Sayin and Smith Placed on Walter Camp Preseason Watch List

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith were placed on the Walter Camp preseason watch list, as announced by the Walter Camp Football Foundation Monday afternoon.

Both players were named semifinalists for the award a year ago while Sayin was one of five finalists for the award and is the only returning finalist in 2026. Ohio State is one of just nine schools to have multiple players on the list. Additionally, Smith is one of just six wide receivers in the country to make the watch list.

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 three 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).

Sayin won his first 12 games as the starter for Ohio State, becoming the third Buckeye quarterback in the Ryan Day era to do so.

In the process, he became a Heisman Trophy finalist and led the nation in completion percentage (77.0 pct.), ranking second nationally in efficiency (177.5) while throwing for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns (fourth nationally) with only eight interceptions.

His 77.0 completion percentage in 2025 is the best in single-season program history, is a Big Ten Record and also is third highest in FBS history (Bo Nix in 2023 at Oregon (77.4 pct.) and Mac Jones in 2020 at Alabama (77.4 pct.).
3,610 passing yards in 2025 ranks fifth in single-season program history. 301 pass completions in 2025 rank fourth in single-season program history.

He became the first Ohio State quarterback to complete better than 85 pct. of his passes in a game for over 300 yards and at least three TDs and no interceptions when he did so vs. Minnesota (85.2 pct.-326 yards-3 TDs) on Oct. 4, 2025 and Wisconsin (85.7-393-4) on Oct. 18, 2025.

Sayin goes into the 2026 season with six career 300-plus yard passing games which ranks sixth in career program history.

Walter Camp Award Process
The 2026 Player of Year watch list will be narrowed to 10 semi-finalists in early November and three finalists will be announced in early December. The 2026 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, which is voted on by the 138 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced in the second week of 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
Lombardi Award Watch List:
Thrope Award Watch List:
- Earl Little Jr.
ESPN Preseason All-America
- Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and quarterback Julian Sayin were both named to the first team ahead of the 2026 season.

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