The 2022 season didn’t end the way Ohio State had hoped, falling 35-15 in the NCFA National Championship Game. However, the Buckeyes still managed an ultra-successful season, tying the program record for wins in a season (9) and had 11 players named to the NCFA All-American list.
In addition, quarterback Kellyn Gerenstein was named the NCFA’s Offensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in league history to win the award twice in a career (2019, 2022).
The Buckeyes also became the first team in league history to appear in three straight NCFA title games and captured their third straight conference crown in a 59-21 win over Michigan State on Nov. 13.
First Team
Kellyn Gerenstein: Senior, Quarterback
The four-year starter put together one of the best seasons in NCFA history in 2022, accounting for 37 total touchdowns in just 6.5 games. He finishes his remarkable career as the only player in NCFA history to win multiple postseason awards, having won the 2019 and 2022 Offensive MVP awards as well as the 2021 national title game MVP against George Mason in which he accounted for five touchdowns.
Gerenstein finishes his career with a whopping 107 total touchdowns, three conference championships, two national championships and four appearances in the NCFA postseason. He went 27-4 as a starter for the Buckeyes, never lost a home game and cemented himself as arguably the greatest player in NCFA history.
Jalen Haley: Junior, Running Back
For the second straight season, Haley finds himself a First Team All-American after another phenomenal season.
Haley rushed for 635 yards in 2022 on 103 carries and six touchdowns. After leading the NCFA in rushing in 2021, he finished third in 2022 behind only Gerenstein and Wright State’s Cody Smith. This despite largely splitting carries with teammate Johnathan Thiele for the first half of the season before Thiele suffered a season-ending injury against Oakland.
Haley is just one of three players in team history to rush for over 1,000 career yards, joining Gerenstein and Madu Eneli, who was a Second Team All-American in 2017.
Abdou Keita: Junior, Wide Receiver
Despite playing in his first game of organized football against Toledo in the season opener, Keita quickly became one of the best receivers in the NCFA.
He corralled 29 passes for 666 yards and nine touchdowns in 2022, accumulating more than 100 yards in four games. His best performance came against Michigan State in the first meeting between the two schools, when he hauled in seven passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns. His 666 receiving yards are the fourth most in a single season in team history and his nine touchdown receptions ranks second behind only Casey Scroggins, who hauled in 14 in 2022.
Sam Dominguez: Junior, Right Tackle
A two-year starter at tackle, Dominguez has yet to miss a start for the Buckeyes since joining the program in 2021. He played a major role in Ohio State’s top run offense in both seasons while also largely keeping the quarterbacks clean. Dominguez was also an NCFA Academic All-American in 2021 and figures to be one of the leaders of the program moving forward in 2023.
Jackson Rittman: Sophomore, Guard
One of the strongest players in the league, Rittman has been a two-way star for the Buckeyes since stepping on campus.
A 2021 First Team All-American on offense, Rittman also stars as a linebacker for the Buckeyes and scored a scoop-and-score touchdown against Gordon State in the 2022 national title game. He also forced a fumble against Michigan State that was returned for a score by fellow linebacker Eric Hooper. Offensively, Rittman hasn’t missed a start at guard in two years and has been a driving force behind Ohio State’s top run offense.
Casey Scroggins: Senior, All-Purpose
Perhaps the greatest two-way player in NCFA history, Scroggins was named the NCFA’s top All-Purpose player in 2022. He caught 53 passes for 717 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, while also hauling in six interceptions on defense.
Scroggins finishes his illustrious career as Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yardage, receiving touchdowns and interceptions. Scroggins was an NCFA All-American in each of his three seasons, and a captain in his final two seasons. He served as Ohio State’s team president in 2022 and leaves as one of the most decorated players in NCFA history.
David Rive, Jr: Sophomore, Kicker
For the second straight season, Rive is the NCFA’s First Team All-American kicker. He converted on 4-of-6 field goal attempts on the season with a long of 41, the second longest in program history. He also connected on 40-of-42 extra points in 2022, breaking his own record of 31 which he set last season.
Second Team
Jordan Griffith-Simmon: Senior, Left Tackle
A staple of the 2019 recruiting class, Jordan leaves Columbus as a three-time All-American. After being selected to the First Team his first two seasons, Jordan followed up with yet another stellar campaign in 2022, helping lead the Buckeyes to the highest scoring offense in the league.
Jordan missed just one start in his time at Ohio State, helping the Buckeyes to a 24-3 record in his games played, including a pair of national championships and three conference championships.
Lance Wickham: Junior, Linebacker
In his first year with the program, Lance stepped in and immediately made an impact on the Buckeye defense. He collected 50 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and added an interception in the national championship game.
Arguably Ohio State’s strongest tackler, Lance battled through injuries all season, missing just one game while also routinely leading the Buckeyes in tackles. He played his best game against Denison University (JV), when he tallied nine tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.
James Smith: Senior, Defensive Line
Another first year player for the Buckeyes, Smith started every game for the Buckeyes in 2022. He finished second on the team in sacks after collecting a pair in the national championship game.
His best game came against Michigan State in the regular season meeting, when he tallied six total tackles and a sack. He also tallied a forced fumble in a win over Oakland, finishing with more than 30 total tackles on the year.
Trey Jones: Freshman, Defensive End
The lone rookie Buckeye to be named to this list, Jones immediately stepped in in 2022 and established himself as one of Ohio State’s best defensive players.
Jones led the Buckeyes in sacks as a freshman, while tallying more than 20 total stops. He recorded two or more sacks on three separate occasions, including a pair of 2+ sack games against Michigan State.
Ohio State Club Football 