As we prepare for a new high school sports season, USA Today Network sports writers in Ohio collaborated over the last month to select preseason All-Ohio teams for football, boys and girls soccer, and girls volleyball. We selected a 25-player team for each sport.
Today, we introduce the USA Today Network Preseason All-Ohio Football Team, featuring five offensive linemen, two running backs, three wide receivers/tight ends, two quarterbacks, four defensive linemen, four linebackers, four defensive backs and one kicking specialist. This 25-player team could stack up with any other all-state team in the country.
Quarterbacks (2)1. Tavien St. ClairBellefontaine, 6-4, 225, sr.
A five-star recruit, he is the consensus No. 1 player in Ohio in the Class of 2025 and ranked among the top three QBs by the major recruiting services. He’s committed to Ohio State. He threw for 3,083 yards and 37 TDs with just six interceptions in 330 attempts. He completed 70.6% of his throws last year and 70.7% the previous year when he threw 294 times for 2,453 yards and 25 TDs with four interceptions. St. Clair enters his senior season with 7,258 career passing yards and 75 TD passes.
2. Ryan MontgomeryFindlay, 6-3, 215, sr.
The Georgia commit was first-team All-Ohio in Division I in 2023 and a finalist for Ohio Mr. Football. He threw for 3,018 yards with 35 TDs and five interceptions last year, completing 68.5% of his 333 attempts. Montgomery broke the school’s single-game passing yardage school record held by Ben Roethlisberger since 2000, throwing for 491 yards and six TDs in a 49-14 win over Sylvania Southview in Week 3. His play helped Findlay win a share of the Northern Lakes League Buckeye Division title.
Others receiving votes
Matt Ponatoski, Cin. Moeller; Justice Burnam, Cin. Anderson; Bodpegn Miller, Ontario; Morgan Smith, West Holmes; Max Lyall, Tri-Valley; Nolan Good, Avon; Scotty Fox, Mentor; Austin Buescher, West Jefferson; Brayden DeVito, Shelby; Jahmeir Spain, Mount Healthy; Ethan Thanthanavong, Bloom-Carroll; Brennen Ward, Gahanna Lincoln; Nathan Bernhard, Ashland; Beckett Long, Granville.
Running backs 1. Marquise DavisCleveland Heights, 6-0, 210, sr.
Davis is regarded as one of the top players in Ohio and top running backs in the nation. Committed verbally to Kentucky, but also has offers from Ohio State, Michigan, USC, Notre Dame and Tennessee among others. Selected as an Ohio Mr. Football finalist in 2023 when he also was a first-team All-Ohio running back in Division I. He earned first-team all-state honors on defense in 2022 as a safety. Finished his junior season with 2,228 rushing yards and 35 TDs, averaging 8.8 yards on his 217 carries. He also made 63 tackles (five for loss) with a sack, three interceptions and four pass breakups on defense, helping the Tigers win the Greater Cleveland Conference title.
2. Lamar “Bo” JacksonCleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph, 6-0, 205, sr.
Committed to Ohio State in June, with offers from assorted heavyweights such as Alabama, Georgia, Michigan and Notre Dame. He gained 1,700 total yards and scored 28 TDs on 114 touches last fall as a junior. Also starred at linebacker and safety, helping the Vikings go 9-4 and reach the Division III regional semifinals.
Others receiving votes
Shahn Alston, Painesville Harvey; Kentrell Rinehart, Westland; Ziaire Stevens, Akron East; Jayel Harris, Cin. Withrow; Jayden Wallace, Tri-Valley; Taizaun Burns, Gahanna Lincoln; Robert Lathon, Col. Hartley.
Wide receivers/tight ends 1. Brody LennonGilmour Academy, 6-4, 220, sr.
A tight end, Lennon is committed to Ohio State. Ranked as Ohio’s No. 8 player in the Class of 2025 by On3. Gained 750 receiving yards and scored 11 touchdowns on 32 catches in 2023, earning second-team All-Ohio.
2. Shaun TerryIronton, 5-10, 170, sr.
Ranked as a top 100 wide receiver nationally, he committed to Missouri. Holds offers from Michigan, Notre Dame and West Virginia, among others. He is a cousin of former two-time Ohio Mr. Basketball O.J. Mayo, who later played in the NBA. Terry gained 525 yards receiving on 27 catches (19.4 average) with nine TDs, while running the ball 28 times for 391 yards (14.0 avg.) with five TDs. Scored another five TDs on punt returns.
3. Brayden FogleLexington, 6-3, 225, jr.
Just picked up an offer from Georgia to play tight end. As a sophomore last year, he caught 39 passes for 663 yards and four touchdowns earning honorable mention All-Ohio honors. He is also a first-team All-Ohio basketball player with several Division I scholarship offers. Plays both ways, recording 39 tackles, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception on defense.
