Caleb Downs and Seth McLaughlin have landed on their third first-team All-American list together this postseason, though this one is the most prestigious.
On Thursday, Ohio State's star safety and center were named Walter Camp first-team All-Americans on ESPN's College Football Awards show. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith received second-team honors, adding another accolade to a historic freshman season.
Smith is the first freshman wide receiver in Ohio State history to be named a first- or second-team All-American.
Here is the nation's oldest college football All-American team - the 135th edition of the @WaltercampFF 1st and 2nd teams https://t.co/VoPUVl0Bty pic.twitter.com/kWYhR2XiZ8
— Walter Camp Football (@WalterCampFF) December 13, 2024
McLaughlin and Downs previously landed first-team All-American nods from CBS Sports and The Athletic. The Walter Camp All-American team is the first of the five All-American teams that determine which players are consensus and unanimous All-Americans. The other four from the AFCA (Friday), AP (Monday), FWAA (Tuesday) and Sporting News (Wednesday) will be announced over the next week.
Downs has been a superstar in Ohio State's defense since transferring in from Alabama this past offseason, playing in the box, in the slot and most prevalently back deep at safety. He's the top tackling non-linebacker on the team and third in tackles overall with 62 takedowns in 2024. His missile-like nose for the ball shows in his 6.5 tackles for loss, and he's added an interception with three pass breakups.
Downs was also a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award during Thursday’s night awards show, but that award went to Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron.
McLaughlin's selection as a Walter Camp first-teamer only further solidifies his place as college football's best at his position after he collected the Rimington Trophy on Thursday, awarded annually to the best center in college football. He spearheaded an early-season resurgence of Ohio State's offensive line, proving dominant as both a run and pass blocker for 10 games before he tore his Achilles in practice, ending his season.
Smith set Ohio State's single-season freshman records for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns this year with 57 catches for 934 yards and 10 scores. He is also one of five finalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, which will be announced on Dec. 29.
Downs, McLaughlin and Smith were each also named first-team All-Big Ten, with Smith earning Big Ten Receiver and Freshman of the Year honors and Downs winning the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year Award.
