Meet the 2024 Football Friday Nite preseason team

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH ) — High school football is back in Ohio, and with that comes the return of Football Friday Nite with Sports Director Joe Nugent, Whitney Harding and David DeGuzman.

Here’s a look at the talented individuals who made the 2024 FFN Preseason Team.

QB Tavien St. Clair, Bellefontaine

He’s the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class and is headed to Ohio State next year. This is his second consecutive appearance on the FFN Preseason Team.

“Get my physics right before college is really the main thing I’ve been focused on,” St. Clair said.

CB Dawayne Galloway, Marion Franklin

Rated as the ninth best cornerback in the country, Dawayne Galloway is also headed to the Big Ten next season. The Marion Franklin senior chose Purdue over Kentucky and Syracuse. At 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, he’s got size and speed. He’s a two-time state runner up in the 100 meters at the Division II OHSAA state championships.

C Jake Cook, Westerville North

Jake Cook will be a force to be reckoned with this season on the offensive line for Westerville North. At 6-5 and 295 pounds, he’ll play all five positions before becoming a center at Ohio State next season.

“I’m super excited about this year. I think it’ll be a good year for us. We’ve got a huge 25 class with a lot of a lot of athletes,” Cook said.

RB Kentrell Rinehart, Westland

After a massive junior year at Bishop Ready, where he tallied over 2800 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns, running back Kentrell Rinehart moves to Westland looking to help the Cougars achieve their first winning season and make the playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades. He’s taking his football career to the next level at NC State.

DE Denim Cook, Bishop Hartley

Bishop Hartley’s Denim Cook makes the team as a defensive end. He’s a dynamic pass rusher who will head to Pitt next season. Last year, he made first-team All-Ohio.

“Speed is going to be the first move I’ll hit you with,” Cook said. “Then they try to jump on the outside countermove and so I spin usually in.”

WR Preson Bowman, Pickerington North

Pickerington North wide receiver Preston Bowman comes in off a big junior year where he caught for over 700 yards. He looks to lead the Panthers to their first regional championship since 2012 before heading off to college to play for the Kentucky Wildcats.

QB Brennen Ward, Gahanna

The second of three quarterbacks to make the FFN preseason team, Brennen Ward is also headed to Lexington to play for Kentucky. Last season for Gahanna, the three-star QB connected on 67 percent of passes last year, including 27 touchdowns.

CB T.J. Green, Reynoldsburg

Four-year starter TJ Green will lead the Reynoldsburg secondary and he will be moving around, making him tough to gameplan against. Green will play next season at Boston College.

“Last year I got moved to inside backer, so I have more tackles than I had interceptions last year,” Green said. “So that’s definitely a goal for me is to come up with interceptions for our defense.”

TE Tyler Kielmayer, Westerville South

Tight end Tyler Kielmayer plans to be a leader in his senior year for Westerville South before taking his talents to Northwestern.

“To be more vocal. That’s something I got to work on to see what kind of leader I am and leading the guys, definitely in my offense and just the team in general,” Kielmayer said.

QB Levi Davis, Olentangy Orange

Orange quarterback Levi Davis makes the team following a big sophomore year with 20 touchdowns and more than 700 rushing yards.

OT Adam Guthrie, Miami Trace

At 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds, Adam Guthrie leads the offensive line at Miami Trace. Right now, he’s uncommitted to a college program but has more than 20 offers at the table, including Oregon and Auburn. He’s a four-star prospect in the 2026 class and ranks as the No. 17 offensive tackle, according to 247Sports.

DL Cal Thrush, Upper Arlington

Cal Thrush will be a problem for teams opposing the Upper Arlington defensive line. He recently committed to Michigan State from 16 offers from Division I programs. He’s back healthy after missing the first half of last season due to injuries.

“I’ve always grown up wanting to be a great football player, obviously,” Thrush said. “So that’s really cool to get that recognition.”

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