The parade of postseason college football awards has started, and with it, the various All-American teams. Not all All-American teams are created equal, however, because to be considered a consensus All-American, just five publications are recognized. Those five are the Associated Press (AP), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Sporting News, Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), and Walter Camp Football Foundation.
We just received our first of those five All-American teams on Friday, and four Ohio State players made the first team, while two more appeared on the second team. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, defensive tackle Kayden McDonald, linebacker Arvell Reese, and safety Caleb Downs were all named first-team All-Americans.
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Smith, widely known as the best receiver in the game, was snubbed for the Biletnikoff Award on Friday. He’s caught 80 passes for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns. You can bet that he’ll make more All-American lists going forward. Smith has had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons and still has his junior year to go.
McDonald has flashed on the scene this year in the middle of the defensive line and is a potential first-round NFL draft pick come April. He clogs up the middle and has tallied 57 tackles with eight tackles for loss and three sacks.
Reese has also come out of nowhere to be considered one of the best linebackers in the country and also a potential first-round NFL draft pick. He has been used all over the field because of his ability to run and react to plays at several levels. He’s had 62 tackles with ten tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
Downs has already taken home the Jim Thorpe Award and is considered by many as the best defensive player in the game, though he did not win the Bednarik Award. Like Reese, he is one of the linchpins of the defense, often lining up at all three levels. He has registered 60 total tackles with five tackles for loss, two interceptions, and a sack so far this year.
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Not to be forgotten, quarterback Julian Sayinn and defensive end Caden Curry were honored as Second-Team All-Americans. Sayin is one of four Heisman Finalists and will be a part of all the ceremonies on Saturday night.
Ohio State is the only program to have four First-Teamers. We’ll keep an eye out as the other four main publications announce their All-American teams and see if any of the four making the First-Team can continue the march towards making consensus honors.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Six Ohio State players named to the Walter Camp All-American Team
