Ohio State football team has three players on the Bednarik Award watchlist

The Ohio State football team has one of the best defenses in the country. In fact, most Buckeye fans think it is the best. The secondary should be considered the best. It was statistically the best last season in terms of pass defense yards allowed and they will only be better this year.

Three members of the defense have been added to the Bednarik Award preseason watchlist. The Bednarik Award is given to the nation's best defensive player. It was last won by an Ohio State football player back in 2019 when Chase Young took home the award.

This season, no one has more nominees on the watchlist than the Buckeyes. They are one of five programs to have three nominees for the award. When you look at the roster that they have on that side of the ball, it makes sense. There's a good chance one of them wins it.

Ohio State football has three players on Bednarik Award watchlist

Newcomer Caleb Downs is one of the nominees. The Alabama transfer is one of the best safeties in the country and will be a big help for the secondary that is already loaded. He's not the only member of the secondary to be nominated for this award either.

Denzel Burke joins him on the watchlist. Burke bounced back last season after 2022 was filled with disappointment and injuries to have a great year. He has a shot to be a First-team All-American next season if he can bring up his interception numbers. The problem is that teams are afraid to throw at him.

The final member of the Ohio State Buckeyes to be on the watchlist is senior defensive end Jack Sawyer. Sawyer is trying to be a first-round pick in next year's draft. He's one of the team's most important defensive players.

It wouldn't be shocking to see any of these players take home this hardware.