COLUMBUS, Ohio — Several Buckeyes were recognized by the Big Ten for their performance this season. Among the honorees was Jeremiah Smith, who received the Thomspon-Randle El Freshman of the Year and Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year awards.
Smith has set Ohio State freshman records for receptions (57), yards (934), touchdown receptions (10) and 100-yard games (3), is No. 1 nationally among freshmen in touchdowns and yards and is No. 2 in receptions.
This is the third year in a row that a Buckeye has won the receiver of the year award. Marvin Harrison Jr. won the award in 2022 and 2023.
Smith is the 11th Buckeye to be named Freshman of the Year. Other players to win the award in years past include C.J. Stroud, J.T Barrett, Braxton Miller, Terrelle Pryor, Mike Weber, Maurice Clarett, Robert Smith, LB Andy Katzenmoyer, Orlando Pace and Korey Stringer.
Also recognized for his standout performance was Caleb Downs, who won the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year award.
Downs leads the Buckeyes with 34 solo tackles and is third with 62 total tackles plus 6.5 tackles-for-loss, an interception and three pass breakups. He is also a finalist for the Thorpe Award, the Bednarik Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.
Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel won both Offensive Player of the Year and Quarterback of the Year. Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter also received two awards: Defensive Lineman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year.
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti was chosen as Coach of the Year in both the coaches' vote and media votes.
The Big Ten also announced its all-conference teams on Tuesday. Sixteen Buckeyes were included on the first, second and third teams.
First All-Big Ten Football Team
Caleb Downs – defensive back
Donovan Jackson - guard
Seth McLaughlin - center
Lathan Ransom – defensive back
Jeremiah Smith - receiver
Cody Simon - linebacker
JT Timoloau – defensive line
Second Team
Jack Sawyer – defensive end
Sonny Styles - linebacker
Third Team
Denzel Burke – defensive back
Emeka Egbuka - receiver
TreVeyon Henderson – running back
Will Howard - quarterback
Quinshon Judkins – running back
Josh Simmons - tackle
Tyleik Williams - line
The following players received an honorable mention: Ty Hamilton, Jordan Hancock, Davison Igbinsun, John Ferlmann, Josh Fryar and Tegra Tshabola.
You can find a full list of award recipients here.
Who won awards last year?
Last year, Marvin Harrison Jr. received the awards for Offensive Player of the Year and Receiver of the Year. Cade Stover received an award for Tight End of the Year and Tommy Eichenberg was named Linebacker of the Year.
TreVeyon Henderson, JT Timoloau, Tommy Eichenberg, Denzel Burke, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Donovan Jackson all made first team last year, while Matt Jones and Cade Stover made second-team appearances.
On third-team were Josh Fryar, Kyle McCord, Emeka Egbuka, Michael Hall Jr., Jack Sawyer and Tyleik Williams.