Two Ohio State stars named to Bronko Nagurski Preseason Watch List ahead of legacy-defining 2025 season

Coming off a national championship run is already a career-defining moment for everyone involved, so the following season brings unique challenges. The Ohio State Buckeyes are hoping to avoid individuals only chasing NFL dreams and padding stats, but they shouldn't have too many issues, considering the high character marks their top leaders have earned. On the field, those lofty expectations for two major defensive veterans were reinforced this week as the Bronco Nagurski Preseason Watch List was announced.

Unsurprisingly, Ohio State leaders and projected first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, Caleb Downs and Sonny Styles, were included in the list. The Bronco Nagurski Trophy recognizes the most outstanding defensive player in the nation that season. The only Buckeyes to have won the award were Chase Young in 2019 and James Laurinaitis in 2006.

Downs will be an interesting case for any type of award. Widely recognized by evaluators as the best overall defensive player in the nation, it's hard for safeties to produce in a way that proves their impact. While Downs has graded at an elite level in each of his two seasons, replicating his 2024 stat line of 82 tackles and two interceptions won't win this award.

That's probably unfair, given the widespread acceptance of Downs' incredible abilities, but that's how individual awards go.

Styles, who, a bit surprisingly, came back to Ohio State after a breakout 2024 campaign, might have the easier path to winning the award. Coming off a 100-tackle, six-sack season and not having to see a ton of production usurped by a veteran like Cody Simon, Styles could have one of those monstrous years that blow competition away.

Plus, he's now a known threat like Downs is. That notoriety is needed to win an award like this. His reputation has only increased as NFL scouts have gotten a closer look at his film from the past two years.