Others receiving votes
Payton Cook, Akron Hoban; Luka Gilbert, Lakota West (TE); Preston Bowman, Pickerington North; Nate Lyman, Kings; Jackson Wiley, Olentangy; Trace Jallick, Cin. Anderson; Matt Maxey, Avon; Quintin Simmons, Cin. Withrow; Keith Quincy, Canton McKinley; Caden Piening, Cin. Anderson (TE); Jayden Wallace, Tri-Valley; Jaeden Ricketts, Watkins Memorial; Bentley Hanson, New Lexington; Rusty Hutchinson, Bloom-Carroll.
Offensive linemen (5)1. Will ConroyCleveland St. Ignatius, 6-3, 280, jr.
Oregon and Ohio State appear to be frontrunners in landing one of the top interior offensive linemen in the country. Holds a who’s who of offers beyond the Ducks and Buckeyes. On3 has him as a four-star recruit, ranking among the top 20 nationally at his position and No. 11 in Ohio overall for the Class of 2026. Earned second-team All-Ohio in Division I in 2023.
2. Carter LoweToledo Whitmer, 6-6, 310, sr.
Earned first-team All-Ohio in Division I in 2023. The offensive tackle is an Ohio State commit who is ranked No. 6 at his position nationally by the 247Sports Composite rankings, which also have him ranked as the No. 3 player in Ohio, regardless of position, and No. 50 overall nationally. Shows his overall athleticism by throwing shot and discus in the spring and playing basketball in the winter.
3. Jake CookWesterville North, 6-5, 300, sr.
Cook enters his senior season with his commitment to Ohio State all but finalized; he just has to sign in December. The four-star recruit pledged to the Buckeyes on June 23 after previously committing the Louisville. He was third-team All-Ohio and first-team all-district in Division I last year. The 247Sports Composite rankings have him ranked as the No. 19 player in his class in Ohio and the No. 25-ranked interior offensive lineman nationally.
4. Nolan DavenportMassillon Washington, 6-6, 270, sr.
Moved from tight end to offensive tackle last season and became an immediate anchor of a Massillon offensive line which powered the Tigers to a 16-0 record and their first OHSAA state title. Earned second-team All-Ohio in Division II in 2023. Committed to Wisconsin in the offseason. The 247Sports Composite rankings have him No. 27 overall among Class of 2025 players and as the No. 52-ranked offensive tackle nationally.
5. Sam GreerAkron Hoban, 6-8, 290, jr.
Ohio State was the first to offer the two-sport star. Schools such as Florida, Michigan, Penn State, Miami and Oregon have followed for the four-star recruit, who dealt with an injury a season ago. Displayed his athleticism when he played a huge role in Hoban basketball’s state championship win as a freshman in 2023. Akron area’s top offensive lineman.
Others receiving votes
Tucker Kattus, Cin. St. Xavier; Maxwell Riley, Avon Lake; Jermiel Atkins, Trotwood-Madison; Jess Hauer, Cin. Wyoming; Kenneth “KJ” Kotalik, Bucyrus Wynford; Carson Noonan, Medina Highland; Jack Robinette, Sheridan.
Kicking specialist (1)1. Austin DeShazoNorth Ridgeville, 6-1, 205, sr.
Selected a first-team All-Ohio kicker in Division II in 2023 when he made 7 of 7 field goals, with a long of 38, and 31 of 34 PATs. Also stars on defense and earned first-team all-district honors as a middle linebacker after making 128 total tackles, three sacks, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and one interception.
Others receiving votes
Connor Yeager, Clermont Northeastern (P); Carter Rummer, Cin. Wyoming (K); Aiden McGuire, Fairfield (K); Jacob Rudowski, Kings (P); Owen Graff, Whitehouse Anthony Wayne (P); Mason Cooper, Milford (K).
Defensive backs (4)1. Elbert Hill IVAkron Hoban, 5-11, 170, jr.
Ranked as the No. 1 cornerback in the country by several recruiting sites, he is among the most heavily recruited players in the state. He starred as a sophomore on Hoban’s Division II state runner-up team a year ago, earning first-team All-Ohio in 2023. He enters his junior year with more than 30 college offers.
2. Trey McNuttShaker Heights, 6-0, 185, sr.
A five-star recruit who ranks at or near the top of most lists of top high school safeties. Most of the major college heavyweights have offered him, and McNutt committed to Oregon earlier in August. He earned first-team All-Ohio in Division II in 2023.
3. Cody HaddadCleveland St. Ignatius, 6-1, 175, sr.
Committed to Ohio State, Haddad plays all over the field, primarily starring at safety and wide receiver, while also returning kicks and punts. Rivals.com rates him as a four-star recruit. The 247Sports Composite rankings have him ranked as the No. 21 athlete in the country and No. 15 overall player in Ohio for his class. He’s expected to play safety in college. His father, Drew Haddad, starred on state championship teams at Ignatius in the 1990s before earning a spot in the University of Buffalo’s athletic hall of fame and being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 2000 as a wide receiver.
