Ohio State players have been added to major award watchlists this week, 12 players to be exact.
Chase Young and former Ohio State product Joe Burrow won the majority of the awards last season. Ohio State has players added to watchlists like this every year. Most of the time, however, they don’t have this many.
How many of the nation’s top awards will the Buckeyes take this year? There are 12 Buckeyes nominated for 10 awards, so the odds are good that Ohio State will add some hardware to their collection this year.
Ohio State Watchlist Roundup
Justin Fields: Davey O’Brien, Maxwell
As a first-year starter, Justin Fields cemented himself in college football instantly. Fields is one of the best returning quarterbacks in the nation. He is on the watchlist for the Davey O’Brien Award and the Maxwell Award, two awards given to the best all-around player in football.
Last season, Young was a finalist in both awards, but Burrow took both of them. Fields wasn’t even on the watchlist for the Davey O’Brien Award but was a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award.
As the one returning Heisman Trophy Finalist and current Heisman Trophy favorite, winning one, if not both of these awards his realistic.
Chris Olave: Biletnikoff Award
Chris Olave will always be an Ohio State legend for his breakout performance against Michigan in 2018. This year, he is on the Biletnikoff Award watchlist. Winning the award for the country’s best receiver would make a huge impact on his draft stock.
K.J. Hill was on the watchlist last year. The last Buckeye to win the award was Terry Glenn in 1995.
Luke Farrell: John Mackey Award
If Luke Farrell won the John Mackey Award, he would be the first Buckeye ever to do so. He is now on the watchlist for the award for the nation’s best tight end. Since that is a position that doesn’t get a lot of attention at Ohio State, Farrell has a chance to make Buckeye history.
Thayer Munford, Josh Myers, Wyatt Davis: Outland Trophy
All three of Ohio State’s returning offensive linemen are on the Outland Trophy Watchlist. If Thayer Munford, Josh Myers, or Wyatt Davis were to win the award, they would be the fifth in Buckeye history and the first since Orlando Pace in 1996.
The Outland Trophy is given to the country’s best offensive lineman. Davis would be the most likely of the three, as he was named First Team All-American in 2019.
Shaun Wade: Bednarik Award, Nagurski Award
Shaun Wade is looking to follow in the footsteps of his former teammate Young and take home the awards for the best defender in college football. Young won both the Bednarik Award and the Nagurski Award after his performance last season.
James Laurainitis also won the Nagurski Award in 2006.
Baron Browning, Tuf Borland, Pete Werner: Butkus Award
The Butkus Award has gone to the best linebacker in college football since 1985. In 2008, the voters added high school and professional categories. Andy Katzenmoyer and Laurinaitis have won it as Buckeyes, and Raekwon McMillan won the high school award.
Tuf Borland and Pete Werner have been starters in Ohio State’s second level for several years now. Borland is the Buckeyes’ second-ever three-time team captain. Baron Browning will be a first-year starter, but round’s out the country’s only linebacker unit with three Butkus Award watchlist members.
Drue Christman: Ray Guy
The Bottle Flip King, Drue Christman, is looking to be the second Buckeye Ray Guy award winner. He could be the first finalist since Cameron Johnston in 2016 and the first winner since B.J. Sander in 2003.
The Ray Guy Award honors the country’s best punter, which a position that hasn’t stood out at Ohio State until recent years.
Blake Haubeil: Lou Groza
Blake Haubeil is the current leader in career field goal percentage at Ohio State and is now on the Lou Groza Award watchlist.
Mike Nugent won the award, which goes to the country’s best kicker, in 2004.
