Preseason College Football 2023 All-Big Ten Team: Michigan and Ohio State tie atop the conference
Today, we’ll examine the Big Ten's best players by building three 2023 preseason All-Conference teams
Outside of the SEC, the Big Ten is college football’s premier conference. Today, we’ll dive into the Big Ten’s talent pool by assembling preseason All-Conference teams. This exercise reveals that the conference is still a two-program race, but several teams are on the rise with young talent.
Please note that these teams don’t reflect how I view players as NFL prospects. Talent plays a role in these evaluations, but projected on-field performance and production are more meaningful.
This is the third part of an offseason series where I cover all Power Five conferences. Subscribe for free with your email to receive updates on my latest posts and follow along as we cover the college football landscape.
*Indicates new transfer
^Indicates Sam Teets 2022 preseason All-Conference selection
First Team Offense
Quarterback: J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
Running Back: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State^
Running Back: Blake Corum, Michigan^
Wide Receiver: Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State^
Wide Receiver: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Wide Receiver: Isaiah Williams, Illinois
Tight End: Luke Lachey, Iowa
All-Purpose: Braelon Allen, Wisconsin (RB)^
Offensive Tackle: Olu Fashanu, Penn State
Offensive Tackle: Gottlieb Ayedze, Maryland*
Guard: Isaiah Adams, Illinois
Guard: Zak Zinter, Michigan
Center: Drake Nugent, Michigan*
First Team Defense
Defensive End/Edge: Chop Robinson, Penn State
Defensive End/Edge: Aaron Lewis, Rutgers
Defensive Tackle: Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois
Defensive Tackle: Michael Hall Jr., Ohio State
Linebacker: Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State^
Linebacker: Junior Colson, Michigan
Linebacker: Maema Njongmeta, Wisconsin
Cornerback: Will Johnson, Michigan
Cornerback: Kalen King, Penn State
Safety: Rod Moore, Michigan
Safety: Cooper DeJean, Iowa
Michigan dominates the First Team with seven selections, outpacing Ohio State (five), Illinois (three), and Penn State (three). Iowa and Wisconsin were the only other programs with multiple selections. Indiana, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern, and Purdue weren’t represented, making this one of the most top-heavy All-Conference squads yet.
Only five of the 24 First Team members are returning players who earned preseason All-Conference honors from this outlet last summer. Maryland’s Gottlieb Ayedze and Michigan’s Drake Nugent are the only transfers on the team entering the first year with their new schools. This marks a significant departure from the ACC and Pac-12, which both had at least six new transfers on their First Teams.
Michigan’s and Ohio State’s selections were almost evenly distributed across the offense and defense. The two programs accounted for most of the “skill positions” on offense. Michigan’s steak of strong trench and secondary play continued with two First Team selections on the offensive line and in the defensive backfield.
J.J. McCarthy still needs to develop, but he has the inside track to the third quarterback spot in the 2024 NFL Draft (trailing only Drake Maye and Caleb Williams). Olu Fashanu, Emeka Egbuka, Michael Hall Jr., Marvin Harrison Jr., Kalen King, and Chop Robinson are also receiving summer first round evaluations. Blake Corum, Tommy Eichenberg, and Jer'Zhan Newton aren’t receiving as much first round hype, but they will compete for the top spots at their respective positions in the draft class.
Michigan cornerback Will Johnson is the only member of the First Team who isn’t draft-eligible.
Second Team Offense
Quarterback: Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland^
Running Back: Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Running Back: Donovan Edwards, Michigan
Wide Receiver: Dante Cephas, Penn State*
Wide Receiver: Jeshaun Jones, Maryland
Wide Receiver: Cornelius Johnson, Michigan
Tight End: Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota
All-Purpose: Roman Hemby, Maryland (RB)
Offensive Tackle: Delmar Glaze, Maryland^
Offensive Tackle: LaDarius Henderson, Michigan*
Guard: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State^
Guard: Connor Colby, Iowa^
Center: Gus Hartwig, Purdue
Second Team Defense
Defensive End/Edge: JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Defensive End/Edge: Josaiah Stewart, Edge Michigan*
Defensive Tackle: Keith Randolph Jr., Illinois
Defensive Tackle: Kris Jenkins, Michigan
Linebacker: Nick Jackson, Iowa*
Linebacker: Abdul Carter, Penn State
Linebacker: Bryce Gallagher, Northwestern
Cornerback: Mike Sainristil, Michigan (Slot)
Cornerback: Tahveon Nicholson, Illinois
Safety: Quinn Schulte, Iowa
Safety: Beau Brade, Maryland
The Second Team featured a more even distribution of talent. Michigan once again took the lead with six selections, followed by Maryland (five). Iowa (three), Penn State (three), Illinois (two), and Ohio State (two) were the only other programs to receive multiple selections. Indiana, Michigan State, and Nebraska were shut out for the second consecutive round. They were joined by Rutgers and Wisconsin, who also had no selections.
