Ohio State lost 14 starters and other important contributors from the team that won the national championship last January. After having a veteran roster in 2024, the Scarlet and Gray will have a greener lineup this fall, with less-experienced players stepping into more significant roles.
While some outside Buckeye Nation may see this as a setback for Ohio State in 2025, there remains plenty of talent. Even with the loss of many players, the Scarlet and Gray roster still possesses the tools to be competitive and could potentially contend for a repeat national title.
This week, CBS Sports college football writer Will Backus predicted the winners of the college football individual awards for 2025. Backus has two Buckeyes bringing home multiple awards, one on each side of the ball.
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Backus predicted Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to win the Heisman Trophy and the Biletnikoff Award for the best player and best receiver in college football next season. Here is what Backus wrote about each prediction:
Smith’s already the best player in college football and he’s only been in the sport for just over a full year. Though the Heisman rarely goes to a wide receiver, Smith has the aura, media recognition and talent befitting college football’s top award. It’s not hard to see him collecting at least 1,500 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns for the Buckeyes in 2025, especially with fellow top option Emeka Egbuka off to the NFL. And it’s not like defenses can key in on Smith alone; Ohio State’s wide receiver room is packed to the gills with talent. He’s an unstoppable force and — so long as he meets expectations — he’ll be in New York by year’s end. Smith is the smartest bet to win the Maxwell and Walter Camp Awards, as well. A +1400 bet to win the award according to FanDuel Sportsbook, Smith is behind three quarterbacks in Texas’ Arch Manning (+700), LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier (+900) and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik (+900). That adds even more value to an already smart preseason bet.
Let’s go ahead and get this entry out of the way, as well. If Smith wins the Heisman, there’s no question he’ll add the Biletnikoff to his trophy case. Even if Smith somehow falls out of Heisman contention, he’s the clear favorite for his position-specific award.
As Backus pointed out, Smith, along with teammate Julian Sayin, is one of the betting favorites for the Heisman Trophy following his record-breaking freshman season. While there will be more attention on the receiver in his second year of college football, it would be hard to envision teams devoting enough defensive focus to him to neutralize Smith in games, especially considering the Buckeyes’ other offensive weapons. Smith has also dedicated the offseason to improvement, refusing to rest on the success of 2024.
The other Scarlet and Gray player predicted by Backus to win awards is Caleb Downs. Backus predicted the safety will be named the Bednarik Award and Thorpe Award winner this fall as the best defensive player and top defensive back in college football. Here is what Backus wrote about these predictions:
If you haven’t noticed, there’s a glut of talent in Columbus. Downs doesn’t boast the counting stats one would expect from a player with so much hype — he finished the 2024 season with 48 tackles and two interceptions — but that’s because opposing offenses know not to test him. Given all that Ohio State has to replace defensively 2025, Downs should be more of a leader and focal point. That also means he’ll put up some big numbers while running all over the field for the Buckeyes.
As with Smith, so with Downs. If Downs is going to win one of the awards given to college football’s top defender, he’ll be more than worthy for the honor bestowed upon defensive backs at the end of the year.
Downs did not have the major statistical season in his first year at Ohio State that he did as a freshman at Alabama in 2023, as Backus pointed out. However, that does not mean he was disappointing as a Buckeye. Downs played a crucial role in the Scarlet and Gray’s defensive success and will need to be an even bigger leader as Ohio State looks to replace eight defensive starters this offseason.
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While he does not predict Max Klare to bring home any hardware in 2025, Backus did mention the Purdue transfer. He predicted Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers to win the John Mackey Award, noting that this is due to Stowers being the top option in the Commodores’ passing attack, a role that Klare is unlikely to hold. Klare is another dynamic piece in the Ohio State offense after catching 51 passes for 685 yards and four touchdowns for the Boilermakers last season. As was evident in the Buckeyes’ spring game, Klare will benefit from the talent around him and will have opportunities for big plays in the passing game.
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