Two key members of the 2024 Ohio State Buckeyes named to major college football award watch list
Ohio State is going to have one of the best defenses in college football during the 2024 season and the secondary will be a large part of that success. Ahead of the 2024 season, two key members of the Buckeyes have been named to the watch list for a major award. Each year, the Jim […]
Ohio State is going to have one of the best defenses in college football during the 2024 season and the secondary will be a large part of that success. Ahead of the 2024 season, two key members of the Buckeyes have been named to the watch list for a major award.
Each year, the Jim Thorpe Award goes to the best defensive back in the country. Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke and safety Caleb Downs have been named to the watch list for the award. Both layers are expected to have big years with the Buckeyes.
Burke was one of a group of players that decided to come back to Columbus for another season. This group of players very well could have been drafted in the most recent NFL Draft. With plenty of experience at the college level, Burke has already played in 35 games for Ohio State. By the end of the season, he could have north of 50 games played with the Buckeyes.
Last season, Burke had 24 tackles and one interception. The Ohio State senior is an aggressive player and that includes as a tackler. His playing style has the possibility to create turnovers thanks to both interceptions and fumbles.
Bringing in Downs was an icing on the cake type move after you look at it when all moves were said and done. If Nick Saban never retired then Downs would still be with Alabama, so it is kind of interesting to think about the what-ifs with this specific player.
Ohio State recruiter Downs hard out of high school and finished as the runner-up in his recruitment. This time around, the Buckeyes landed a player that has star ability for their defense. Downs led Alabama in tackles with 107 of them as a freshman and made two interceptions.
It is no surprise that these two players are up for this major award. They both are future NFL players and key parts of what could be an elite defense in Columbus during the 2024 season.
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