Despite falling in the NCFA National Championship Game, the 2023 season ends with a whopping 15 Ohio State Club Football players named to First and Second Team NCFA All-American teams. In addition, 11 Buckeyes were named to the first-ever Honorable Mention All-American team.
Furthermore, quarterback Spencer Moore was named the 2023 NCFA Offensive Most Valuable Player, making him the third Buckeye in four seasons to win the award after Kellyn Gerenstein won it in 2019 and 2022. Moore broke the NCFA single-season record for passing touchdowns, tossing 32 and became just the second player in NCFA history to throw for more than 2,000 yards in a single season.
Defensive Coordinator Dylan Barron was awarded the 2023 NCFA Assistant Coach of the Year Award after Ohio State surrendered just 9.3 points per game this season and posted three shutouts. The Buckeyes also saw five defensive players named to the First and Second NCFA All-American teams.
First Team All-Americans
Spencer Moore: Grad, Quarterback
Spencer Moore broke nearly every major single-season passing record in program history in 2023. His 60% completion percentage ranks second all-time, however he broke team records for passing touchdowns (32), passing yards (2,209), pass completions (147) and passing yards per game (245.4). In addition, he broke the single-game record for passing touchdowns with seven against Toledo and tied his own record for completions in a single game twice, completing 24 passes against both Toledo and Michigan State. He also set the single-game completion percentage record by completing 90% of his passes (19-of-21) against Wright State.
Moore leaves Ohio State with 48 total touchdowns accounted for (39 passing, 5 rushing, 4 receiving) and 3,000 yards of total offense. In his four-year career, he was a part of both Ohio State’s national championship teams and all four conference title teams, the only player in program history that can make that claim.
Abdou Keita: Senior, Wide Receiver
For the second time in as many years, Abdou Keita is a First Team All-American. Despite missing two games due to injury, Keita still put together one of the best receiving seasons in NCFA history. He hauled in 33 passes and led the NCFA in receiving yards (748) and receiving touchdowns (13). Seven of his 13 touchdown receptions came in the NCFA postseason against Michigan State, Sacred Heart and Central GA Tech. He posted four 100-yard receiving games and scored twice in all but one game in 2023. He was the only receiver in the NCFA this season to average more than 100 receiving yards per game.
For his career, Keita has caught 62 passes for 1,414 yards and 22 touchdowns, all of which rank second in Ohio State history behind only Casey Scroggins. His 106.8 receiving yards per game average set the program record, toppling Scroggins’ mark of 103.4 in 2021.
Zach Hayes: Freshman, Wide Receiver
In his first season as a Buckeye, Hayes made his case as one of the most impactful freshmen in team history. The Nazareth Academy (Ill.) product hauled in an NCFA-best 43 passes for 550 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023. His eight touchdown catches tied for second in the NCFA and his 550 yards ranked third in the league. He scored multiple touchdowns in each of his first three games against Oakland, Wright State and Ohio Northern (JV).
His 43 receptions rank him third in both single-season and career receptions in team history, and his 550 yards put him at fifth in career receiving yards after just one season. Hayes was also one of three Buckeyes to earn All-American honors at more than one position as he was also named an Honorable Mention All-American for his play at safety.
Sam Dominguez: Senior, Offensive Tackle
A staple along Ohio State’s offensive line for three seasons, senior tackle Sam Dominguez goes out as an All-American. It’s the second straight First Team All-American nod for Dominguez, who started 2021 and 2022 as Ohio State’s right tackle before moving to left tackle in 2023.
Dominguez, who joined the team during the canceled 2020 COVID-19 year, never missed a start in his three seasons. Ohio State posted a 24-5 record during his time in Columbus, winning the national championship in 2021 and conference titles in each of his three years.
Cam Fries: Sophomore, Center
Cam joined the program in 2023 and immediately made an impact along the offensive line for Ohio State. Cam joined Sam Dominguez as the only two Buckeyes to make every start along the offensive line this season, starting all nine games played.
Once again just like Dominguez, Cam never missed a snap in 2023, playing every offensive down for the Buckeyes, showing a bright future for 2024 and beyond.
Tyler Beckman: Freshman, Linebacker
Another impact freshman, Tyler Beckman not only earned a starting job in his first season as a Buckeye, he led the team in tackles on his way to being named a First Team All-American.
Beckman posted 66 tackles in 2023, including 16 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. His best game came against Denison University (JV) when he posted a season-high 10 tackles and a sack. His 66 total tackles rank third-most in a single season in program history. Beckman figures to be a staple of Ohio State’s defense for years to come and a contender to break the team record for career tackles.
