HARTLINE TO USF
Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline to become the next head coach at USF.
Ohio State has the Big Ten’s best player at all three levels of the defense.
The Buckeyes pulled off a clean sweep of the Big Ten’s major defensive awards on Wednesday as the conference named Caleb Downs the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Back of the Year, Arvell Reese the Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and Kayden McDonald the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year.
More than half of the Buckeyes’ starting defenders earned All-Big Ten honors. Linebacker Sonny Styles joined Downs, Reese and McDonald in earning first-team honors on both the coaches and media ballots. Defensive end Caden Curry and cornerback Davison Igbinosun also earned first-team honors from the Big Ten’s panel of media voters, while the Big Ten coaches selected them to their second team.
Cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. earned third-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches, while safety Jaylen McClain was a third-team selection by the media. Defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr., safety Lorenzo Styles Jr. and defensive tackle Tywone Malone Jr. all earned honorable mention recognition on the coaches and media ballots. Rotational defensive tackle Eddrick Houston and linebacker Payton Pierce also received honorable mention nods from the media.
On special teams, Ohio State long snapper John Ferlmann received second-team honors from the media and a third-team selection from the coaches. Kicker Jayden Fielding is an honorable mention on the coaches’ ballot.
Ohio State’s full list of defensive and special teams players who received All-Big Ten recognition on Wednesday:
| Player | Awards |
|---|---|
| DEFENSE | |
| S Caleb Downs | Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, First-team All-Big Ten (coaches/media) |
| DT Kayden McDonald | Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, First-team All-Big Ten (coaches/media) |
| LB Arvell Reese | Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, First-team All-Big Ten (coaches/media) |
| LB Sonny Styles | First-team All-Big Ten (coaches/media) |
| DE Caden Curry | First-team All-Big Ten (media), second-team All-Big Ten (coaches) |
| CB Davison Igbinosun | First-team All-Big Ten (media), second-team All-Big Ten (coaches) |
| CB Jermaine Mathews Jr. | Third-team All-Big Ten (coaches), honorable mention All-Big Ten (media) |
| S Jaylen McClain | Third-team All-Big Ten (media), honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches) |
| DE Kenyatta Jackson Jr. | Honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches/media) |
| DT Tywone Malone Jr. | Honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches/media) |
| S Lorenzo Styles Jr. | Honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches/media) |
| DT Eddrick Houston | Honorable mention All-Big Ten (media) |
| LB Payton Pierce | Honorable mention All-Big Ten (media) |
| SPECIAL TEAMS | |
| LS John Ferlmann | Second-team All-Big Ten (media), third-team All-Big Ten (coaches) |
| K Jayden Fielding | Honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches) |
| PR/KR Brandon Inniss | Honorable mention All-Big Ten (media) |
The Big Ten will announce its offensive award winners on Thursday.
The Buckeyes’ haul of defensive awards comes after a dominant regular season by Matt Patricia’s unit in which Ohio State led the nation in both points allowed per game (7.8) and yards allowed per game (204). Ohio State’s defense was the first defense in 50 years to hold all of its first 12 opponents of the season under 17 points.
Ohio States defense is on another level this season pic.twitter.com/oqKXQfhig6
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) December 1, 2025
Downs has been the anchor of that defense from the free safety position, providing elite coverage on the back end while also making a major impact as a run defender and tackler. He recorded 52 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, two interceptions and two pass breakups during the regular season.
Reese has had a breakout season to become arguably the best linebacker in the country, recording 61 tackles with 10 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and two pass breakups in his first year as a starter.
McDonald, also a first-year starter, has been a wrecking ball in the trenches for the Buckeyes, recording 52 tackles – an eye-popping number for a nose tackle – with eight tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
Styles has been the ever-consistent leader of Ohio State’s defense, recording a team-high 68 tackles without a single missed tackles this year, with five tackles for loss, a half-sack, an interception, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Curry has been one of the Big Ten’s most productive edge rushers, ranking in the top four of the conference with nine sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss among 53 tackles.
Igbinosun has been the Buckeyes’ top cornerback, limiting opposing receivers to just 16 catches for 167 yards with zero touchdowns on 40 targets in coverage, per Pro Football Focus. He’s also recorded 39 tackles and eight pass breakups and had the game-sealing interception in Ohio State’s regular-season finale against Michigan.
