Recognition and Expectations: Two Ohio State Linemen Earn Spot on Prestigious 2025 Outland Trophy Watch List
As another college football season inches closer, preseason accolades are beginning to roll in for standout players across the country. These early nods serve not only as recognition of past performance but also as predictions of potential dominance in the season ahead. For Ohio State, a program that is no stranger to individual and team honors, the announcement of two players being named to the 2025 Outland Trophy preseason watch list is both a moment of celebration and a reflection of the high standards that define Buckeye football.
The Outland Trophy, awarded annually to the best interior lineman in college football—either on the offensive or defensive line—is one of the sport’s most prestigious honors. It recognizes the unsung heroes of the game: the players in the trenches who make everything possible, who protect quarterbacks, create running lanes, or stuff opposing offenses at the line of scrimmage. Being named to the watch list is no small achievement; it places a player among an elite group of linemen from across the country, all vying for the honor of being named the best at one of football’s toughest and most physical positions.
For Ohio State, having not one but two representatives on this year’s watch list sends a clear message. The program continues to develop elite talent where it matters most—up front. These are the players who set the tone every Saturday, who control the pace of the game, and who often go unnoticed by casual fans but are respected and feared by opponents and scouts alike. The Buckeyes’ tradition of producing dominant linemen has been consistent over the years, and this latest recognition is further proof of that legacy continuing into the 2025 season.
Both players named to the list have already made a significant impact on the field, showcasing not only physical strength and size but also the kind of football intelligence and discipline that separates good linemen from great ones. Their inclusion in the preseason conversation is based on more than just potential—it’s a reflection of performance, consistency, and the high regard in which they’re held by coaches, analysts, and opposing teams alike.
At Ohio State, linemen are expected to do more than just hold the line—they’re expected to dominate it. Whether it’s sealing off the edge in a crucial run play or collapsing the pocket on a third-and-long defensive stand, these players are central to the team’s success. That pressure, however, is embraced in Columbus. The coaching staff doesn’t shy away from it, nor do the players. In fact, it’s built into the very fabric of the program. To wear the scarlet and gray on the line of scrimmage is to accept the responsibility of leading from the front—literally.
The significance of this preseason recognition isn’t lost on the coaching staff either. It’s a sign that their emphasis on line play, recruiting, and development is paying off. Ohio State’s offensive and defensive line coaches have long been regarded as some of the best in the nation, and their ability to prepare players for both college dominance and NFL futures has become a hallmark of the program.
This season, the spotlight will be even brighter on the two Buckeyes named to the Outland Trophy watch list. Every snap they take will be evaluated more closely, and every performance will carry the weight of expectation. That pressure might be overwhelming for some players at other programs, but at Ohio State, it’s simply part of the deal. With national championship hopes always in play, the individual accolades serve a dual purpose—highlighting excellence while fueling the larger team mission.
What makes this moment particularly special is the respect the Outland Trophy commands. First awarded in 1946, it is the third-oldest major award in college football, behind only the Heisman and Maxwell Trophies. It represents the pinnacle of interior line play, and its winners have often gone on to have impactful NFL careers. Just being mentioned as a potential candidate is a huge nod to a player’s capabilities and impact. It signals that coaches, voters, and scouts alike see something exceptional.
For the two Buckeye linemen now under the Outland spotlight, the opportunity ahead is enormous. They’ll begin the season with added attention, knowing that every game is an audition not just for postseason awards but for their professional futures. Still, based on their past performances and the buzz coming out of spring and summer workouts, both seem more than ready to handle that challenge.
Their presence on this prestigious list also benefits the team in ways that go beyond the individual. Younger players on the roster now have models of excellence to follow, daily examples of what hard work, focus, and dedication can produce. The tone in the locker room shifts when leaders emerge from the trenches—players who aren’t always the most vocal but who lead by their consistency and toughness. These watch-listed players are now not only tasked with performing at a high level but also with setting the standard for the entire team.
Being on the preseason watch list, of course, is just the beginning. The Outland Trophy selection process stretches throughout the season. Players will be evaluated through film study, in-game impact, and consistency week in and week out. Midseason watch lists will be narrowed down, semifinalists announced, and eventually, a finalist will be selected before the winner is revealed at the end-of-season awards ceremonies.
Ohio State fans, ever passionate and deeply invested in their team’s success, will surely be keeping a close eye on these players’ performances. Whether it’s through dominant blocks in the run game or overwhelming pressure on opposing quarterbacks, every impactful play adds to the case for postseason honors. But perhaps more importantly, every play that contributes to a win brings the Buckeyes one step closer to their ultimate goal: competing for another national championship.
There’s also a deeper meaning behind this recognition. It symbolizes what Ohio State football has come to represent—a commitment to excellence at every position, not just the flashy skill spots. While quarterbacks and wide receivers often dominate headlines, those inside the program know that success begins in the trenches. Championships are built on the shoulders of linemen who can win the battle at the line of scrimmage, and the Outland Trophy watch list is a direct reflection of who those players are expected to be.
As the season draws nearer, the two Ohio State linemen named to the list will continue their preparation with purpose. They’ll train not just to maintain their place among the elite but to improve, to correct mistakes, and to dominate even more convincingly than they did last season. Every rep in practice and every game snap will be a chance to prove that their inclusion on the list was not just deserved—but perhaps overdue.
At a school with such a rich football tradition, individual honors are always measured within the context of team goals. That’s why these two players, despite the personal recognition, will no doubt remain focused on helping Ohio State win games, claim championships, and return to the College Football Playoff. If individual trophies follow along the way, they’ll be accepted with pride—but always with the knowledge that they were earned through team effort and relentless hard work.
In the end, this moment is about more than just a preseason watch list. It’s a signal to the rest of college football that Ohio State’s foundation remains strong, that the linemen up front are as dominant as ever, and that the program continues to produce some of the very best talent in the nation. The road ahead is long, and the competition will be fierce, but with these two names on the Outland Trophy radar, the Buckeyes have made it clear—they’re ready to do battle where the game is won: in the trenches.
