2025 PFF Preseason All-Big Ten Team: Jeremiah Smith, Caleb Downs and more

• Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs lead the way: Ohio State’s stars are the two best players in college football.
• Drew Allar is the best quarterback in the conference: The Penn State signal-caller is a top-five quarterback in the nation.
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Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

With the 2025 college football season just a few weeks away, here’s a look at PFF’s preseason All-Big Ten team.

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

Smith came to Columbus as the highest-rated recruit from the 2024 class and the highest-rated wide receiver recruit in history. Suffice it to say, the Florida native faced sky-high expectations entering his true freshman season.

And he lived up to them. Immediately.

Smith was the most valuable receiver in college football in 2024, according to PFF WAA. His 89.8 PFF receiving grade ranked third and is more than four points higher than any other returning wideout. He also led the Power Four with 15 receiving touchdowns while trailing only Tetairoa McMillan in receiving yards (1,311).

Smith is an athletic freak at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds with an incredibly refined skill set for someone who turned 19 years old in November. He’s the best player in college football.

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Downs would’ve had the title of “the best player in the country” if it weren’t for his teammate. He’s the top returning player at his position for the second year in a row, joining an exclusive list of players who have done so.

Players who were the top-returning player at their position for multiple years in PFF’s rankings

All three of those players went on to become top-15 picks in their respective NFL drafts, an achievement that Downs seems poised to accomplish next April. In fact, he projects as the top player in the 2026 draft right now, as he’s the best defensive player in the country.

Downs, who transferred from Alabama last offseason, has been the most valuable safety in college football over the past two seasons, according to PFF’s wins above average metric. His 91.7 PFF grade in that span is second among all FBS safeties, while his 91.2 coverage grade is third. Downs is also a fantastic run-defender with 35 run-defense stops and an 88.5 run-defense grade since 2023.

Downs is an incredibly versatile player who can thrive at free safety, slot corner or in the box. Not to mention, he’s a dynamic punt returner as well.