Glorien Gough: Freshman, Defensive Back
A freshman from Mater Dei, Glorien Gough quickly established himself as one of the best defensive backs in the NCFA. He started every game for the Buckeyes in 2023, and lined up at a variety of positions in the secondary.
In his first season at Ohio State, Glorien totaled 38 tackles five pass breakups and four interceptions. His best game came against Michigan State in the conference title game, when he collected five tackles and a pair of interceptions, not including a third for a touchdown that was called back due to penalty. His four interceptions tied for third in the NCFA in 2023.
Daniel Zirkle: Sophomore, Long Snapper
A first-year Buckeye, Zirkle transferred to Ohio State from Ashland University where he was a scholarship thrower for the Eagles track and field team. With the Buckeyes, he made an immediate impact, starting eight games as both Ohio State’s long snapper and right tackle.
In the national championship game, Zirkle forced a fumble that Ohio State recovered in the first quarter of the game. Zirkle was arguably the Buckeyes’ best special teams player in 2023, earning him a First Team All-American nod.
Second Team All-Americans
Jack Laing: Sophomore, Running Back
Yet another first-year Buckeye, Jack Laing exploded onto the scene in 2023 for Ohio State. Despite a crowded running back room, Laing was a model of consistency for the Buckeyes, playing in eight of nine games, averaging 68.25 yards per game on the ground. On the year, he rushed for 546 yards, which ranks second in the NCFA in 2023.
Laing’s best game came in the conference title game against Michigan State, when he toted the ball 13 times for 140 yards and a touchdown. The 140 rushing yards were the most by a Buckeye in 2023, and Laing accounted for two of the four 100-yard rushing performances by Ohio State backs this season. His 85 carries led the NCFA and also rank fifth-most all time in team history for a single season
Daniel Zirkle: Sophomore, Offensive Tackle
One of three Buckeyes to be named All-Americans at two different positions, Zirkle was another staple of consistency for Ohio State in 2023. He started eight of nine games at right tackle for the Buckeyes, missing just one game due to injury.
A First Team All-American at long snapper, Zirkle is firmly entrenched on Ohio State’s offensive line and should be a leader for the Buckeyes moving forward into 2024.
Zach Davis: Junior, Offensive Guard
A team captain and officer, Zach Davis battled through injuries in the back half of the season to make an impact for Ohio State in 2023. Despite missing three games, Davis was a force to be reckoned with when he was on the field. He also showed his versatility, starting at right tackle in place of Zirkle when he was out.
Davis enters 2024 as a leader and should be a third-year starter at guard for Ohio State as he works towards getting the Buckeyes back into the NCFA postseason for another run at a national title.
Christian Allen: Junior, Linebacker
Another team captain and officer, Christian Allen made the selfless move from safety to linebacker in 2023 and proved to be one of Ohio State’s most productive and impactful defenders. Despite missing the season opener against Oakland due to injury, Allen finished second on the team in tackles with 60, including 10 for loss. He posted 1.5 sacks and his best statistical performance came in the national title game, where he collected 12 tackles in the loss to Central GA Tech. He also recorded a touchdown in 2023 when he recovered a blocked punt for a score against Denison University (JV).
Allen now ranks fifth all-time in program history with 113 total tackles, just 33 behind current defensive coordinator Dylan Barron for most all-time. As a senior captain, Allen should have the opportunity to set the career tackles mark in 2024.
James Smith: Senior, Defensive Line
One of the most disruptive players in program history, James Smith finds himself as a Second Team All-American for the second straight year. Despite getting knocked out of the national championship game with an injury and missing a game against Wright State, he still posted a stellar 2023 campaign.
James posted 21 total tackles in 2023, including eight for loss and 4.5 sacks. He finishes his Ohio State career tied for fourth on the all-time program sack list with nine. James also blocked three punts in 2023, including one that went out of the end zone for a safety in the NCFA semifinal win over Sacred Heart.
Matt Humphreys: Junior, Defensive Line
Matt Humphreys joined the team after the first game of the season and still managed to be one of the most productive defensive linemen in the country in 2023. A transfer from FCS Robert Morris, Matt immediately became one of the best players on the roster for Ohio State.
Although he joined the team late, he still tallied 32 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and tied James for the team lead in sacks with 4.5 to go along with two forced fumbles. His best game came in the national title game against Central GA Tech, where he posted 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
David Rive: Junior, Kicker
For the third straight year, David Rive finds himself on the NCFA All-American list. He converted on 90% of his extra point attempts in 2023 and connected on three-of-four field goal attempts with a long of 35.
