media panel.
Last season, Smith caught 76 passes for 1,315 yards and 15 wide receivers as a true freshman and has since become college football's most recognizable athlete. Downs is arguably the best returning defensive player in the country and finished with 81 tackles, six pass deflections, two interceptions, a half a sack and a punt return touchdown in his first season in Columbus. Styles returns for his fourth and final year at Ohio State and hopes to build off a junior season where he finished with 100 tackles, six sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and five pass deflections.
The complete list of players to receive Big Ten preseason honors is below. In all, seven of the league's 18 schools are represented.
- Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State
- Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
- Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
- Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois
- Gabe Jacas, LB, Illinois
- Mikail Kamara, DL, Indiana
- D’Angelo Ponds, DB, Indiana
- Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
- Logan Jones, C, Iowa
- Koi Perich, S, Minnesota
- Matayo Uiagalelei, DE, Oregon
- Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
- Drew Allar, QB, Penn State
- Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE, Penn State
- Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
