Ohio State Players Finalists for Nine National Awards

Buckeyes are finalists for nine different national awards. One player from each level of Ohio State's defense will have a chance at hardware. Safety Caleb Downs is nominated for no less than four.

A 2024 finalist for the Thorpe Award, given to the nation's best defensive back, Downs will get a second shot at winning the trophy after Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron ultimately took it home last season. But Downs' ambitions go beyond being recognized as the best defensive back in the nation. He's also up for both major defensive player of the year awards: the Chuck Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

Completing the quartet of finalist nods for Downs is the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which is given annually to a defensive player who shows excellence both on the field and in the community. Downs, the centerpiece of another No. 1 scoring and total Ohio State defense again in 2025, has 49 tackles with five tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions and a pass breakup this season.

Quarterback Julian Sayin is Ohio State's other player up for multiple awards, the Davey O'Brien Award (best quarterback) and Maxwell Award (best player). Finalists for the Heisman Trophy, which Sayin is considered a central candidate for, won't be announced until after voting is concluded on Dec. 8. Sayin leads the nation in completion percentage (79.4%) this season and is tied for fourth in yards per pass attempt (9.4). He's racked up 2,832 passing yards and 27 touchdowns with just four interceptions in total.

Jeremiah Smith, to little surprise, is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to college football's best receiver. The sophomore sensation's stats are fantastic, even after missing the last one-and-a-half games, with 69 receptions for 902 yards and 10 touchdowns. But beyond that, it's the gravity he brings when on the field for Ohio State, drawing hordes of defenders his direction to open up other players. It's a direct driver of Sayin's nation-best completion rate.

Arvell Reese is up for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's best linebacker, as one of the biggest breakout stars in college football this year. A weapon of strength, burst, instinct and violence, Reese has been deployed all over the place by defensive coordinator Matt Patricia for Ohio State this year, and he's been a terror. Reese has 59 tackles with 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks this season.

Lastly but not leastly, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald is a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the best interior lineman – that's offense or defense – in college football. A space-eater at nose guard, McDonald's stat line is incredible for the position, with 47 tackles, eight TFLs, three sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Ohio State's run defense is No. 2 nationally (80 yards allowed per game) with McDonald as its anchor.