Buckeyes Earn Preseason All-America and Big Ten Honors from Athlon
6/26/2026 5:43:00 PM | Football
Seven 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 Athlon Preseason All-America and All-Big Ten teams, as announced by the publication on Friday.Â
Seven Ohio State players were named preseason All-Americans by the publication while 16 Buckeyes were placed on the preseason All-Big Ten team. Additionally, the publication picked the Buckeyes to win the Big Ten.Â
The preseason All-Americans were led by first team selection junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Â
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. Â
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).Â
Six additional Buckeyes earned preseason All-America nods:Â
2026 Athlon Ohio State Preseason All-AmericansÂ
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Ohio State also had the most Preseason All-Big Ten selections in the conference with 16 total. Â
The first team picks include redshirt sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin, sophomore running back Bo Jackson, junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, redshirt junior offensive lineman Austin Siereveld and senior offensive lineman Luke Montgomery.Â
Eight Buckeyes were on the second team, one on the third team and two on the fourth team:Â
2026 Athlon Ohio State Preseason All-Big TenÂ
Seven Ohio State players were named preseason All-Americans by the publication while 16 Buckeyes were placed on the preseason All-Big Ten team. Additionally, the publication picked the Buckeyes to win the Big Ten.Â
The preseason All-Americans were led by first team selection junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Â
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. Â
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).Â
Six additional Buckeyes earned preseason All-America nods:Â
2026 Athlon Ohio State Preseason All-AmericansÂ
| Team | Player | Position |
| First Team | Jeremiah Smith | Wide Receiver |
| Second Team | Julian Sayin | Quarterback |
| Second Team | Austin Siereveld | Offensive Line |
| Third Team | Bo Jackson | Running Back |
| Fourth Team | Luke Montgomery | Offensive Line |
| Fourth Team | Carson Hinzman | Offensive Line |
| Fourth Team | Kenyatta Jackson Jr. | Defensive Line |
Ohio State also had the most Preseason All-Big Ten selections in the conference with 16 total. Â
The first team picks include redshirt sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin, sophomore running back Bo Jackson, junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, redshirt junior offensive lineman Austin Siereveld and senior offensive lineman Luke Montgomery.Â
Eight Buckeyes were on the second team, one on the third team and two on the fourth team:Â
2026 Athlon Ohio State Preseason All-Big TenÂ
| Team | Player | Position |
| First Team | Julian Sayin | Quarterback |
| First Team | Bo Jackson | Running Back |
| First Team | Jeremiah Smith | Wide Receiver |
| First Team | Austin Siereveld | Offensive Line |
| First Team | Luke Montgomery | Offensive Line |
| Second Team | Carson Hinzman | Offensive Line |
| Second Team | Qua Russaw | Defensive Line |
| Second Team | Kenyatta Jackson | Defensive Line |
| Second Team | Payton Pierce | Linebacker |
| Second Team | Devin Sanchez | Cornerback |
| Second Team | Earl Little Jr. | Safety |
| Second Team | Connor Hawkins | Kicker |
| Second Team | Brandon Inniss | Punt Returner |
| Third Team | James Smith | Defensive Lineman |
| Fourth Team | Phillip Daniels | Offensive Lineman |
| Fourth Team | Christian Alliegro | Linebacker |
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