After the Buckeyes got some preseason love from the Maxwell Trophy, more members of the Scarlet and Gray are getting some accolades. Both the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Outland Trophy, and the Patrick Mannelly Award have released their preseason watchlist, and they each have Buckeyes on them.
The Bronco Nagurski Trophy is given to the best defensive player in the country. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Jaylen McClain were both named to the preseason watchlist for that award. Jackson Jr. is the only returning starter on the defensive line, while McClain is going to step into a bigger role with Caleb Downs in Dallas.
The Outland Trophy is given to the best interior lineman in the country. The entire middle of Ohio State's offensive line appears on the list. Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld, and Luke Montgomery are all on the preseason watchlist, although it remains to be seen if Siereveld stays at guard.
As for the Patrick Mannelly Award, that is given to the best long snapper in the country. Dalton Riggs appears on that list. This award has always struck me as hard to define, but it would be cool if Riggs walked away with the trophy.
Ohio State could walk away with a lot of awards this season
Based on the talent the Buckeyes possess, it wouldn't be shocking to see them load up on the awards when the season ends. At least three Buckeyes should be taking home awards when the season is finished. Quite frankly, anything less than that is a disappointment.
Jeremiah Smith should win the Biletnikoff Award given to the nation's best receiver. He should be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy too, but that might be too much. Julian Sayin should take home the Davey O'Brien Award for being the best quarterback in the country, too.
If Hinzman, Siereveld, or Montgomery wins the Outland Trophy, that would indicate that Ohio State's offensive line is up to snuff. A Buckeye lineman winning an award likely means that Ohio State has a championship-caliber team, since the offensive line is the biggest question mark for the team.
The Buckeyes will have the scariest offense in the country
With all of these players on preseason watchlists, it makes sense why the coaches voted Ohio State the top team in the country. Offensively, the Buckeyes should have the scariest offense in the country, even if they don't end up leading the country in total yards per game.
Smith gives the team an element of explosiveness that no one else has, as evidenced by having the fourth-most receiving yards of any receiver. This is despite the numerous double-teams that Smith had to deal with all throughout last season, as he was the team's top weapon.
Last season, Ohio State averaged only 33.4 points per game. It would be shocking if that number didn't creep closer to 40 points this season. If they don't end up finishing in the top ten in points per game this year, that will be a failure.
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