Hinzman, Siereveld and Montgomery Chosen for 2026 Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List

HOUSTON, Texas – Ohio State has three offensive linemen named to the 2026 Lombardi Award Preseason Watch List, as announced Tuesday afternoon.

Center Carson Hinzman and guards Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld are all named to the watch list for the first time in their careers.

The trio makes Ohio State one of six schools to have three athletes named to the watch list and the only school to have three or more offensive linemen on the list

More on the Watch List Members
All three offensive linemen started in the Buckeyes' 14 games in the 2025 season, helping quarterback Julian Sayin to have the second-best pass efficiency in college football (177.5).

Montgomery led the way, playing 870 snaps on offense and special teams. He was named a Second-team All-American (AFCA), Second Team All-Big Ten, OSU Scholar Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten Conference.

Hinzman totaled 841 snaps on offense and special teams, earning First-team All-American, Third Team All-Big Ten, Academic All-Big Ten and OSU Scholar Athlete for his work on and off the field.

Siereveld tallied 810 snaps on the offensive line as a redshirt sophomore. He was named a team captain, Second Team All-Big Ten, OSU Scholar Athlete and Academic All-Big Ten Conference in the 2025 season.

Lombardi Award Process
Candidate Eligibility & Voting Criteria:
To be considered for the Lombardi Award™, players must be a NCAA FBS College Football team member and meet the following qualifications:

Be a down Lineman, end to end, either on offense or defense, setting up no further than ten (10) yards to the left or right of the ball at the time of the snap.

Be a Linebacker on defense, setting up no further than five (5) yards deep from the line of scrimmage.

Must not come out of the offensive backfield and set up on the line of scrimmage as a Blocker or a Receiver or listed in the program as an Offensive Back or Receiver.

Be eligible to participate in the current season.

The midseason watchlist will be announced in mid-October and the semifinal list in early November. The finalists will be announced in mid-November with the winner being selected in December.

Ohio State Preseason Honors

Phil Steele:
- Six Ohio State players were named preseason All-Americans by the publication while 16 Buckeyes were placed on the preseason All-Big Ten team.

Athlon Sports:
- Seven Ohio State players were named preseason All-Americans by the publication while 16 Buckeyes were placed on the preseason All-Big Ten team.

Walter Camp:
- Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and redshirt junior offensive lineman Austin Siereveld were placed on the first team while redshirt sophomore quarterback Julian Sayin was listed as a preseason second team selection by the organization.

Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List:
- Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
- Jermaine Mathews Jr.
AFCA Good Works Nominees:
- Jaylen McClain
- Head coach Ryan Day
Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1000
- Ohio State football had 19 players selected to the Shriners Children's East-West Bowl 1000. The list includes a representative from almost every position room at Ohio State including five defensive lineman, four offensive linemen, three safeties and three wide receivers.
Big Ten Preseason Honors List:
- Julian Sayin
- Jeremiah Smith
Maxwell Preseason Watch List:
Mannelly Preseason Watch List:
- Dalton Riggs
Outland Trophy Watch List:
Nagurski Watch List:
- Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
- Jaylen McClain
Mackey Award Watch List:
- Hunter Welcing
Sporting News Preseason All-Americans:
- Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was placed on the first time while offensive linemen Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld were listed on the second team.
Rimington Trophy Watch List:
- Carson Hinzman
Lou Groza Watch List:
- Connor Hawkins
Hornung Award Watch List:
- Brandon Inniss
On3 Preseason All-Americans:
- Junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was placed on the first time while offensive linemen Luke Montgomery was listed on the second team and Austin Siereveld was placed on the third team.
Wuerffel Trophy Watch List:
- Jaylen McClain

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