Ohio State had four of its players recognized as awards lists are being narrowed down.
Quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith were named semifinalists for the Maxwell Award, which is given to the best player in the country in college football each year.
The Buckeyes were also recognized on the other side of the ball, with safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Arvell Reese named semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the best defender in college football each season.
It’s no surprise to see Sayin or Smith as one of 13 semifinalists for the Maxwell Award since both are still in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy. Sayin is currently the favorite to win the award, depending on where you go to look at the odds.
He has completed 203 of 251 passes (80.9 percent) for 2,491 yards, 24 touchdowns and just four interceptions, his first pick against a Power Four team coming this past weekend in the 34-10 win over Purdue. That game was his sixth time this season throwing for over 300 yards and his fifth time completing over 80 percent of his passes.
Smith may have taken a bit of a backseat to Sayin in the Heisman conversation, but the sophomore receiver is still putting up big numbers. He has 65 catches for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns, already climbing up the all-time leaderboards in Ohio State history in just his second season.
Downs and Reese have both been huge parts of the No. 1 Ohio State defense that is allowing just 7.2 points per game this season. Both are extremely versatile, with their athleticism and knowledge of the game allowing them to do many different things in defensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s unit.
Reese leads the team in tackles with 55 stops, 10 for loss and 6.5 sacks. He has also broken up two passes and hurried the quarterback twice. Downs is third on the team with 43 tackles and has three for loss, while adding two interceptions.
Finalists for the Maxwell Award will be revealed on Nov. 25, and the winner will be announced on Dec. 11 at the College Football Award Show on ESPN. Three finalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be revealed on Nov. 27, and the winner will be announced the same day as the Maxwell Award winner.
