Three of Ohio State’s biggest stars and its most improved unit have been named semifinalists for national awards this week.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was named Wednesday as a semifinalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, which honors college football’s best player. He’s one of just two wide receivers on the list of 20 semifinalists along with Colorado’s Travis Hunter, who also plays cornerback for the Buffaloes.
Here is the @WalterCampFF Player of Year Semifinalists Watch List, presented by McDermott Lexus of New Haven
— Walter Camp Football (@WalterCampFF) November 13, 2024
20 players representing six leagues (and independents) @ncfaa https://t.co/T7BA23ZKcQ pic.twitter.com/HM89EaIRph
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard was named Tuesday as a semifinalist for the Davey O’Brien Award, which honors college football’s best quarterback. The Kansas State transfer, who ranks second in the FBS in completion percentage (74%) and third in passer rating (182.5), is one of 16 semifinalists for the award.
O-H-I-O vote for W-I-L-L! Like this photo on @daveyobrien official accounts on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook. The top fan vote getters receive bonus Selection Committee votes as we get closer to deciding our National Quarterback of the Year! #DaveyQBs #GoBucks @whoward_ pic.twitter.com/g6dDdMYO53
— Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award (@daveyobrien) November 12, 2024
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who was already named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award two weeks ago, was named a semifinalist for two national defensive player of the year awards this week. He’s one of 20 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award and one of nine semifinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
The #MaxwellFootballClub has announced the National Semifinalists for the #BednarikAward Congratulations to all of the outstanding players!
— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) November 12, 2024
VOTE NOW BY CLICKING THE LINK BELOWhttps://t.co/xfrommJanh pic.twitter.com/ApXqusTMDt
Lott Impact , @caleb_downs2 pic.twitter.com/zdbE8SIUPQ
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) November 11, 2024
Ohio State’s entire offensive line is one of 10 semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award, which honors the nation’s best offensive line. The Buckeyes’ selection as a semifinalist speaks to how much that unit has improved after it was Ohio State’s clear weakness in 2023.
JOE MOORE AWARD ANNOUNCES 2024 SEMIFINALISTS
— Joe Moore Award (@JoeMooreAward) November 12, 2024
Alabama, Army, Indiana, Iowa, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas , Tulanehttps://t.co/hwJMeXz2D7
Howard said he was more excited to see Ohio State’s offensive line recognized than he was for the own recognition he’s received.
“I think that that speaks a lot to the work that those guys have put in. They've caught some flack at times this year and they've had to work through injuries and shuffle around a little bit, but those guys have stuck together, man. And they've done an unbelievable job and I'm so proud of them,” Howard said Tuesday. “I don't care about my own individual accolades, but I am really excited that they got that.”
Smith has also been named a semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award while Sonny Styles was named a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, which honors college football’s best linebacker. Seth McLaughlin, one of the leaders of Ohio State’s offensive line, is also one of 16 finalists for the Campbell Trophy, which recognizes college football’s top scholar-athlete.
