The Associated Press released its college football preseason All-American teams on Tuesday, and despite being voted the No. 1 team by the AP ahead of the season, only two Ohio State players made the players on the first and second teams.
Just one Buckeye made the first team, and you can probably guess that it was superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. The South Florida native is entering his junior season for the Buckeyes and has received every preseason accolade possible. He's an All-American on any that's been released and has received Big Ten preseason honors. Smith also appeared on the Maxwell and Walter Camp Award preseason watch lists. We don't have to run through all of the feats Smith has performed on the field because they are well-known already.
Offensive lineman Luke Montgomery was the other Buckeye to be honored as an AP All-American, appearing on the second team. He originally was thrust into the limelight during the postseason College Football Playoff national title run in 2024 and then started every game last season. He will be counted on to do the same and be one of the anchors of the line for his senior season in 2026.
Among the nation’s best@Jermiah_Smith1 | @lukeMonty8pic.twitter.com/po8afT9hfG
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 18, 2026
As always, making the preseason All-American team means little if it doesn't translate to on-field success. However, it's nice to see all of these players in scarlet and gray getting so many preseason honors. Ohio State opens the season on Saturday, Sept. 5, when it hosts Ball State.
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Two Ohio State football players named AP preseason All-Americans