Hinzman Named to the Witten Man of the Year Watch List

DALLAS, Texas – Ohio State offensive lineman Carson Hinzman was named to the Jason Witten Man of the Year Watch List, as announced Thursday afternoon.

In addition to the Man of the Year Watch List, Hinzman was also named to the Rimington Watch List, Outland Watch List and Lombardi Watch List prior to the season.

Hinzman has been a leader on the offensive line since becoming a starter along the Ohio State offensive line during his sophomore season in 2023. He was a key part in the Buckeyes capturing the national championship in 2024. During his career, he has played in 40 games, making 37 career starts and has totaled nearly 2,000 snaps played more than anyone else currently on the team.

Off the field, he has been a leader in the community, contributing to efforts including preparing meals for homeless at shelter, organizing and attending Nationwide Children's visits at multiple locations, visiting patients at the James Cancer Hospital, holding game night at Ronald McDonald non-profit house, donating to Goodwill & local churches, reading children's books to local area kids, participating in The Memorial Golf Children's Event, attending "A Kid Again" at Columbus Zoo & Ohio Stadium, being an advocate for the Ohio beef council, attending agriculture awareness events, speaking and volunteering at cattle show, helping elderly farmers and connecting them with younger generations, donating turkeys to those in need on Thanksgiving and volunteering to spend time with kids with autism and other disabilities.

Hinzman also co-founded the Grit & Grain Foundation with his father, Jon. The foundation will give
kids from rural and blue-collar communities more opportunities to succeed.

Witten Man of the Year Award
The Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award is presented annually to the FBS college football player who has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field. The award honors the type of exemplary character and commitment to community, family and teammates demonstrated by Jason Witten, the 2012 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year and one of the most prominent role models in the game.

Semifinalists for the award will be announced in October and the finalists in December. The winner of the award is announced in February after the season.

Ohio State Watch Lists and 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:
- Bo Jackson
- Julian Sayin
- Jeremiah Smith
Mannelly Preseason Watch List:
- Dalton Riggs
Outland Trophy Watch List:
- Carson Hinzman
- Luke Montgomery
- Austin Siereveld
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:
- Carson Hinzman
- Luke Montgomery
- Austin Siereveld
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.
Walter Camp Watch List:
- Julian Sayin
- Jeremiah Smith
Doak Walker Watch List:
- Bo Jackson
CBS Preseason All-America
- Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and offensive lineman Luke Montgomery were both named to the first team ahead of the 2026 season.
AP Preseason All-America
- Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was named a first team selection and offensive lineman Luke Montgomery was placed on the second team ahead of the 2026 season.
Biletnikoff Watch List:
- Jeremiah Smith
Unitas Golden Arm Watch List:
- Julian Sayin
Senior Bowl 300
- Ohio State had 16 players selected to the Senior Bowl 300, the most of any school. Four different position rooms had three or more selections to the Senior Bowl 300.
Polynesian Player of the Year:
- Chris Henry Jr.
O'Brien Watch List:
- Julian Sayin
Bednarik Watch List:
- Kenyatta Jackson Jr.
- Earl Little Jr.
Manning Watch List:
- Julian Sayin
Alexander Freshman of the Year:
- Chris Henry Jr.
- Jay Timmons
- Cincere Johnson
Hispanic Player of the Year:
- Devin Sanchez

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