COLUMBUS, Ohio — Three Buckeyes were named this week to the Big Ten’s preseason honors list as the 2021 football season is set to get underway. The list was released at the start of the league’s Media Days where representatives from the conference’s 14 programs are gathering.
A total of 10 players — five from each division — were chosen by the league. The three Buckeyes selected were wide receivers Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson and left tackle Thayer Munford. The trio were also named as Athlon Sports’ All-Americans.
Wilson and Olave were also named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list on Thursday. The Biletnikoff Award is awarded to the top receiver in college football.
Ohio State enters the Big Ten season as the overwhelming favorite to win the conference. In a media poll coordinated by Cleveland.com of Big Ten writers, the Buckeyes were nearly unanimously picked to win the conference this season.
Despite playing in just seven games in 2020, Olave managed to score seven touchdowns. Olave is already sixth on the school’s list for most receiving touchdowns.
Wilson has 1,155 yards as a receiver and 11 touchdowns in 22 games.
With the NCAA allowing fall sports athletes an additional year of eligibility due to the pandemic in 2020, Mumford is returning for his fifth season. Mumford brings a lot of experience having already make 33 starts and playing in 45 games.
