Announcing the 2023 All-Big Ten College Football Teams
We’re building three 2023 All-Big Ten Teams based on performances from the college football regular season
The 2023 campaign was the last year of the modern Big Ten Conference before some West Coast teams join the party. Quarterback play wasn’t a strong suit for the conference this season, but the defensive talent overflowed. Today, we’re building three 2023 All-Big Ten Teams based on performances from the college football regular season.
Below are my selections for the Big Ten Conference’s greatest individual honors. Considering what he meant to Ohio State’s team, it wasn’t difficult to pick Marvin Harrison Jr. for Offensive Player of the Year.
It was much more difficult to pick the Defensive Player of the Year. Cooper DeJean, Jer'Zhan Newton, Nic Scourton, and Dillon Thieneman all had strong cases, especially Newton, but I leaned toward Minnesota’s Tyler Nubin.
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year: Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
First Team Offense
Quarterback: J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Running Back: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Running Back: Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
Tight End: Cade Stover, Ohio State
Wide Receiver: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Wide Receiver: Isaiah Williams, Illinois
Wide Receiver: Roman Wilson, Michigan
All-Purpose: Blake Corum, Michigan (RB)
Left Tackle: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State
Right Tackle: Josh Fryar, Ohio State
Left Guard: Trevor Keegan, Michigan
Right Guard: Zak Zinter, Michigan
Center: Drake Nugent, Michigan
First Team Defense
Edge Rusher: Chop Robinson, Penn State
Edge Rusher: Nic Scourton, Purdue
Interior Lineman: Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
Interior Lineman: Mason Graham, Michigan
Linebacker: Jay Higgins, Iowa
Linebacker: Aaron Casey, Indiana
Linebacker: Abdul Carter, Penn State
Cornerback: Will Johnson, Michigan
Cornerback: Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Safety: Tyler Nubin, Minnesota
Safety: Dillon Thieneman, Purdue
Michigan dominated the Big Ten in 2023, and that was reflected in the First Team. The Wolverines had eight selections. The only other programs with multiple picks were Ohio State (four), Penn State (three), Illinois (two), Iowa (two), and Purdue (two). Indiana, Minnesota, and Rutgers were also represented, while Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Wisconsin weren’t.
Michigan defeated both Ohio State and Penn State by more than a touchdown for the third year in a row. J.J. McCarthy was far from immaculate, but he, Blake Corum, Roman Wilson, and one of the nation’s best offensive lines authored offensive performances capable of capitalizing on the defense’s shutdown play.
Michigan’s Mason Graham and Will Johnson, Penn State’s Abdul Carter, and Purdue’s Nic Scourton and Dillon Thieneman are all not draft-eligible, making the Big Ten arguably the most-gifted conference when it comes to high-end freshmen and sophomores. Since the end of the season, Scourton has transferred to Texas A&M.
I felt horrible leaving Mike Sainristil off the First Team, which ultimately inspired me to create a “nickel” spot on my All-America Teams.
Second Team Offense
Quarterback: Drew Allar, Penn State
Running Back: Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
Running Back: Blake Corum, Michigan
Tight End: Colston Loveland, Michigan
Wide Receiver: Daniel Jackson, Minnesota
Wide Receiver: Jeshaun Jones, Maryland
Wide Receiver: Deion Burks, Purdue
All-Purpose: Kaytron Allen, Penn State (RB)
Left Tackle: Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
Right Tackle: Caedan Wallace, Penn State
Left Guard: Preston Nichols, Purdue
Right Guard: Matthew Jones, Ohio State
Center: Hunter Nourzad, Penn State
Second Team Defense
Edge Rusher: Adisa Isaac, Penn State
Edge Rusher: Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
Interior Lineman: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Interior Lineman: Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Linebacker: Nick Jackson, Iowa
Linebacker: Junior Colson, Michigan
Linebacker: Michael Barrett, Michigan
Cornerback: Mike Sainristil, Michigan
Cornerback: Denzel Burke, Ohio State
Safety: Beau Brade, Maryland
Safety: Hunter Wohler, Wisconsin
Michigan also had the most selections on the Second Team with six, followed closely by Penn State (five) and Ohio State (four). The other programs with multiple players on the Second Team were Maryland (two), Minnesota (two), Purdue (two), and Wisconsin (two). Iowa had a lone appearance, while Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Rutgers weren’t represented.
The running back room on the Second Team is loaded with talent. Braelon Allen produced more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the third year in a row, while Kaytron Allen overtook teammate Nicholas Singleton by rushing for 902 yards on just 172 carries. Blake Corum, who also appeared as an all-purpose player on the First Team, rounds out the trio.
The defense is loaded with talent. Jack Sawyer and Tyleik Williams are returning to school with the hopes of being high selections. Denzel Burke and Adisa Isaac should be second round picks this year, and Beau Brade and Mike Sainristil will join them as top 100 picks.
Drew Allar, Kaytron Allen, Kenneth Grant, and Colston Loveland are the four Second Team selections who aren’t draft-eligible. That’s two players for Michigan and Penn State. Some programs simply recruit and develop at different levels.