Four players on the Second Team earned preseason All-Big Ten honors in 2022, including three offensive linemen. Four members of the Second Team transferred to their current programs after the 2022 season. The most notable transfer is projected top 100 pick LaDarius Henderson, who transitioned from playing guard for Arizona State to playing tackle for the Wolverines.
Maryland captured four spots on the Second Team’s offense. Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa is widely expected to be among the top two for passing yards in the conference, which should lead to production for players like Jeshaun Jones and Roman Hemby. However, Maryland’s passing attack was very balanced in 2022, with only Jones topping the 500-yard mark.
Illinois sent three defensive backs to the NFL this past spring. Cornerback Tahveon Nicholson is next up in their pipeline. Similar pipelines we see continue on the Second Team include Michigan at running back and along the defensive line, Iowa along the offensive line, and Penn State at running back and wide receiver.
Penn State’s Abdul Carter and Nicholas Singleton are the only non-draft-eligible members of the Second Team.
Third Team Offense
Quarterback: Drew Allar, Penn State
Running Back: Miyan Williams, Ohio State^
Running Back: Kaytron Allen, Penn State
Wide Receiver: Corey Crooms Jr., Minnesota*
Wide Receiver: Roman Wilson, Michigan
Wide Receiver: Tyrese Chambers, Maryland*
Tight End: Cade Stover, Ohio State
All-Purpose: Sean Tyler, Minnesota* (RB)
Offensive Tackle: Julian Pearl, Illinois
Offensive Tackle: Jack Nelson, Wisconsin
Guard: Matthew Jones, Ohio State^
Guard: Corey Bullock, Maryland*
Center: Jake Renfro, Wisconsin*
Third Team Defense
Defensive End/Edge: Andre Carter, Indiana*
Defensive End/Edge: Seth Coleman, Edge Illinois
Defensive Tackle: Tyleik Williams, Ohio State^
Defensive Tackle: Logan Lee, Iowa
Linebacker: Cal Haladay, Michigan State^
Linebacker: Aaron Casey, Indiana
Linebacker: Steele Chambers, Ohio State
Cornerback: Max Melton, Rutgers
Cornerback: Denzel Burke, Ohio State^
Safety: Tyler Nubin, Minnesota^
Safety: Lathan Ransom, Ohio State
The Third Team is the most balanced of the three. Nebraska and Purdue are the only programs that failed to place a player on the squad. Ohio State dominated the Third Team with seven selections, followed by Minnesota (three). Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Penn State, and Wisconsin all had two players selected.
Six of the players are returning preseason All-Big Ten selections from 2022. Five of the 13 offensive players are new transfers, while Indiana’s Andre Carter is the only transfer on defense. Two of the transfers are skill position players joining the Golden Gophers, and two are offensive additions for the Terrapins.
Wide receivers Tyrese Chambers and Corey Crooms Jr. are the two most interesting transfers on the squad. Chambers topped 1,000 receiving yards in 2021 with FIU, while Crooms averaged more than 750 receiving yards per season over the past two years. Both players are new additions to teams that didn’t have high-volume pass catchers in 2022.
The Buckeyes don’t have as many superstars as in past seasons, but their starters still have high ceilings or floors. That led to players like Matthew Jones and Lathan Ransom capturing spots on the Third Team.
Penn State’s Drew Allar and Kaytron Allen are the only non-draft-eligible members of the Third Team. Allar is a projection considering he’s only attempted 60 passes in college, but the Nittany Lions have one of the most talented offenses in college football. Allar is the in perfect situation to produce at a high level and overcome some speedbumps while developing.
Denzel Burke has received some first round buzz this summer. He’s the only player on the Third Team who is a summer consensus top 60 pick for the media.
Final Outcome and Recap
Michigan and Ohio State tied for the most players on the preseason All-Big Ten Teams with 14 selections each. Maryland and Penn State tied for second with eight apiece. Illinois (seven), Iowa (six), Minnesota (four), and Wisconsin (four) were the other programs with more than two selections. Nebraska was the only school to not have a player selected.
Michigan and Ohio State are in line with the top teams in other conferences. Florida State led the preseason All-ACC Team with 14 selections. Oregon and USC shared the Pac-12 crown with 12 players chosen each.
The outcome this year marks a dramatic shift from 2022. Ohio State sent 15 players to the preseason All-Big Ten Teams last year compared to just six for second place Michigan and Wisconsin. The Wolverines came roaring back this year, while the Buckeyes continued their commanding recruitment and development process.
