The Athletic announced its preseason All-America teams on Wednesday, and Ohio State, as has been the case in many preseason honors this year, was heavily represented. The Buckeyes had four players on the list, more than any other college football team.
Caleb Downs, Emeka Egbuka, Donovan Jackson and Tyleik Williams were among the 50 players listed. Jackson and Downs were both named to the first team, while Egbuka and Williams were named to the second team.
Michigan is close behind the Buckeyes with three selections, with all three players on the first team, while Georgia, Alabama and Notre Dame also each have three players named to the first team.
Ahead of Egbuka were Luther Burden III of Missouri and Tetairoa McMillan of Arizona as wide receivers, and ahead of Williams were Mason Graham of Michigan and Deone Walker of Kentucky as defensive tackles.
In a section on Jackson, The Athletic acknowledged that there were probably more Ohio State players who deserved a spot on the list.
“(Jackson) returned for his final season to block for a loaded Ohio State backfield that includes TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, who transferred from Ole Miss, both of whom could be considered outsiders to make those All-America teams,” the article said.
Denzel Burke could also be considered someone who deserves a spot on the list. He was a second-team All-American in the preseason, according to the Walter Camp Football Foundation, which released its list in early July.
