As the anticipation for the 2026 college football season builds, Ohio State fans have plenty to celebrate. The recently released Phil Steele College Football Preview Magazine has recognized six Ohio State Buckeyes on its preseason All-American teams.
That’s a pretty big deal. It says a lot about the program’s talent and how well they prepare, honestly.
Ohio State also leads all programs with 16 preseason All-Big Ten selections. That’s a flex—shows just how much they’re dominating the conference right now.
Let’s take a look at the standout players and what all this buzz might mean for the Buckeyes this year.
Ohio State Buckeyes Shine in Phil Steele’s Preseason All-American Teams
Ohio State’s football program is, once again, looking like a powerhouse. The 2026 season’s shaping up to be another wild ride for Buckeye fans.
Six players snagged spots on Phil Steele’s preseason All-American teams. That’s not just luck—these guys have put in the work and it’s showing.
Jeremiah Smith: Preseason National Offensive Player of the Year
Leading the way is junior wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. He’s made Steele’s first team and picked up the Preseason National Offensive Player of the Year nod.
Smith’s story is kind of amazing, honestly. He went from Chaminade-Madonna Prep in Florida to becoming one of the most dominant receivers in college football.
- Freshman Year (2024): 76 receptions, 1,315 yards, 15 touchdowns
- Sophomore Year (2025): 87 receptions, 1,243 yards, 12 touchdowns
He’s picked up honors like Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Big Ten Receiver of the Year, and Rose Bowl Offensive MVP. Smith’s been a Heisman finalist, too, and a unanimous All-American.
With 2,558 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns in just two seasons, he’s chasing Ohio State’s all-time records. Wouldn’t bet against him, either.
Julian Sayin: Third-Team All-American Quarterback
Quarterback Julian Sayin landed on Steele’s third team. Originally a five-star prospect who signed with Alabama, Sayin transferred to Ohio State after Nick Saban retired.
He spent his first year in Columbus as a backup, then took over as the starter in 2025.
- 2025 Season: 77.0% completion rate, 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns, 8 interceptions
Sayin’s accuracy and calm under pressure earned him the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award. He also snagged Big Ten Freshman of the Year and made the Heisman finalist list.
Now, he’s the consensus No. 1 returning quarterback in the country. Not too shabby.
Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld: Anchors of the Offensive Line
Senior offensive guard Luke Montgomery and redshirt junior tackle Austin Siereveld both made the third team. Montgomery, from Findlay, Ohio, was the top-ranked prospect in the state for the 2023 class.
He played a crucial role in the 2024 College Football Playoff, starting in the semifinal and the title game. Siereveld, out of Lakota East, has really grown into Ohio State’s best offensive lineman.
After redshirting in 2023, Siereveld became a key part of the rotation during the 2024 championship run. In 2025, he moved to left tackle, started all 14 games, and earned an 83.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
Earl Little Jr.: Fourth-Team All-American Safety
Transfer safety Earl Little Jr. made the fourth team. He’s the son of former NFL safety Earl Little and transferred to Ohio State to fill the spot left by Caleb Downs.
Little had a breakout year in 2025 at Florida State—76 tackles, four picks, and two forced fumbles. The Buckeyes are hoping for more of the same.
Dalton Riggs: Fourth-Team All-American Long Snapper
Long snapper Dalton Riggs rounds out the Buckeyes’ preseason All-Americans. He’s bounced around—BYU, USF, UCF—and didn’t have a single inaccurate snap on field goals or extra points.
Now, he steps in for John Ferlmann and is expected to be one of the top specialists in college football. No pressure, right?
Ohio State’s Dominance in the Big Ten
Ohio State also leads the Big Ten with 16 preseason All-Big Ten selections. That list is pretty loaded:
- Running Back: Bo Jackson
- Defensive Tackle: John Walker
- Linebackers: Payton Pierce, Christian Alliegro
- Cornerback: Devin Sanchez
- Center: Carson Hinzman
- Offensive Lineman: Phillip Daniels
- Kicker: Connor Hawkins
- Defensive Ends: Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Qua Russaw
That’s a ton of talent, honestly. The Buckeyes are loaded and look like a real threat in the conference again.
Spring practice is already rolling, and there’s a lot of buzz about the offseason. Even the basketball program is making moves—they made the NCAA Tournament, though they didn’t get past the first round this time.
Big Ten’s Stance on Scheduling Texas Tech
So, the Big Ten isn’t forcing its schools to avoid scheduling Texas Tech. After some rumors about Nebraska and Georgia coaches getting a quiet warning to steer clear of the Red Raiders, the conference just… didn’t bite.
By letting each school decide for itself, the Big Ten sidesteps possible lawsuits. Texas Tech donor Cody Campbell had even threatened to sue for collusion if there was a ban, so maybe this was the smart move.
Looking ahead to 2026, Ohio State fans have a lot to look forward to. The roster is loaded and the energy around the program feels, well, pretty electric right now.
If you want to keep up with Ohio State news, you can follow Patrick Murphy on Twitter and Instagram. You might also want to subscribe to the Bucknuts newsletter for a deeper dive.
There’s more if you’re curious—read the full story over at 247Sports.
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