Ohio State foursome recognized on preseason watch list as expectations reignite ahead of challenging 2025 season
Coming off a national championship run is already a career-defining moment for everyone involved, so the following season brings unique challenges. The Ohio State Buckeyes turned a large portion of their roster over, but expectations are getting higher as the season approaches. That much is clear with the release of the Butkus Award and Jim […]
Coming off a national championship run is already a career-defining moment for everyone involved, so the following season brings unique challenges. The Ohio State Buckeyes turned a large portion of their roster over, but expectations are getting higher as the season approaches. That much is clear with the release of the Butkus Award and Jim Thorpe Award watch lists. Four Buckeyes made the cut.
Unsurprisingly, Ohio State leaders and projected first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles, were included in the lists. Joining them are cornerback Davison Igbinosun and linebacker Arvell Reese.
The Jim Thorpe Award goes to the nation’s best defensive back, so Downs is particularly intriguing for that distinction. The Butkus Award is handed to the best linebacker in the country. Styles may have the better chance to win that over Reese.
Downs will be an interesting case for any type of award. Widely recognized by evaluators as the best overall defensive player in the nation, it’s hard for safeties to produce in a way that proves their impact. While Downs has graded at an elite level in each of his two seasons, replicating his 2024 stat line of 82 tackles and two interceptions won’t win this award.
That’s probably unfair, given the widespread acceptance of Downs’ incredible abilities, but that’s how individual awards go.
Igbinosun is an excellent cornerback but led the country in penalties last year. While his career completion rate allowed of 54.4% is stellar, giving up 16 penalties is seemingly impossible to replicate. It’s clear what needs to improve for Igbinosun to live up to his potential and be considered for the Jim Thorpe Award, but his reputation might be beyond repair as an overly physical defender.
Styles, who, a bit surprisingly, came back to Ohio State after a breakout 2024 campaign, might have the easier path to winning the award. Coming off a 100-tackle, six-sack season and not having to see a ton of production usurped by a veteran like Cody Simon, Styles could have one of those monstrous years that blow competition away.
Reese will cut into that production upside as Simon did, but with only 309 snaps under his belt, it’s fair to wonder if he’ll be the third-down linebacker on passing plays, or if Styles will be. Reese proved to be a downhill hammer in 2024 but appears uncomfortable in coverage. Styles has struggled there, as well, so this preseason and training camp period will be fascinating to watch these two battle for that nickel linebacker role.
Plus, Styles is now a known threat like Downs is. That notoriety is needed to win an award like this. His reputation has only increased as NFL scouts have gotten a closer look at his film from the past two years.
