Ohio State's 2016 season did not end the way many wanted it to, as eventual national champion Clemson thumped the Buckeyes 31-0 in the Fiesta Bowl. But that does not take away the fact that multiple players turned in terrific seasons on the way to a College Football Playoff berth.
Three players set to return for 2017 earned individual awards during Ohio State's 11-2 season and another was dubbed an All-American. They are:
- J.T. BARRETT: Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year Award; also earned the Silver Football as the conference's Most Valuable Player after accounting for 33 touchdowns and throwing for more than 2,500 yards while rushing for another 845;
- MIKE WEBER: Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year Award after running for more than 1,000 yards;
- TYQUAN LEWIS: Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year Award after leading the Buckeyes with 8.