We are officially in Week 0 of the 2024 college football season! While there are no Big Ten programs in action this weekend, college football is finally back. Preseason honors season has been in full effect with the Big Ten landing numerous players on the various watchlists.
The latest prestigious list is the Associated Press All-American list for the preseason. The SEC has 10 players with First-Team honors with the Big Ten right behind them with eight. However, the SEC landed eight more on the Second-Team while the Big Ten has 11.
The Big Ten Land Eight on Preseason AP First-Team All-American
Donovan Jackson, Guard, Ohio State
Quite possibly the most NFL-ready Ohio State offensive lineman is left guard, Donovan Jackson. He’s made 26 consecutive starts for the Buckeyes and he appeared in another 13 games before that. Jackson is going for his third straight First-Team All-Big Ten selection and improving his 2025 NFL Draft stock. He was also named to the Outland Trophy and Lombardi Trophy Watchlists.
Colston Loveland, Tight End, Michigan
Colston Loveland is expected to have a massive year for the Wolverines. Heading into 2024, Loveland is considered among the nation’s best at the position and will likely be the top tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft
As a freshman, Loveland gave Michigan a taste with 235 yards and two scores off 16 receptions. He appeared in all 14 games for the Wolverines in 2022, making it obvious great things were to come. Last year, he broke out as more of a receiving threat. He appeared in all 15 games and recorded at least one catch in each. In total, Loveland amassed 649 yards and four touchdowns with 45 catches for the Wolverines. He is also on the Biletnikoff Award, Mackey Award, and Lombardi Trophy watchlists for this season.
Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver, Ohio State
In addition to landing on the Walter Camp Award, Paul Hornung Award, Maxwell Award, and Biletnikoff Award watchlists, Emeka Egbuka is a preseason All-American. Egbuka is a fourth-year receiver who had nagging injuries a year ago. After 41 catches, 515 yards, and four touchdowns in 2023, he is expected to return to his 2022 form. That year, in his first season as a starter in the Ohio State offense, Egbuka hauled in 74 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Buckeyes.
With another strong season, Egbuka can break a long-standing career receiving yards program record. He’s the only receiver at Ohio State entering this year with significant experience. He is expected to lead the way as one of the Buckeyes’ four captains.
Mason Graham, Defensive Tackle, Michigan
One of the top defensive linemen in the nation, Mason Graham is set to lead Michigan in 2024. The junior took home Freshman All-American honors in 2022 and then Second-Team All-American honors last season. He is coming off his first First-Team All-Big Ten selection and earned the Rose Bowl MVP in the win over Alabama in the College Football Playoff. Graham has amassed 63 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, over five sacks, two pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a recovered fumble.
Graham landed on the Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bednarik Award, and Lombardi Trophy watchlists this preseason.
Jay Higgins, Linebacker, Iowa
The Iowa defense has been among the elites for what feels like decades and will be led by linebacker Jay Higgins. He led the country with 171 tackles a year ago to go with five tackles for loss, two sacks, an interception, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He was a First-Team All-American and is a good bet to repeat this year as a member of the preseason All-Americans.
Higgins is also on the Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Award, Butkus Award, and Lombardi Trophy watchlists.
Will Johnson, Cornerback, Michigan
Will Johnson is currently expected to be the top corner in the 2025 NFL Draft, making him a perfect fit on the Thorpe Award watchlist. He was the Defensive MVP of the CFP National Championship. Johnson hauled in an interception on the first play of the second half, sparking a 17-3 finish. He’s coming off a season where he was selected as both a First-Team All-Big Ten and First-Team All-American. Last year, he contributed 27 tackles, one tackle for loss, eight pass breakups, and four interceptions (one pick-six).
Johnson is easily one of the top corners in the nation, landing on the Nagurski Trophy, Thorpe Award, and Bednarik Award watchlists.
Denzel Burke, Cornerback, Ohio State
Fourth-year starter, Denzel Burke, was great as a true freshman. Now, three years later, he’s among the elites and will challenge for this year’s Thorpe Award, Nagurski Award, and Bednarki Award.
He’s a two-time All-Big Ten honoree with last season being his first First-Team selection. Burke is coming off a season where he totaled 24 tackles, three tackles for loss, broke up nine passes, forced a fumble, and hauled in an interception.
Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State
Caleb Downs is a true sophomore and showed he was one of the top defenders last season. The safety transferred from Alabama after earning a handful of prestigious awards in his All-SEC freshman season. As a true freshman, he led the Tide with 107 tackles. He’s on this list as a sophomore, one of the few underclassmen with the honor.
In addition to the AP First Team, Downs is featured on 11 First-Team All-American teams along with a trio of Second-Teams.
11 Second-Teamers
Dillon Gabriel, Quarterback, Oregon
TreVeyon Henderson, Running Back, Ohio State
Ajani Cornelius, Offensive Tackle, Oregon
Aireontae Ersery, Offensive Tackle, Minnesota
Tez Johnson, Wide Receiver, Oregon
Zachariah Branch, All-Purpose, USC
Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Tyleik Williams, Defensive Tackle, Ohio State
Sebastian Castro, Cornerback, Iowa
Dillon Thieneman, Safety, Purdue
Ricardo Hallman, Defensive Back, Wisconsin