Third Team Offense
Quarterback: Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland
Running Back: Tyrone Tracy, Purdue
Running Back: Kaytron Allen, Penn State
Tight End: Corey Dyches, Maryland
Wide Receiver: KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Penn State
Wide Receiver: Cam Johnson, Northwestern
Wide Receiver: Will Pauling, Wisconsin
All-Purpose: Nicholas Singleton, Penn State (RB)
Left Tackle: Delmar Glaze, Maryland
Right Tackle: Riley Mahlman, Wisconsin
Left Guard: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
Right Guard: Corey Bullock, Maryland
Center: Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin
Third Team Defense
Edge Rusher: JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Edge Rusher: Kydran Jenkins, Purdue
Interior Lineman: Yahya Black, Iowa
Interior Lineman: Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State
Linebacker: Xander Mueller, Northwestern
Linebacker: Bryce Gallagher, Northwestern
Linebacker: Mohamed Toure, Rutgers
Cornerback: Max Melton, Rutgers
Cornerback: Sebastian Castro, Iowa
Safety: Josh Proctor, Ohio State
Safety: Rod Moore, Michigan
For once, the Wolverines didn’t headline a team. Maryland and Ohio State tied for the lead with four selections apiece, followed by Northwestern, Penn State, and Wisconsin at three each. Iowa, Purdue, and Rutgers were the other programs with multiple players selected. Michigan did have one player (Rod Moore) make the team. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Minnesota, and Nebraska didn’t make the cut.
Several big-name players fell to the Third Team, including Ohio State defensive linemen Michael Hall Jr. and JT Tuimoloau. Both are projected top 60 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Defensive backs Max Melton and Rod Moore could also be top 100 picks. Tanor Bortolini, Delmar Glaze, and Donovan Jackson aren’t priority prospects, but they’re solid day three picks.
Kaytron Allen made his second appearance on the teams. He and teammate Nicholas Singleton are the only players on the Third Team who aren’t eligible for the NFL Draft.
All-Big Ten Team Recap
Michigan dominated the All-Big Ten Teams, earning 15 selections, including 14 on the First and Second Teams. Ohio State (12) and Penn State (11) also had strong showings. Keep in mind, Michigan and Penn State each had a player appear twice, so they had 14 and ten total players appear respectively.
There is a massive dip between Penn State and the fourth teams. Maryland and Purdue both had six players make appearances, followed by Iowa and Wisconsin at five. Minnesota, Northwestern, and Rutgers had three, Illinois had two, and Aaron Casey was Indiana’s lone representative. Michigan State and Nebraska were shut out.
Michigan and Penn State both had four non-draft-eligible players earn spots on the All-Big Ten Teams, suggesting their programs have bright futures.
Honorable Mentions Offense
Kyle McCord, QB Ohio State
Devin Mockobee, RB Purdue
Roman Hemby, RB Maryland
Theo Johnson, TE Penn State
Tyler Warren, TE Penn State
Erick All, TE Iowa
Luke Lachey, TE Iowa
Maliq Carr, TE Michigan State
Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE Minnesota
Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio State
Tai Felton, WR Maryland
Casey Washington, WR Illinois
Donaven McCulley, WR Indiana
Kaden Prather, WR Maryland
Cornelius Johnson, WR Michigan
Pat Bryant, WR Illinois
Gus Hartwig, C Purdue
Connor Colby, RG Iowa
Joe Huber, LG Wisconsin
Nick DeJong, LG Iowa
Jack Nelson, LT Wisconsin
Julian Pearl, LT Illinois
Josh Simmons, LT Ohio State
LaDarius Henderson, LT Michigan
Gottlieb Ayedze, RT Maryland
Isaiah Adams, RT Illinois
Honorable Mentions Defense
Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge Penn State
Braiden McGregor, Edge Michigan
Josaiah Stewart, Edge Michigan
Derrick Moore, Edge Michigan
Jaylen Harrell, Edge Michigan
Aaron Lewis, Edge Rutgers
Jah Joyner, Edge Minnesota
Donnell Brown, Edge Maryland
C.J. Goetz, Edge Wisconsin
Darryl Peterson, Edge Wisconsin
Joe Evans, Edge Iowa
Deontae Craig, Edge Iowa
Andre Carter, Edge Nebraska
Seth Coleman, Edge Illinois
Gabe Jacas, Edge Illinois
Logan Lee, IDL Iowa
Ty Robinson, IDL Nebraska
Nash Hutmacher, IDL Nebraska
Simeon Barrow Jr., IDL Michigan State
Derrick Harmon, IDL Michigan State
Keith Randolph Jr., IDL Illinois
Ty Hamilton, IDL Ohio State
James Thompson Jr., IDL Wisconsin
Aaron Graves, IDL Iowa
Kris Jenkins, IDL Michigan
Kobe King, LB Penn State
Curtis Jacobs, LB Penn State
Cal Haladay, LB Michigan State
Tyreem Powell, LB Rutgers
Deion Jennings, LB Rutgers
Tommy Eichenberg, LB Ohio State
Steele Chambers, LB Ohio State
Ruben Hyppolite II, LB Maryland
Luke Reimer, LB Nebraska
Maema Njongmeta, LB Wisconsin
Josh Wallace, CB Michigan
Tommi Hill, CB Nebraska
Ricardo Hallman, CB Wisconsin
Ricardo Hallman, CB Wisconsin
Justin Walley, CB Minnesota
Ja'Quan Sheppard, CB Maryland
Davison Igbinosun, CB Ohio State
Johnny Dixon, CB Penn State
Kalen King, CB Penn State
Tahveon Nicholson, CB Illinois
Tarheeb Still, CB Maryland
Daequan Hardy, NB Penn State
Rod Heard II, NB Northwestern
Xavier Scott, NB Illinois
Omar Brown, NB Nebraska
Jack Henderson, NB Minnesota
Kevin Winston Jr., S Penn State
Xavier Nwankpa, S Iowa
Quinn Schulte, S Iowa
Isaac Gifford, S Nebraska
Lathan Ransom, S Ohio State
Dante Trader Jr., S Maryland