Announcing the 2024 All-Big Ten College Football Teams and Awards
These are my selections for the 2024 All-Big Ten Teams and Awards
The Big Ten is on a roll with two teams left in the College Football Playoff. Today, we’ll acknowledge some of the top players who made the conference so formidable this season. Below are my selections for the three All-Big Ten Teams as well as my major award winners for the conference.
The All-Big Ten selections and awards were chosen before the start of bowl season and the College Football Playoff. Performances from those events weren’t considered during this process. A player’s value as a draft prospect plays no role in this selection process. These awards are based purely on performances from the 2024 season.
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year: Abdul Carter, Penn State
Most Outstanding Player of the Year: Tyler Warren, Penn State
Running Back of the Year: Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Pass Catcher of the Year: Tyler Warren, Penn State
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Mason Graham, Michigan
Linebacker of the Year: Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
Defensive Back of the Year: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Coach of the Year: Curt Cignetti, Indiana
First Team Offense
Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Running Back: Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Running Back: Jordan James, Oregon
Wide Receiver: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Wide Receiver: Tai Felton, Maryland
Wide Receiver: Pat Bryant, Illinois
Tight End: Tyler Warren, Penn State
All-Purpose: Tez Johnson, Oregon
Offensive Tackle: Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
Offensive Tackle: Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
Guard: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
Guard: Connor Colby, Iowa
Center: Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State
First Team Defense
Defensive End/Edge: Abdul Carter, Penn State
Defensive End/Edge: Josaiah Stewart, Michigan
Defensive Tackle: Mason Graham, Michigan
Defensive Tackle: Derrick Harmon, Oregon
Linebacker: Carson Schwesinger, UCLA
Linebacker: Jay Higgins, Iowa
Linebacker: Kobe King, Penn State
Cornerback: D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
Cornerback: Jermari Harris, Iowa
Safety: Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Safety: Xavier Scott, Illinois
Oregon won the Big Ten Conference Championship, and the First Team’s composition reflects their talent. Five Ducks made the First Team, followed by four Buckeyes and Hawkeyes. This marks a dramatic departure from my All-Big Ten First Team last year when Michigan doubled the next closest program (eight to Ohio State’s four).
Penn State (three), Illinois (two), and Michigan (two) were the only other programs with multiple players on the First Team. Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, and UCLA were also represented, meaning eight teams failed to make an appearance. Five programs missed out on First Team honors in 2023. Four of those same teams also missed the cut this year.
The Big Ten is the second-most talented conference in the country, and you could argue its pool of tight ends, offensive tackles, linebackers, and safeties outclass what’s available in any other conference. Those four positions were the most difficult to select in this process. Picking the edge and defensive tackle spots was also difficult considering the conference’s immense depth at both positions.
Second Team Offense
Quarterback: Kurtis Rourke, Indiana
Running Back: Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
Running Back: Jonah Coleman, Washington
Wide Receiver: Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
Wide Receiver: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Wide Receiver: Daniel Jackson, Minnesota
Tight End: Colston Loveland, Michigan
All-Purpose: Woody Marks, USC
Offensive Tackle: Hollin Pierce, Rutgers
Offensive Tackle: Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
Guard: Emmanuel Pregnon, USC
Guard: Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Center: Jonah Monheim, USC
Second Team Defense
Defensive End/Edge: Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
Defensive End/Edge: Mikail Kamara, Indiana
Defensive Tackle: Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Defensive Tackle: Ty Robinson, Nebraska
Linebacker: Cody Simon, Ohio State
Linebacker: Bryce Boettcher, Oregon
Linebacker: Carson Bruener, Washington
Cornerback: Theran Johnson, Northwestern
Cornerback: Thaddeus Dixon, Washington
Safety: Kamari Ramsey, USC
Safety: Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
USC somehow claimed the most spots on the Second Team. The Trojans had four players make appearances, narrowly leading Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon, and Washington, who all had three selections. Michigan and Rutgers had two players each, while Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Penn State avoided being shut out. Seven programs didn’t make appearances.
The Big Ten adding so many former Pac-12 programs really diluted the concentration of talent on the All-Conference Teams. Last year, Michigan and Penn State had more than four selections on the Second Team.
Jonah Coleman and Kamari Ramsey, who is forgoing the NFL Draft to return to school, and sophomore Matayo Uiagalelei are prime candidates to earn First Team honors in 2025.
Third Team Offense
Quarterback: Drew Allar, Penn State
Running Back: Kalel Mullings, Michigan
Running Back: Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Wide Receiver: Denzel Boston, Washington
Wide Receiver: Makai Lemon, USC
Wide Receiver: Dymere Miller, Rutgers
Tight End: Max Klare, Purdue
All-Purpose: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Offensive Tackle: Josh Simmons, Ohio State
Offensive Tackle: Gennings Dunker, Iowa
Guard: Josh Thompson, Northwestern
Guard: Sal Wormley, Penn State
Center: Logan Jones, Iowa
Third Team Defense
Defensive End/Edge: Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
Defensive End/Edge: Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA
Defensive Tackle: Zane Durant, Penn State
Defensive Tackle: Aaron Graves, Iowa
Linebacker: Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota
Linebacker: Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Linebacker: Jailin Walker, Indiana
Cornerback: Jaylin Smith, USC
Cornerback: A.J. Harris, Penn State
Safety: Jaylen Reed, Penn State
Safety: Koi Perich, Minnesota
Ohio State and Penn State pulled away from the rest of the Big Ten with their performances on the Third Team. The Nittany Lions had six players make appearances while the Buckeyes had four. Iowa, Minnesota, Purdue, and USC were the only other programs with multiple players selected (two apiece).
