Five Buckeyes Named To AP Preseason All-American Teams

Five Ohio State football players landed on the Associated Press Preseason All-American Teams on Monday, with three Buckeyes named to the first team.

Sophomore running back TreVeyon Henderson and juniors tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba were placed on the AP Preseason All-American first team, while third-year quarterback C.J. Stroud and senior tackle Dawand Jones landed on the second team.

The Buckeyes contain the second-most total players to be named as AP Preseason All-Americans, trailing only Alabama, who registered 10 members named to either team — four on the first team and six on the second team. Georgia followed Alabama and Ohio State with four players on either team, with three on the first team and one on the second.

Smith-Njigba highlights the Buckeyes’ first-teamers, entering the 2022 season off of a record-breaking sophomore campaign — in which he shattered single-season program records in receptions (95) and receiving yards (1,606) en route to a Rose Bowl win.

As a freshman, Henderson broke the freshman touchdown record — scoring 19 teams during his first season with the program. He added 1,248 rushing yards, for an average of 6.8 yards per carry, in 2021. Johnson played a key role in opening those holes for Henderson, starting at guard for the Buckeyes in 2021. This season, Johnson slots back into his natural position at left tackle — where he rose to be the No. 1 tackle prospect in the 2020 class according to 247Sports’ composite score.

Stroud slotted in as the second-team quarterback behind reigning Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young, who earned first-team honors. The Inland Empire, Calif., native threw for 4,435 yards, 44 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 71.9 percent of his passes during his first season as the starter. He finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting last season.

Jones started in 14 games for the Buckeyes last season, aiding the Buckeyes to No. 1 ranks in yards per game (561.2) and points per game (45.7).