Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles and Caden Curry are being recognized as three of the best defensive players in the country.
All three Ohio State defenders were named Tuesday as semifinalists for the Lombardi Award, which honors college football’s best lineman or linebacker. Ohio State is the only school with three players among the 13 semifinalists for the award.
Reese and Styles were also named Tuesday as two of the 12 semifinalists for the Butkus Award, which honors college football’s best linebacker.
Reese has been one of Ohio State’s top breakout stars this season, leading the Buckeyes with 54 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Styles has also been a standout alongside Reese, recording 45 tackles – with zero missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus – with 2.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, an interception and a pass breakup.
Curry has been one of college football’s most productive defensive ends, recording 37 tackles with 10.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks in Ohio State’s first eight games of the season.
The winners of the Lombardi and Butkus Awards will be announced in December.
