Ohio State had four players named to the Associated Press’ All-America first team, with an additional two Buckeyes earning second- and third-team honors.
Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, linebacker Arvell Reese, safety Caleb Downs and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith each were named AP first-team All-Americans, wide receiver Carnell Tate and linebacker Sonny Styles earned second-team honors, and quarterback Julian Sayin and defensive end Caden Curry were placed on the third team.
McDonald, Reese and Downs lead the way for the nation’s top-ranked scoring (8.2) and total defense (213.5). Reese ranks second on the Buckeyes with 62 total tackles and 10 tackles for loss. Downs ranks tied for third with 60 tackles with Curry, and has two interceptions, while McDonald has earned 57 tackles, eight tackles for loss and a team-high two forced fumbles this season.
Tate has been dominant alongside Smith this season, ranking second on Ohio State with 48 catches for 838 yards and nine touchdowns. Styles is the Buckeyes’ leading tackler (80 total) and has added a forced fumble and an interception.
On the third team, Sayin ranks second in the FBS with 31 passing touchdowns, adding 3,323 yards with the nation’s best completion percentage (78.37). Curry, on the other hand, leads the Buckeyes in both tackles for loss (16.5) and sacks (11) ranking 14th and tied for sixth in those categories nationally, respectively.
It marks the fourth-straight year that Ohio State has had at least one player named an AP first-team All American.
McDonald, Reese , Downs and Smith were also named first-team Walter Camp All-Americans while Sayin and Curry were included on the second team on Dec. 12.
