Ohio State’s 2024 national championship team nominated for an ESPY
The echoes of confetti still linger in Columbus, and the celebration just added another chapter. Ohio State’s 2024 national championship football team has officially been nominated for an ESPY Award in the Best Team category—placing the Buckeyes among the elite of all sports and cementing their unforgettable season in the broader pantheon of athletic greatness.
For a program that has long defined college football excellence, this moment is more than symbolic. It’s a national salute—a recognition that Ohio State wasn’t just the best team in college football. They were, arguably, the most compelling, dominant, and resilient team in all of sports.
And they did it with defense, swagger, and a mission to reclaim their place atop the mountain.
The 2024 Buckeyes didn’t just win—they conquered. After finishing the regular season 12–1 and defeating Michigan in Ann Arbor for the first time since 2019, the Buckeyes tore through the College Football Playoff with unmatched focus and fury.
They opened with a resounding semifinal win over Florida State, silencing doubters and showcasing the nation’s No. 1-ranked defense. Then came the national championship clash in Houston, where Ohio State dismantled the previously undefeated Texas Longhorns, 31–13, behind a relentless pass rush and a surgical offensive performance from quarterback Will Howard.
It was Ohio State’s first national title since 2014, and it came with a vengeance—avenging playoff heartbreaks from the past decade and delivering Ryan Day his first championship as head coach.
Day, whose job security was openly questioned after back-to-back losses to Michigan in 2022 and 2023, now enters 2025 as a conquering hero. The ESPY nomination only adds to the redemption arc.
The ESPYs, ESPN’s annual award show honoring excellence in sports performance, storytelling, and cultural impact, has long been considered one of the highest-profile stages for recognizing greatness beyond the box score.
In the Best Team category, Ohio State will face stiff competition from pro and collegiate champions across the sports world. Nominees typically include the NBA Finals winner, Super Bowl champion, NCAA basketball titlists, Stanley Cup winner, and major women’s sports champions. Past winners have included dynasties like the Golden State Warriors, UConn women’s basketball, and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.
For a college football team to win? It takes more than dominance. It takes national relevance, cultural resonance, and undeniable narrative power.
The 2024 Buckeyes check every box.
“This team inspired a fanbase, captivated a nation, and changed the narrative,” said ESPN’s Rece Davis. “They weren’t just great. They were galvanizing.”
Much of the Buckeyes’ success—and the reason behind their ESPY nomination—can be traced to a handful of iconic performances.
At the center was Caleb Downs, the Alabama transfer turned All-American safety, who anchored the defense with poise, leadership, and physical dominance. Downs recorded 10 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble in the national championship game and was widely considered the best defensive player in college football.
At quarterback, Will Howard, the Kansas State transfer, silenced all questions about his readiness for the spotlight. In a season of transformation, Howard delivered big throw after big throw—culminating in a near-flawless playoff run that saw him throw for 602 yards and 5 TDs across two games.
And then there were the unsung heroes:
- J.T. Tuimoloau, who wrecked Texas’s offensive line and finished with 2.5 sacks in the title game.
- Carnell Tate, the sophomore wideout who stepped up after Emeka Egbuka’s injury and caught a touchdown in both playoff games.
- Dallan Hayden, whose bruising running style proved vital in clock control and red zone execution.
- And the offensive line, led by Donovan Jackson, who gave Howard the protection he needed to operate with precision.
It was a complete team, forged through adversity and unified by belief.
What truly set the 2024 Buckeyes apart—and what many believe could tip ESPY voters in their favor—was the defensive dominance.
Jim Knowles’ unit was suffocating. They led the country in points allowed (9.8 per game), red zone efficiency, and explosive plays surrendered. No opponent reached 25 points all season. In the playoff, they faced two of the top five offenses in the country. Combined, Florida State and Texas mustered just 27 points and fewer than 700 total yards—across eight quarters.
The Buckeyes didn’t just win games. They broke spirits. That level of performance, especially in an era dominated by offensive fireworks, was historic.
“People say defense doesn’t win anymore,” Knowles said after the championship game. “We set out to prove otherwise.”
It’s worth remembering where Ohio State started in 2024. The fanbase was divided after another close loss to Michigan. Critics questioned Day’s ability to win the biggest games. The quarterback room was in flux. NIL pressures were mounting.
But rather than fold, the program adapted.
Day hired veteran offensive mind Chip Lindsey as co-offensive coordinator. He brought in Howard to stabilize the quarterback room. He lured Downs from Alabama and former five-star tackle Kadyn Proctor. He empowered Knowles to build around speed and aggression.
The result? A team that played with edge, purpose, and trust.
“Every championship team has that one moment where they choose who they’re going to be,” Day said at the ESPY announcement. “For us, it was the Michigan game. After that, our guys locked in and never looked back.”
The ESPY nomination doesn’t just celebrate a football team. It recognizes a story of leadership, perseverance, and growth.
Players like Howard and Downs were transfers who took risks and found family. Veterans like Tuimoloau, Jackson, and Xavier Johnson returned not for money or clout—but for one more shot at glory. Young stars emerged. Coaches evolved. And Buckeye Nation, still the most passionate fanbase in the sport, rallied around a team that reminded them what greatness looks like.
The title also had ripple effects across the sport.
- Recruits flooded back into Ohio State’s orbit, leading to the current No. 2-ranked 2025 recruiting class.
- NFL scouts praised the Buckeyes for producing “plug-and-play” talent, with 11 players selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
- Television ratings for the championship game broke a five-year high, fueled by Ohio State’s massive national draw.
It was, in every way, a program-defining season.
If Ohio State captures the Best Team ESPY, it would be a historic moment.
No college football team has won the honor since LSU in 2020, and only a handful have ever taken home the trophy. It would mark a symbolic moment of affirmation—not just for Ohio State, but for college football’s place in the modern sports conversation.
It would also reflect the program’s ability to resonate far beyond the Midwest.
“Ohio State is a national brand,” said Kirk Herbstreit. “And this team reminded people why. They were tough, talented, and together. And they played with a chip on their shoulder all year.”
Winning would cap a run that already included:
- A Big Ten title
- A national championship
- 11 NFL Draft picks
- 7 All-Americans
- 1 Heisman finalist
- 1 Coaching Staff of the Year award
- And now, potentially, an ESPY.
As the team gathers for ESPY week in Los Angeles, the celebration won’t last long. Fall camp opens soon, and the 2025 Buckeyes are already focused on defending their crown.
Howard is gone, but redshirt sophomore Devin Brown and freshman phenom Julian Sayin are competing for the job. Caleb Downs is back, aiming for a Thorpe Award and a national title repeat. The schedule is brutal—Oregon, Penn State, USC, and Michigan—but the confidence is real.
“We’re not satisfied,” Downs said. “Last year was the foundation. This year, we build the dynasty.”
Still, for one night this summer, Ohio State will trade shoulder pads for suits. They’ll walk the red carpet in Los Angeles as champions, role models, and now—award nominees.
They earned it.
The 2024 Ohio State Buckeyes didn’t just win a championship. They redefined what championship culture looks like in the transfer portal era. They proved that grit still matters. That defense still wins. That unity still beats ego.
Now, they have a chance to be honored not just as college football’s best—but as the best team in all of sports.
Whether they win the ESPY or not, one thing is clear:
This team is already immortal.
