The Big Ten Conference does things a tad differently than other conferences. Instead of the coaches giving their polls on who will win the league or give First-Team, Second-Team, etc., the Big Ten polls two media members representing each school. In total, 12 Big Ten players were honored and Ohio State led the way with four selections.
The four Buckeyes selected were Caleb Downs, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, Emeka Egbuka, and TreVeyon Henderson.
Ohio State Lands a Quartet of Big Ten Preseason Honors
Two on Offense
Henderson elected to return to the Buckeyes for his senior season and is set to show what he can do when fully healthy. He’s considered to be the top returning running back in the Big Ten and will share the backfield with the top incoming transfer at the position. Henderson broke out as a freshman in 2021 with 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns. However, just like Egbuka, Henderson has battled injuries. He’s appeared in 18 games over the last two seasons and amassed 1,497 yards and 17 scores on the ground. As a receiver out of the backfield, Henderson has 50 catches for 565 yards and five touchdowns.
Egbuka is a fourth-year receiver for the Buckeyes who is expected to take a massive step forward. He was hampered by injuries last year en route to a 41-catch, 515-yard campaign with four touchdowns. The year prior, however, is the source of all of the hype. In his first season of full-time duties, Egbuka hauled in 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Buckeyes. He’s well within range of breaking a long-standing career receiving yards program record. With an unproven supporting cast, Egbuka looks to have another strong season. With two All-Big Ten selections on his belt, it makes sense that the wide receiver is one of the Big Ten preseason honorees.
Two on Defense
Downs is a safety transfer from Alabama and is set to have a big year for the Buckeyes. There might not be another Ohio State defender with higher expectations. The safety transferred in after winning the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year, SEC Freshman of the Year, First-Team All-SEC, and PFF’s First-Team All-American team. In his true freshman season, he led the Tide with 107 tackles, marking the first time in Alabama’s storied history that a freshman led the way. Downs is one of five sophomores on the Lott IMPACT Trophy watchlist.
Finally, Tuimoloau has been a solid edge rusher for the Buckeyes in his three seasons with flashes of elite play. the two-time First-Team All-Big Ten honoree hasn’t quite had the season of Buckeye defensive ends’ past. Despite that, he’s been quite good. As a freshman, he made the most of his opportunities, logging 17 tackles, four-and-a-half tackles for loss, two-and-a-half sacks, and a pass breakup. Then, he broke out as a sophomore with 28 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, over three sacks, two interceptions (one pick-six), four pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Last year, he set a new career best with 38 tackles, five sacks, two pass breakups, and a recovered fumble.
Also, of note, Tuimoloau prefers people call him “Jaylahn” or “J.T.” but not “J.T.T.” That would be why we continue to call him “Jaylahn,” to honor his wishes.
The rest of the Big Ten preseason honorees:
- Jay Higgins, Linebacker, Iowa
- Mason Graham, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
- Will Johnson, Defensive Back, Michigan
- Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan
- Dillon Gabriel, Quarterback, Oregon
- Tez Johnson, Wide Receiver, Oregon
- Abdul Carter, Defensive End, Penn State
- Kyle Monangai, Running Back, Rutgers
