COLUMBUS, Ohio -- To go along with being named Ohio State captains for the 2019 season, Chase Young and Jordan Fuller also have earned preseason All-American honors from the Associated Press.
Young was named to the first team while Fuller was named to the second team. The two are part of a defensive unit that returns most of its starters from last season but will be looking to have a much better year. The defensive line — led by associate head coach Larry Johnson — is the only defensive position group whose coach was retained once Ryan Day became the head coach.
Last year Fuller led the Buckeyes in total tackles with 81 and is also on the preseason watchlist for the Jim Thorpe Award. Young — who had a team-high in tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (9.5) last season — has been named on almost every preseason All-American team you can think of. He’s also on the preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Other Big Ten players included on the two teams are Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa, Michigan offensive lineman Ben Bredeson, Michigan State linebacker Joe Bachie and defensive end Kenny Willekes, Northwestern linebacker Paddy Fisher, Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore along with Wisconsin offensive lineman Tyler Biadasz and running back Jonathan Taylor.
You can take a full list of the two preseason All-American teams here.
Garrett Wilson among the country’s top true freshmen
247Sports.com’s Barton Simmons released an All-American team made up of all true freshmen, and Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson was included on the list.
“Ohio State is expected to have one of the best wide receiver rooms in the country, so it’s pretty eye-opening when the narrative trickling out of camp is that Wilson is one of the best of the group,” Simmons said. “It’s more than that though. He’s being billed as one of the best pass-catchers to arrive at Ohio State in recent memory.”
Wilson — who was rated as the No. 20 overall player and No. 2 wide receiver in the 2019 class — made his introduction to fans during the spring game. He ended the afternoon with four catches for 44 yards and made the biggest play of the day on an 18-yard touchdown reception. He’s expected to be a part of the rotation this season for position coach Brian Hartline.
Toughest stadiums in America
Brad Crawford of 247Sports.com rated Ohio Stadium as the seventh-toughest place to play in college football. His top 10 list includes Nebraska and Michigan, both of which the Buckeyes will visit this season. Ohio State is riding a 13-game home winning streak, with its last loss coming to Oklahoma in 2017. Sitting at the top of the list is Clemson, which is 34-1 at home over the past five seasons.
Key Dates
• Ohio State vs. Florida Atlantic (season opener): 10 days, Aug. 31
• Ohio State at Michigan: 101 days, Nov. 30
• Big Ten Championship: 108 days, Dec. 7
• College Football Playoff Semifinal: 129 days, Dec. 28
• College Football Playoff National Championship: 145 days, Jan. 13, 2020
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