Indiana, Michigan, Northwestern, Rutgers, UCLA, and Washington were also represented. Six programs were shut out, making the Third Team the most diverse of the three All-Big Ten squads. Several draft-eligible members of the Third Team, including Drew Allar, Logan Jones, and Max Klare, have announced their intent to return to college in 2025. Klare has transferred from Purdue to Ohio State.
In total, Ohio State led all Big Ten programs in All-Conference selections with 11. Penn State (ten) wasn’t far behind. The Nittany Lions had a strong case for Kaytron Allen to make the Third Team, but he was one of my last cuts. Oregon came in third place with eight selections and had several worthy candidates, including Jeffrey Bassa, Jordan Burch, Jamaree Caldwell, Jabbar Muhammad, and Teitum Tuioti.
Iowa and USC (six), Indiana and Michigan (five), and Minnesota and Washington (four) were also well-represented. Rutgers was the only program with three selections. Illinois, Northwestern, Purdue, and UCLA all had pairs make the teams. Maryland and Nebraska each had one. Michigan State and Wisconsin were shut out, joining 2023 Michigan State and 2023 Nebraska as programs that fell short.
For reference, Michigan (15), Ohio State (12), and Penn State (11) were the leaders on my 2023 All-Big Ten Teams. Talent was more evenly distributed this year, but the inclusion of several new teams also dragged down the totals for top programs.
Honorable Mentions: Offense
Luke Altmyer, QB Illinois
Max Brosmer, QB Minnesota
Will Howard, QB Ohio State
Kaytron Allen, RB Penn State
Justice Ellison, RB Indiana
Roman Hemby, RB Maryland
Quinshon Judkins, RB Ohio State
Ty Son Lawton, RB Indiana
Darius Taylor, RB Minnesota
Tawee Walker, RB Wisconsin
Zakhari Franklin, WR Illinois
Giles Jackson, WR Michigan State
Nick Marsh, WR Michigan State
Kaden Prather, WR Maryland
Elijah Spencer, WR Minnesota
Evan Stewart, WR Oregon
Carnell Tate, WR Ohio State
Harrison Wallace III, WR Penn State
Terrance Ferguson, TE Oregon
Moliki Matavao, TE UCLA
Jack Velling, TE Michigan State
J.C. Davis, OT Illinois
Anthony Donkoh, OT Penn State
Gennings Dunker, OT Iowa
Myles Hinton, OT Michigan
Riley Mahlman, OT Wisconsin
Jack Nelson, OT Wisconsin
Carter Smith, OT Illinois
Caleb Tiernan, OT Northwestern
Trey Wedig, OT Indiana
Tyler Cooper, G Minnesota
Drew Evans, G Indiana
Marcus Harper II, G Oregon
Joe Huber, G Wisconsin
Luke Newman, G Michigan State
Josh Priebe, G Michigan
DJ Wingfield, G Purdue
Gus Hartwig, C Purdue
Mike Katic, C Indiana
Iapani Laloulu, C Oregon
Honorable Mentions: Defense
Jordan Burch, Edge Oregon
Seth Coleman, Edge Illinois
Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge Penn State
TJ Guy, Edge Michigan
Will Heldt, Edge Purdue
Ethan Hurkett, Edge Iowa
Gabe Jacas, Edge Illinois
Jah Joyner, Edge Minnesota
Derrick Moore, Edge Michigan
Anto Saka, Edge Northwestern
JT Tuimoloau, Edge Ohio State
Teitum Tuioti, Edge Oregon
Rayshaun Benny, IDL Michigan
Yahya Black, IDL Iowa
Dennis Briggs Jr., IDL Illinois
Jamaree Caldwell, IDL Oregon
James Carpenter, IDL Indiana
Deven Eastern, IDL Minnesota
Kyonte Hamilton, IDL Rutgers
Ty Hamilton, IDL Ohio State
Nash Hutmacher, IDL Nebraska
Dvon J-Thomas, IDL Penn State
Jalen Logan-Redding, IDL Minnesota
Jordan Phillips, IDL Maryland
Jay Toia, IDL UCLA
Tyrique Tucker, IDL Indiana
CJ West, IDL Indiana
Tyleik Williams, IDL Ohio State
Jaishawn Barham, LB Michigan
Jeffrey Bassa, LB Oregon
Dariel Djabome, LB Rutgers
Aiden Fisher, LB Indiana
Ernest Hausmann, LB Michigan
Ruben Hyppolite II, LB Maryland
Nick Jackson, LB Iowa
Kydran Jenkins, Edge/LB Purdue
Xander Mueller, LB Northwestern
Tyreem Powell, LB Rutgers
Charles Brantley, CB Michigan State
Denzel Burke, CB Ohio State
Ricardo Hallman, CB Wisconsin
Tommi Hill, CB Nebraska
Davison Igbinosun, CB Ohio State
Will Johnson, CB Michigan
Devin Kirkwood, CB UCLA
Jabbar Muhammad, CB Oregon
Nikko Reed, CB Oregon
Ethan Robinson, CB Minnesota
Eric Rogers, CB Rutgers
Justin Walley, CB Minnesota
Ceyair Wright, CB Nebraska
Bryan Addison, S UCLA
Shawn Asbury II, S Indiana
Kerry Brown, S Minnesota
Sebastian Castro, DB Iowa
Kamren Fabiculanan, S Washington
Amare Ferrell, S Indiana
Jack Henderson, DB Minnesota
Tysheem Johnson, S Oregon
Makari Paige, S Michigan
Quinn Schulte, S Iowa
Miles Scott, S Illinois
Dillon Thieneman, S Purdue
Dante Trader Jr., S Maryland
Hunter Wohler, S Wisconsin
Preston Zachman, S Wisconsin