THE APEX TIMES
Walter Camp Preseason Watch List adds two more Ohio State stars, quarterback Julian Sayin and receiver Jeremiah Smith
Ohio State’s top passing and receiving core is again getting national preseason attention, with quarterback Julian Sayin and wideout Jeremiah Smith named to the Walter Camp 2026 preseason watch list.
The Walter Camp 2026 preseason watch list was unveiled Monday, and Ohio State secured two spots on it with quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. It is another high-profile preseason marker for a program that already carried both players into the offseason as central pieces of its offense and team identity.
Sayin’s inclusion places Ohio State’s report-caller among the players being tracked for one of college football’s most respected individual honors. As the preseason award landscape begins to solidify, the Walter Camp watch list matters because it functions as an early national shortlist, often reflecting who coaches, voters, and analysts expect to drive their teams the most over the coming season.
Smith’s presence on the same watch list highlights how Ohio State’s passing production is framed externally, not only as a quarterback story but also as a matchup problem for opposing defenses. Smith is described in the preseason coverage as one of the sport’s standout catch-and-playmakers, and his name appearing alongside Sayin underscores the expectation that Ohio State will generate explosive plays through its quarterback-to-receiver combination.
According to Yahoo Sports’ report on the announcement, both Sayin and Smith were also recognized as Big Ten preseason honorees and were cited as preseason ESPN All-Americans. The article further notes that the two-player Ohio State package has drawn multiple streams of preseason acclaim, including recognition in other award conversations such as the Maxwell Award watch list for the quarterback and related preseason honors in national media coverage.
The overlap of these accolades is significant for the Big Ten title picture because it indicates continuity of star power rather than the need for Ohio State to replace its offensive engine. It also sets a clear expectation inside the conference: teams planning to slow the Buckeyes will be forced to account for both the passer’s decision-making and Smith’s ability to win routes and convert targets into production.
Still, preseason watch lists are not a prediction, and they do not guarantee outcomes. Ohio State will have to translate offseason consensus into on-field results against a conference slate built to test both efficiency and consistency. What to watch next is whether Sayin sustains the form that has fueled multiple preseason honors and whether Smith’s production matches the national expectations that have placed both players in the same elite early conversation.
Why It Matters
- A Walter Camp preseason listing indicates national expectations for individual impact, which can shape how defenses prepare for Ohio State.
- Having both the quarterback and a primary receiver on the list emphasizes that Ohio State’s offense is expected to function as an integrated unit.
- In the Big Ten, star-centered game plans often determine how contenders separate over the conference schedule.
- The awards attention also increases scrutiny on production and consistency as the season approaches.
Key Facts
- The Walter Camp 2026 preseason watch list was released on Monday.
- Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin was named to the Walter Camp preseason watch list.
- Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was also named to the Walter Camp preseason watch list.
- Yahoo Sports reported that Sayin and Smith were also recognized as Big Ten preseason honorees.
- Yahoo Sports reported that both players received preseason ESPN All-American recognition.