Rive also holds the program record for career extra points (117) and field goals made (11). His 46 made extra points this season also set a single-season record.
Honorable Mention All-Americans
JR Burton: Sophomore, Running Back
Another late add to the roster, JR Burton joined the Buckeyes for their third game of the season and immediately made an impact. Burton carried the ball 55 times for 385 yards in just seven games in 2023. His 385 yards ranked fourth in the NCFA and his eight rushing touchdowns ranked second in the league.
Burton added seven catches for 47 yards and another score out of the backfield this season, setting Ohio State up to have one of the best running back rooms in the NCFA in 2024.
David Cooper: Senior, Wide Receiver/Punter
The third player on this list to be named an All-American at more than one position, David Cooper put together his best season in his third year as a Buckeye. Cooper posted 25 offensive touches for 401 offensive yards and four touchdowns in 2023, in addition to serving as Ohio State’s starting punter.
Cooper finishes his Ohio State career with 601 receiving yards, placing him fourth on the Buckeyes’ all-time receiving yards list. He posted a career-high 90 yards receiving against Denison University (JV) and also starred against Sacred Heart in the NCFA Semifinals, hauling in five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.
Shawn Czado: Freshman, Offensive Guard
A tackle by trade, Shawn Czado moved inside to guard in his first year at Ohio State and immediately earned a starting job. He started eight of nine games for the Buckeyes in 2023 and figures to be a staple of Ohio State’s offensive line for the remainder of his collegiate career.
Jackson Rittman: Junior, Linebacker
For the third time in his career, Jackson Rittman is an All-American, this time as a linebacker. Previously an All-American as an offensive guard, Rittman made the permanent move to linebacker this season and was a stalwart of the Buckeye defense.
Rittman tallied 31 total tackles this season, including seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception. His best game came in the NCFA Semifinals against Sacred Heart, where he collected six tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Rittman also filled in offensively at tight end where he caught a pair of passes for 10 yards and a touchdown.
Trey Jones: Sophomore, Defensive End
In his second year with the Buckeyes, Trey Jones continued to be a dominating force along the Ohio State defensive front. Trey finished his sophomore season with 22 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He is now tied for fourth with James Smith for career sacks in program history with nine.
Daniel Sankiewicz: Sophomore, Defensive End
In eight games, Daniel Sankiewicz posted his best season as a Buckeye. He finished his second season with 22 tackles, including four for loss. He was third on the team in sacks with 3.0 despite missing the NCFA Semifinals due to illness.
Patrick Parrish: Junior, Safety
Arguably the most versatile player on Ohio State’s roster, Patrick Parrish put together a stellar year for the Buckeyes in 2023. Patrick lined up at quarterback, receiver, and multiple positions in the defensive secondary in 2023.
Defensively, he tallied 59 total tackles and 15 tackles for loss to go along with a sack, starting all nine games in 2023. Offensively, he pitched in 11 catches for 194 yards and two touchdowns adding to 112 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. His 59 tackles on defense were the fifth most in a single season in team history.
Zach Hayes: Freshman, Safety
A First Team All-American on offense as a receiver, Zach Hayes played the most snaps of any Buckeye in 2023, as he also starred in the Ohio State secondary. He played both safety and corner for the Buckeyes in 2023 and posted 20 tackles, and collected a sack and an interception on defense.
Joe Umba: Senior, Cornerback
Ohio State’s lone returning corner from 2022, Joe Umba continued his stellar play in 2023. He started all nine games at corner for the Buckeyes, posting 16 tackles and an interception. He was also tied for the NCFA lead in pass breakups with 16.
Marcellus McLellan: Senior, Cornerback
A one-and-done player for the Buckeyes, Marcellus McLellan was a dominant force for Ohio State’s defense in 2023. Playing both corner and safety, Marcellus collected 35 tackles and seven pass breakups to go along with an interception. He started all nine games on defense for the Buckeyes.
Reagan Little: Freshman, Cornerback
A special teams starter for Ohio State, Reagan Little worked his way into All-American status by making the most of his opportunities when he was called upon as a corner for the Buckeye defense.
Reagan posted 15 total tackles and three pass breakups for Ohio State in his rookie season while also snatching two interceptions, the second of which went for a 61-yard touchdown, the lone pick-6 for the Buckeyes in 2023.
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