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Ohio State lands 2 defensive stars on preseason Nagurski Trophy watchlist
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Ohio State is gearing up for the 2025 season on the heels of its first national title since 2014. With that, comes a new era after a massive wave of talent left the Buckeyes for the NFL, including multiple key pieces from the defense.
Fortunately, the cupboard on the defensive side of the ball is not totally bare for Ryan Day and his staff. On Tuesday, the preseason watchlist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy was released with a total of 60 defenders included.
The award has been given annually since 1993 and is awarded to the best defensive player in the country. Ohio State is no stranger to the award, with 2 former players taking home the honor, and the Buckeyes had 2 players listed on this year’s watchlist.
Those players are star safety and returning All-American Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles. Both players were stars last year and should be primed to serve as veteran leaders for the program.
Last season, Styles transitioned to linebacker after fluctuating between safety and linebacker early in his career. He immediately flashed, finishing with his first career 100-tackle season and finishing 2nd on the Buckeyes. Styles also had 11 TFL, 6 sacks and 5 pass breakups from his linebacker spot and should be an extremely versatile contributor again this fall.
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Downs enters his 2nd season in Columbus already viewed as one of the top overall players in the country. He was 3rd on the Buckeyes with 82 tackles a season ago while posting 8 TFL, 2 interceptions and 6 pass breakups and earning All-American honors.
An Ohio State star last took home the honor in 2019 when star defensive end Chase Young captured the award. Will a new Buckeye claim it again this fall?
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.