Athlon names four Ohio State football players to its Preseason All-American teams |

Expectations are always high in Columbus, but as the 2025 college football season looms, Ohio State fans have more reason than ever to believe a championship run is within reach. Athlon Sports, a respected voice in college football previews and analysis, just released its Preseason All-American teams, and four Buckeyes made the cut—solidifying Ohio State’s reputation as a talent-laden powerhouse with stars ready to shine on the national stage.

The players honored reflect the strength and depth of Ryan Day’s program on both sides of the ball: wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, running back TreVeyon Henderson, offensive tackle Josh Simmons, and edge rusher Jack Sawyer were all named among the nation’s best at their positions.

Each selection carries meaning—not only for the individuals, but for a Buckeye team still hungry to reclaim the Big Ten crown and return to the College Football Playoff. After back-to-back losses to Michigan and near-miss seasons, this latest recognition serves as both validation and fuel.

Emeka Egbuka, returning for what will likely be his final season in scarlet and gray, headlines the group on offense. Named a First-Team All-American, Egbuka enters the year poised to be the primary target in an Ohio State passing game that remains one of the nation’s most explosive. Despite battling injuries during the 2024 campaign, he still posted 52 catches for 735 yards and 6 touchdowns—a “down” year by his standards, but enough to remind scouts and opponents of his elite separation and route-running.

Now fully healthy and expected to be the top option following the departure of Marvin Harrison Jr., Egbuka is set to remind everyone why he was once considered just as dangerous as his former teammate.

“He’s a technician,” said OSU receivers coach Brian Hartline. “When Emeka is locked in, he’s almost impossible to cover. He doesn’t just play fast—he plays smart.”

With a new quarterback under center, likely Julian Sayin, Egbuka’s leadership and reliability will be invaluable. Athlon’s editors cited his versatility, hands, and big-game production as reasons for his first-team nod.

TreVeyon Henderson, meanwhile, earned Second-Team All-American honors after a resurgent junior year. After a foot injury derailed much of his 2023 campaign, Henderson roared back in 2024, rushing for 1,225 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding 280 yards through the air. Known for his home-run ability, he once again became the Buckeyes’ most dynamic backfield threat—capable of turning a simple zone run into a game-breaking play.

Henderson’s combination of burst, balance, and vision has NFL scouts circling, but his decision to return for one more season speaks volumes about his commitment to finishing what he started at Ohio State.

“I came back to win it all,” Henderson said this spring. “This team has the talent. This university has the standard. We’re chasing greatness.”

If Henderson stays healthy, he could be the first OSU back since Ezekiel Elliott to finish as a Heisman finalist. Athlon’s analysis points to his explosiveness and top-end speed as traits that set him apart in a loaded national running back field.

Also earning Second-Team distinction is offensive tackle Josh Simmons, the anchor of the Buckeyes’ line and one of the most improved players in the program. After transferring from San Diego State and spending a year adjusting to Big Ten play, Simmons emerged in 2024 as a dominant force at left tackle—shutting down elite pass rushers and opening consistent running lanes for Henderson.

Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 310 pounds, Simmons combines rare athleticism with refined footwork. Coaches have raved about his work ethic and film study, and he enters 2025 with first-round buzz already building.

“He took a huge leap,” offensive line coach Justin Frye said. “Technique, confidence, consistency—he’s putting it all together. He’s the tone-setter for this line.”

With Simmons protecting Sayin’s blindside, the Buckeye offense is expected to be balanced and explosive once again—especially if the line as a whole continues to gel around him.

Rounding out the group is defensive end Jack Sawyer, who earned Third-Team All-American honors after finally breaking through as a consistent, game-wrecking presence off the edge. The former five-star recruit from Pickerington had long been seen as a future star, and in 2024, he delivered—racking up 11.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and forcing three fumbles.

Sawyer’s blend of power and speed, along with his motor and improved hand technique, made him nearly unblockable during Big Ten play. More importantly, he evolved into a vocal leader on a defense that ranked among the best in the country.

“I took it personal this year,” Sawyer said last fall. “We had goals as a defense, and I wanted to lead from the front.”

His recognition on Athlon’s list reflects both his individual growth and the Buckeyes’ overall defensive resurgence under coordinator Jim Knowles. With Sawyer returning alongside fellow edge rusher JT Tuimoloau and a loaded secondary, Ohio State’s defense is expected to be among the nation’s best again.

For Ryan Day, having four players named Preseason All-Americans sends a clear message: this roster is not just talented—it’s battle-tested, hungry, and filled with leaders who know what it takes to play at the highest level.

“This is what we build toward,” Day said. “We want our best players to be recognized, but more importantly, we want them to set the standard every day in how they work and prepare. These four guys do that.”

Beyond the individual honors, the Athlon selections help solidify Ohio State’s position as one of the preseason favorites to contend for the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. With a retooled offense, elite defensive core, and the return of cornerstone players, expectations in Columbus have never been higher.

And for the four Buckeyes honored, the preseason recognition is just a starting point.

“We’re not satisfied with lists,” Egbuka said. “We want rings. We want legacies. And we want to bring it all back to Columbus.”

As fall camp nears, those words will serve as a rallying cry—not just for the four stars on Athlon’s list, but for the entire team chasing a season that ends not with individual awards, but with a championship.