4. Victor SingletonToledo Central Catholic, 6-0, 160, jr. CB
Projected as an Ohio State commit, he made four interceptions a year ago, taking one back for a touchdown. He also broke up 15 passes, forced a fumble and made four tackles for loss. A four-star recruit, he’s ranked among the nation’s top dozen cornerbacks by most recruiting sites.
Others receiving votes
Henry Perrymond Jr., Cleveland Heights; Bradley Eaton, Lakewood St. Edward; Dawayne Galloway Jr., Marion-Franklin; Ace Alston, Cin. Anderson; Josh Johnson, Ironton; Hyde O’Rielley, Fisher Catholic; Jai’Mier Scott, Cin. Mount Healthy; Jayonn Sauders, Cin. Anderson; Kaden Gebhardt, Olentangy; Demari Clemons, Massillon Washington; Caleb Anthony, Col. Africentric; Micah Rice, Cin. Moeller; Tallen Hulvey, Medina.
Linebackers (4)1. Justin HillWinton Woods, 6-3, 220, sr.
Hill is the No. 1 recruit in Cincinnati heading into next season and a top-five player in Ohio for the Class of 2025. A four-star prospect, Hill was a first-team All-Ohio selection and the Division II district defensive player of the year last season for the Warriors after racking up an Eastern Cincinnati Conference-best 13 sacks. Hill had plenty of big-name collegiate suitors before committing to Alabama on July 3.
2. Nate GregoryLakewood St. Edward, 6-0, 225, sr.
Helped St. Ed’s win a third straight Division I state title, earning first-team All-Ohio in 2023. He made 191 Total tackles, including 17.5 for loss and nine sacks. Also forced three fumbles, intercepted a pass and broke up four passes. Fifteen colleges have offered, including some from the Big Ten.
3. Eli LeeAkron Hoban, 6-2, 220, sr.
One the most sought-after linebacker recruits in the state, Lee has committed to Ohio State. The Knights’ middle linebacker was a tackling machine, capable of dropping into coverage or living in the backfield. He will anchor a Hoban defense that allowed just 7.2 points per game last season when he earned first-team All-Ohio in Division II.
4. Cincere JohnsonCleveland Glenville, 6-4, 220, jr.
Helped the Tarblooders win a second straight state championship in Division IV. He totaled 121 tackles, including 24 for loss and seven sacks, with three forced fumbles. He’s a four-star recruit, with Notre Dame, Michigan State and Cincinnati among the schools to offer him.
Others receiving votes
Paul Nelson, Cin. Princeton; Maurice Bradley II, Mansfield; Dante McClellan, Canton McKinley; Denim Cook, Col. Hartley; Jakobe Clapper. Cin. St. Xavier; Storm Miller, Strongsville; Gordy Sulfsted. Cin. St. Xavier; Grant Beerman, Lakota West; Maddox Arnold, Cin. Elder; Napoleon Jemison, Tol. Whitmer; Evan Rizzo, Brecksville.
Defensive Linemen1. Brandon CaesarCleveland Heights, 6-4, 250, sr
Caesar committed to West Virginia earlier this week. He had offers from the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, Alabama and Tennessee. He earned first-team All-Ohio honors in Division I in 2023.
2. Michael Wright Jr.Massillon Washington, 5-11, 285, sr.
Anchored the middle as a defensive tackle for the state champion Tigers in 2023, earning first-team All-Ohio in Division II. Receiving MAC interest, including a Bowling Green offer. Made team-best 10.5 sacks among his 15.5 tackles for loss, as he helped limit teams to just 1.7 yards per carry in holding 12 of 16 opponents to seven or fewer points. Scored eight TDs on 29 total carries as a short-yardage fullback.
3. Trey VerdonHamilton, 6-1, 220, sr.
An Iowa State commit who was second-team All-Ohio in Division I in 2023. Verdon made 77 tackles last season and led the team with 14 tackles for loss, and enters his senior year with 147 total tackles. His brother Malik Verdon is a starting safety at Iowa State, where he’s earned All-Big 12 honors.
4. Cedric WorksClayton Northmont, 6-4, 220, sr.
Committed to Kentucky, choosing the Wildcats over Penn State and Florida. He was second-team All-Ohio in Division II in 2023 when he totaled 82 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss. The 247Sports Composite rankings have him ranked as the No. 16 edge in the country and No. 9 overall player in Ohio for his class.
Others receiving votes
Jamarcus Whyce, Trotwood-Madison; Cal Thrush, Upper Arlington; Noah Robinson, Tallmadge; Zyon Newson, Elyria; Daniel Stephens, Olentangy; Jackson Heims, Springfield; Jalen Joyce, Groveport; Arthur Scott III, Streetsboro; K’Vuone McNeal, Canton McKinley; Ty Neubert, Col. DeSales; Jaquan Stubbs, Cle. Heights; Chris Gargasz, Tri-Valley.
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Publish date : 2024-08-16 00:04:00
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