The Nittany Lions have one of the best young teams in the Big Ten. Four of the five sophomores who appeared on the three teams are from Penn State, including both of the team’s primary running backs and their new starting quarterback. The program saw a significant bump from 2022 to 2023, picking up five more preseason All-Conference selections.
Only 12 of the 72 players on the preseason All-Big Ten Teams are transfers. In comparison, the ACC version of this exercise included 16 transfers, and the Pac-12 version included 18. Maryland and Michigan netted three of the 12 transfers each. Minnesota drew two. Ohio State didn’t add any transfers that made the teams.
Five Additional Breakout Candidates
1. Cam Camper, WR Indiana
2. Mason Graham, IDL Michigan
3. Jack Sawyer, Edge Ohio State
4. Corey Dyches, TE Maryland
5. Jack Henderson, NB Minnesota
Honorable Mentions Offense
Ben Bryant, QB Northwestern*
Hudson Card, QB Purdue*
Kyle McCord, QB Ohio State
Cade McNamara, QB Iowa*
Tanner Mordecai, QB Wisconsin*
Jeff Sims, QB Nebraska*
Jalen Berger, RB Michigan State
Anthony Grant, RB Nebraska
Reggie Love III, RB Illinois
Chez Mellusi, RB Wisconsin
Devin Mockobee, RB Purdue
Erick All, TE Iowa*
Corey Dyches, TE Maryland
Theo Johnson, TE Penn State
Colston Loveland, TE Michigan
Chris Autman-Bell, WR Minnesota
Naseim Brantley, WR Rutgers*
Cam Camper, WR Indiana
Dequece Carter, WR Indiana*
Malachi Coleman, WR Nebraska
Chimere Dike, WR Wisconsin
Julian Fleming, WR Ohio State
Bryson Green, WR Wisconsin*
Jahmal Edrine, WR Purdue*
Billy Kemp IV, WR Nebraska*
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR Penn State
Kaden Prather, WR Maryland*
TJ Sheffield, WR Purdue
Elijah Spencer, WR Minnesota*
Quinn Carroll, OT Minnesota
Nick DeJong, OT Iowa
Josh Priebe, OT/G Northwestern
Caleb Tiernan, OT Northwestern
Tanor Bortolini, G Wisconsin
J.D. Duplain, G Michigan State
Rusty Feth, G/C Iowa*
Mike Katic, G Indiana
Trevor Keegan, G Michigan
Marcus Mbow, G Purdue
Nick Samac, C Michigan State
Honorable Mentions Defense
Simeon Barrow, IDL Michigan State
Mason Graham, IDL Michigan
Tywone Malone, IDL Ohio State
Noah Shannon, IDL Iowa
Wesley Bailey, Edge Rutgers
Deontae Craig, Edge Iowa
Joe Evans, Edge Iowa
C.J. Goetz, Edge Wisconsin
Jaylen Harrell, Edge Michigan
Adisa Isaac, Edge Penn State
Gabe Jacas, Edge Illinois
Kydran Jenkins, Edge Purdue
Braiden McGregor, Edge Michigan
Jeff Pietrowski, Edge Wisconsin*
Jack Sawyer, Edge Ohio State
Princewill Umanmielen, Edge Nebraska
Darian Varner, Edge Wisconsin*
Jaishawn Barham, LB Maryland
Michael Barrett, LB Michigan
Nick Henrich, LB Nebraska
Curtis Jacobs, LB Penn State
Deion Jennings, LB Rutgers
Cody Lindenberg, LB Minnesota
Xander Mueller, LB Northwestern
Tyreem Powell, LB Rutgers
Luke Reimer, LB Nebraska
Ryan Selig, LB Minnesota*
Jordan Turner, LB Wisconsin
Jacoby Windmon, LB Michigan State
Tyler Bride, CB Minnesota*
Johnny Dixon, CB Penn State
Jack Henderson, CB/S Minnesota*
Quinton Newsome, CB Nebraska
Ja'Quan Sheppard, CB Maryland*
Eric Rogers, CB Rutgers*
Tyler Strain, CB Illinois
Josh Wallace, CB Michigan
Justin Walley, CB Minnesota
Cam Allen, S Purdue
Matthew Bailey, S Illinois
Marques Buford Jr., S Nebraska
Ja'Had Carter, CB/S Ohio State*
Keaton Ellis, S Penn State
Rod Heard II, S Northwestern
Davison Igbinosun, DB Ohio State*
Jason Maitre, CB/S Wisconsin*
Josh Proctor, S Ohio State
Darius Snow, DB Michigan State
Dante Trader Jr., S Maryland