Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

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Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

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The Ohio State Buckeyes are about to begin their quest to defend their national championship in the College Football Playoff, and they received some huge news before the tournament kicks off.

This weekend, the Heisman Trophy will be awarded to the top player in the sport, and Ohio State not only has star quarterback Julian Sayin traveling to the ceremony as one of the top-four finalists, but the Buckeyes were the only team to have multiple players in the top 10 of voting.

And they had three players in the top 10.

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Sayin, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, and linebacker Caleb Downs were all honored as being part of the exclusive 10 players to be voted on as the best players in the country.

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 06: Julian Sayin #10 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a touchdown pass \a in the 2025 Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

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Sayin and Smith will be returning to Ohio State next year, but both would be looked at as high first-round picks if they were eligible to be selected at the 2026 NFL draft.

Downs is an all-around anchor on the defense that makes game-breaking play after game-breaking play, and is projected to go high in the upcoming draft as one of the first defenders taken off the board.

For head coach Ryan Day’s Ohio State team, they are on a mission to do what Georgia and Alabama have done in the past decade -- win national championships in back-to-back years and create a mini dynasty.

The Buckeyes will await their opponent at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 31, as they will play the winner of Miami-Texas A&M.

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