By Danielle Daniels

Columbus, Ohio – Another major national watch list that includes Ohio State’s Caleb Downs and Jeremiah Smith. The Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List list includes both of those names, as it adds to a growing list of preseason recognition for the duo.

The 2025 Player of Year watch list will be narrowed to 10 semi-finalists in early November, and three finalists will be announced in early December. The 2025 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, which is voted on by the 133 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced on ESPN’s College Football Awards Show on December 12.

Downs, a unanimous first team All-American last season, was the Tatum–Woodson Defensive Back of the Year and a finalist for the Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back. He’s widely regarded as the nation’s top defensive player in college football entering the 2025 season.

Smith set Ohio State freshman records for receptions (76), receiving yards (1,315) and touchdowns (15), was the Big Ten’s Thompson–Randle El Freshman of the Year and Richter–Howard Receiver of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.

COURTESY OSU ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS