Four Ohio State players on the AP Preseason All-America 1st Team

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, a high-profile transfer from the second-ranked Buckeyes, and three of his new teammates were named to the preseason Associated Press All-America team Monday.

Downs, who was a second-team All-American as a freshman for Alabama last season, joins guard Donovan Jackson, receiver Emeka Egbuka and cornerback Denzel Burke in giving Ohio State the most first-team selections. Running back Trevion Henderson and defensive lineman Tylake Williams led the rest of the team to become the second team with six total picks, the most of any team.

No. 1 Georgia and No. 9 Michigan each had three players selected to the first team Quarterback Carson Beck is joined by Bulldogs guard Tate Ratledge and defensive back Malachi Starks, who was also a first-team All-American last year.

The defending national champion Wolverines are represented by tight end Colston Loveland, defensive tackle Mason Graham and cornerback Will Johnson.

No. 5 Alabama center Parker Brailsford (Washington) and kicker Graham Nicholson (Miami (Ohio)) made two transfers to the first team.

No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 13 LSU also had two first-team selections

The Fighting Irish selected defensive tackle Howard Cross III and safety Xavier Watts. Watts was also an All-American last season and Cross made the second team in 2023. The Tigers were represented by tackle Will Campbell and linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. on the first team.

No. 3 Oregon placed three players on the second team, including quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a sixth-year player who transferred from Oklahoma after starting his career at UCF.

First team through conference

SEC — 10.

Big Ten — 8.

ACC — 4

Big 12 — 3

Independent — 2.

first team (ocrime)

Quarterback — Carson Beck, fifth year, Georgia.

Running back — Ollie Gordon II, third year, Oklahoma State; Omarion Hampton, third year, North Carolina.

Tackle — Will Campbell, third year, LSU; Kelvin Banks Jr., third year, Texas.

Guards — Donovan Jackson, fourth year, Ohio State; Tate Rutledge, fifth year, Georgia.

Center — Parker Brailsford, third year, Alabama.

Tight end — Colston Loveland, third year, Michigan.

Wide receiver — Luther Burden III, third year, Missouri; Tetairoa McMillan, third year, Arizona; Emeka Egbuka, fourth year, Ohio State.

All-purpose player — Travis Hunter, third year, Colorado.

Kicker — Graham Nicholson, fourth year, Alabama.

First Team (Defence)

Edge — James Pierce Jr., third year, Tennessee; Ashton Guillot, fourth year, Louisville.

Tackle — Mason Graham, third year, Michigan; Howard Cross III, Sixth Year, Notre Dame.

Linebacker — Harold Perkins Jr., third year, LSU; Jay Higgins, fifth year, Iowa; Barrett Carter, fourth year, Clemson.

Cornerbacks — Will Johnson, third year, Michigan; Denzel Burke, fourth year, Ohio State.

Safety — Malachi Starks, third year, Georgia; Caleb Downs, sophomore, Ohio State.

Defensive back — Xavier Watts, fifth year, Notre Dame.

Punter — Alex Mastromano, fifth year, Florida State.

The second group (Ocrime)

Quarterback — Dillon Gabriel, sixth year, Oregon.

Running back — Trevion Henderson, fourth year, Ohio State; Ashton Genty, third year, Boise State

Tackle — Ajani Cornelius, fifth year, Oregon; Aireontae Ersery, fifth year, Minnesota.

Guards — Tyler Booker, third year, Alabama; Dylan Fairchild, fourth year, Georgia.

Center – Cooper Mays, fifth year, Tennessee.

Tight end — Mitchell Evans, fourth year, Notre Dame.

Wide receiver — Tej Johnson, fifth year, Oregon; Trey Harris, fifth year, Mississippi; Ricky White III, fifth year, UNLV.

All-purpose player — Zachariah Branch, sophomore, Southern California.

Kicker — Andres Borregales, fourth year, Miami.

Second Team (Defense)

Edge — Nic Scourton, third year, Texas A&M; Abdul Carter, third year, Penn State.

Tackle — Tylik Williams, fourth year, Ohio State; Dion Walker, third year, Kentucky.

Linebacker — Danny Stutsman, fourth year, Oklahoma; Jason Henderson, fourth year, Old Dominion; Nick Martin, fourth year, Oklahoma State.

Cornerback — Benjamin Morrison, third year, Notre Dame; Sebastian Castro, sixth year, Iowa.

Safety — Dillon Thienman, sophomore, Purdue; Billy Bowman, fourth year, Oklahoma.

Defensive back — Ricardo Holman, fourth year, Wisconsin.

Punter — James Ferguson-Reynolds, third year, Boise State.