Tag: ESPN All-American Team

Noah Ruggles named first-team All-American by ESPN

ICYMI – Congrats to Ruggles on this recognition!

From losing a starting job in Chapel Hill, to getting named an ESPN first-team All-American. That’s been OSU kicker Noah Ruggles’ journey over the past year.

Ruggles came to Ohio State after becoming the backup at North Carolina and seeing the writing on the wall. He transferred to OSU as a graduate transfer and won a hotly contested competition with Jake Seibert for the starting job on this year’s Buckeye squad.

Apparently, all he needed was a chance, because the Odessa, Florida native was lights out this year, making 18-of-19 field goal attemps, and 68-of-68 point-after attempts for Ohio State this year. He had a long of 46-yards and went 4-of-4 from 40-49 yards.

Ruggles was the only Ohio State player named to ESPN’s first-team, but the Buckeyes had Garrett Wilson and Thayer Munford recognized on the FWAA first-team All-American squad Friday.

Congrats are clearly in order for Ruggles. Hopefully, he gets on one of the five consensus publications for first-team so he can literally leave roots in his honor in Buckeye Grove.

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Sooners from both sides of the football named to ESPN’s Preseason All-America Team

Two Oklahoma Sooners were named to ESPN’s preseason All-American team for 2021.

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The time for talk will soon be over. Oklahoma’s September 4th season opener versus Tulane continues to creep closer and closer. But until then, each passing day brings college football fans another power ranking, preseason poll, or all-regional award list to wade through.

Today, two Sooners were named to ESPN’s Preseason All-America Team. While this accolade can’t help Oklahoma play better on the football field, it helps validate what more and more of the college football world keeps saying: The 2021 Sooners are deep, well-balanced, and a ligament threat to the national title.

Spencer Rattler was handed the keys to Lincoln Riley’s offense during one of the most turbulent seasons in college football history. Without the benefit of a full schedule, OU’s signal-caller still threw for 28 touchdowns and 3000 yards in an offense that averaged more points (41.8) than anyone else in the Big 12.

If anything, Rattler has too many weapons heading into 2021. He returns his favorite targets Marvin Mims and Theo Wease while welcoming Mike Williams and halfback Eric Gray through the transfer portal.

With an improved defense, continuity along the offensive line, and the return of his favorite pass catchers, there is little reason to doubt him or his offense this season.

One of the reasons the Sooners defense continues to improve is the other player from Oklahoma selected to the All-American team; Rush linebacker Nik Bonitto.

Bonitto burst onto the scene as a dominant edge rusher, collecting nine sacks for a Sooners defense that continues to show year over year improvement under Alex Grinch. Bonitto comes into 2021 looking to build on his 2020 season, hopefully leading the Sooners back to the College Football Playoff to contend for their first national championship in more than 20 years.

Bonitto’s combination of size, speed, and strength make him difficult for even the best offensive tackles to block off the edge. Bonitto is also incredibly difficult to block in the running game. His athleticism and effort make him one of the best defenders in college football.

If the Sooners are as good as people think they’ll be, Rattler and Bonitto will be on All-America lists at the end of the season and could be joined by several of their teammates as well.

Two Ohio State football players make ESPN All-American team

ESPN released its college football All-American Team Tuesday. There are two Ohio State football players that have been named. Who are they?

Before the Ohio State football team heads to the Big Easy to take on Clemson in the Sugar Bowl, we’ve got an abbreviated award and All-American Team circuit to witness.

It was no doubt a winding journey to the end of a bizarre 2020 college football season, and we can now come up for some air and take stock in what we all witnessed. On that note, ESPN has just released its All-American Team that comprises a starter for each position on the football field. and as is the case with most years, there is some Ohio State representation with two players being named.

Alabama players dominate the team with six players, and Notre Dame was the only other team with more than one selection with offensive guard Aaron Banks and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah being named. The fact that the Buckeyes have two on the team is in itself remarkable because of a shortened six-game schedule caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but don’t tell that to all the critics out there.

So what two Buckeyes did the worldwide leader in sports programming select? You might be able to guess based on all the preseason hype, or maybe not. Either way, the two following OSU players should be congratulated.

Next … The anchor of the offensive line

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