Three Ohio State players named to the Preseason Nagurski Trophy watch list

Another watch list means some more Buckeyes on it.

The Football Writers’Association of America announced a couple of preseason watch lists on Wednesday, and both had a trio of Ohio State players included. We already told you about the Outland Trophy, but Sevyn Banks, Haskell Garrett, and Zach Harrison are another trio that appeared on the 2021 Preseason Bronko Nagurski watch list. Garrett was named to both watch lists.

The Nagurski Trophy was first awarded in 1993 and goes to the player judged to be the best defender in college football annually. The winner will be chosen from five finalists and honored at an awards banquet on Dec. 6 at the Charlotte (N.C.) Convention Center.

Sevyn Banks is expected to be Ohio State’s No. 1 cornerback in 2021 as true senior. He’s got the athletic ability and experience to develop into one of the best in the country this fall. He has already appeared on several preseason All-American teams.

Everyone is anticipating the player that defensive end Zach Harrison can be this fall. A former 5-star commit, he has the length, body, and fast-twitch ability to be the next game-wrecker off the edge. He has yet to fully put it all together, but it’s often a player’s junior year that is the break-out one. He too has been picked by many to make a significant splash this fall.

Garrett decided to come back for one more season instead of entering the 2021 NFL draft. His story is an amazing one after somehow recovering from a gunshot wound to the face in time for the 2020 season. Simply being in the lineup wasn’t what he had in mind. Instead, Garrett turned into one of the best interior defensive linemen in the Big Ten and has also received multiple preseason accolades heading into this year.

OSU has had two players win the Nagurski. Linebacker James Laurinaitis took it home in 2006, followed by defensive end Chase Young in 2019.

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