The Ohio State Buckeyes dominated the Big Ten Conference in 2025, with a stellar performance that earned them numerous accolades. Jeremiah Smith was named Big Ten Receiver of the Year, a well-deserved honor for his exceptional skills. Julian Sayin, a freshman quarterback, emerged as a standout player, winning the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award. However, the most intriguing part of the awards ceremony was the recognition of Indiana's Fernando Mendoza as the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, a decision that sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.
The awards ceremony continued with Carnell Tate and Max Klare, both wide receivers and tight ends, respectively, being named to the first-team All-Big Ten by both coaches and media. This trio was joined by six other Buckeyes who received second- or third-team honors, with Luke Montgomery sweeping the second-team selections alongside Sayin. The offensive line starters, including Austin Siereveld, Bo Jackson, Tegra Tshabola, Phillip Daniels, and Carson Hinzman, all earned their recognition by keeping Sayin upright and improving the ground game throughout the season.
On the defensive side, Caleb Downs, Arvell Reese, and Kayden McDonald swept the positional awards, with Downs and McDonald also earning first-team All-Big Ten honors. The Buckeyes' defense was stellar, allowing only six sacks this year, the fewest of any team in the conference. The special teams unit also shone, with John Ferlmann, Jayden Fielding, and Brandon Inniss earning honorable mentions for their contributions.
The Buckeyes' success was evident in the statistics, with Mendoza finishing the regular season with a completion rate of 72%, collecting 2,758 yards and 32 touchdowns against just five interceptions. Sayin set a new NCAA single-season completion percentage record, connecting on 78.9% of throws for 3,065 yards and 30 touchdowns, also with five interceptions. Both quarterbacks entered the Big Ten Championship Game with 9.4 yards per pass attempt.
Smith, a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, concluded his regular season with 72 receptions for 942 yards and 11 touchdowns in 11 games, a performance that helped open things up for Tate, a clear future first-round draft pick. Tate, in just nine games, racked up 44 receptions for 793 yards and eight touchdowns. Klare, a transfer from Purdue, continued to be one of the Big Ten's best receiving weapons at the tight end position, earning first-team honors this year.
Jackson, a freshman running back, made the second team after surging to the top of Ohio State's depth chart, racking up 953 yards on just 151 carries (6.3 yards per carry) and five touchdowns. The Buckeyes' offensive line kept Sayin upright and improved the ground game, with only one team, the run-heavy Army, having fewer sacks allowed than Ohio State this year.
In total, 19 Ohio State players earned either first-, second-, or third-team All-Big Ten honors this season, with five individual award winners. The Buckeyes' success on the field and their impressive awards haul solidified their status as a top team in college football.
