Buckeyes Earn Preseason All-America and Big Ten Honors from Phil Steele
6/10/2026 5:01:00 PM | Football
Six Ohio State players were named preseason All-Americans by the publication while 16 Buckeyes were placed on the preseason All-Big Ten team.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State football team was well represented in the 2026 release of the Phil Steele Preseason All-America and All-Big Ten teams, as announced by the publication on Wednesday.
Six Ohio State players were named preseason All-Americans by the publication while 16 Buckeyes were placed on the preseason All-Big Ten team.
The preseason All-Americans were led by first team selection junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who also was selected as the Preseason National Offensive Player of the Year by Phil Steele.
Over his first two collegiate seasons, Smith totaled 2,558 receiving yards and 27 touchdown receptions are the most by any Big Ten receiver in their first two years in college. One of two receivers in Ohio State history to have two 1,000-yd receiving seasons.
Smith has more receiving yards and receiving touchdowns - 2,558 and 27, respectively - than anyone in the country the past two seasons and he has the second-most receptions - 163 - the last two years (Toledo's Junior Vandeross has 167).
Five additional Buckeyes earned preseason All-America nods:
2026 Phil Steele Ohio State Preseason All-Americans
Ohio State also had the most Preseason All-Big Ten selections in the conference with 16 total.
The first team picks include sophomore running back Bo Jackson, junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, redshirt junior offensive lineman Austin Siereveld, safety Earl Little Jr. and long snapper Dalton Riggs.
Five Buckeyes were on the second team, five on the third team and one on the fourth team:
2026 Phil Steele Ohio State Preseason All-Big Ten
Six Ohio State players were named preseason All-Americans by the publication while 16 Buckeyes were placed on the preseason All-Big Ten team.
The preseason All-Americans were led by first team selection junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who also was selected as the Preseason National Offensive Player of the Year by Phil Steele.
Over his first two collegiate seasons, Smith totaled 2,558 receiving yards and 27 touchdown receptions are the most by any Big Ten receiver in their first two years in college. One of two receivers in Ohio State history to have two 1,000-yd receiving seasons.
Smith has more receiving yards and receiving touchdowns - 2,558 and 27, respectively - than anyone in the country the past two seasons and he has the second-most receptions - 163 - the last two years (Toledo's Junior Vandeross has 167).
Five additional Buckeyes earned preseason All-America nods:
2026 Phil Steele Ohio State Preseason All-Americans
| Team | Player | Position |
| First Team | Jeremiah Smith | Wide Receiver |
| Third Team | Julian Sayin | Quarterback |
| Third Team | Luke Montgomery | Offensive Guard |
| Third Team | Austin Siereveld | Offensive Tackle |
| Fourth Team | Earl Little Jr. | Safety |
| Fourth Team | Dalton Riggs | Long Snapper |
Ohio State also had the most Preseason All-Big Ten selections in the conference with 16 total.
The first team picks include sophomore running back Bo Jackson, junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, redshirt junior offensive lineman Austin Siereveld, safety Earl Little Jr. and long snapper Dalton Riggs.
Five Buckeyes were on the second team, five on the third team and one on the fourth team:
2026 Phil Steele Ohio State Preseason All-Big Ten
| Team | Player | Position |
| First Team | Bo Jackson | Running Back |
| First Team | Jeremiah Smith | Wide Receiver |
| First Team | Austin Siereveld | Offensive Tackle |
| First Team | Earl Little Jr. | Safety |
| First Team | Dalton Riggs | Long Snapper |
| Second Team | Julian Sayin | Quarterback |
| Second Team | Luke Montgomery | Offensive Guard |
| Second Team | John Walker | Defensive Tackle |
| Second Team | Payton Pierce | Linebacker |
| Second Team | Devin Sanchez | Cornerback |
| Third Team | Carson Hinzman | Center |
| Third Team | Phillip Daniels | Offensive Tackle |
| Third Team | Qua Russaw | Defensive End |
| Third Team | Kenyatta Jackson | Defensive End |
| Third Team | Christian Alliegro | Linebacker |
| Fourth Team | Connor Hawkins | Kicker |
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