Preseason College Football 2024 All-Big Ten Team & Awards: Ohio State and Oregon Lead the Way
Ohio State is poised to overtake Michigan
The Big Ten welcomed Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington to snow country this summer as the Power Five condensed to form the Power Four. John Harbaugh’s departure and Michigan’s current situation has opened the door for Ohio State to finally reclaim the conference’s crown, but Oregon could emerge as a contender behind their loaded offense.
The Wolverines have won the last three conference championships, but they won’t repeat in 2024. New head coach Sherrone Moore might be facing a suspension, and Michigan’s talent drain on offense is a severe problem. Neither Ohio State nor Oregon has terrific quarterbacks, but they have the skill players to put up big numbers. Oregon doesn’t have the same level of defensive talent as Michigan and Ohio State.
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.
*Indicates 2024 transfer
^Indicates true freshman
Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year: Dillon Gabriel, QB Oregon*
Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year: Mason Graham, IDL Michigan
Big Ten Newcomer of the Year: Caleb Downs, S Ohio State*
Big Ten Coach of the Year: Ryan Day, Ohio State & Dan Lanning, Oregon (Tie)
The Big Ten has several running backs who could compete for the Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY) award. The issue is several are stacked together at Ohio State and Penn State, which clears the way for a quarterback to win the award. In his last four healthy seasons, Dillon Gabriel has averaged 3,512 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, and only five interceptions.
The Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) race will be between Michigan, Ohio State, and Penn State athletes. Abdul Carter, Caleb Downs, and Mason Graham are the most talented players, but there are too many legitimate options to count. Downs and Gabriel are the leading options for Newcomer of the Year, but Will Howard and Quinshon Judkins will also be in the discussion.
Ryan Day is poised to finally get Ohio State over the hump during his reign, but Dan Lanning is one of the best motivators and program builders in the sport. The coach of the conference championship-winning team will win this award.
First Team Offense
Quarterback: Dillon Gabriel, QB Oregon*
Running Back: Kyle Monangai, RB Rutgers
Running Back: Quinshon Judkins, RB Ohio State*
Wide Receiver: Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio State
Wide Receiver: Tez Johnson, WR Oregon
Wide Receiver: Will Pauling, WR Wisconsin
Tight End: Colston Loveland, TE Michigan
All-Purpose: Nicholas Singleton, RB Penn State
Left Tackle: Aireontae Ersery, LT Minnesota
Right Tackle: Marcus Mbow, RT Purdue
Left Guard: Donovan Jackson, LG Ohio State
Right Guard: Joe Huber, RG Wisconsin
Center: Jonah Monheim, C USC
First Team Defense
Defensive End/Edge: Jack Sawyer, Edge Ohio State
Defensive End/Edge: Abdul Carter, Edge Penn State
Defensive Tackle: Mason Graham, IDL Michigan
Defensive Tackle: Kenneth Grant, IDL Michigan
Linebacker: Jay Higgins, LB Iowa
Linebacker: Nick Jackson, LB Iowa
Linebacker: Kydran Jenkins, LB Purdue
Cornerback: Will Johnson, CB Michigan
Cornerback: Denzel Burke, CB Ohio State
Safety: Caleb Downs, S Ohio State*
Safety: Dillon Thieneman, S Purdue
Ohio State led the way on the First Team with six total selections. Michigan and Purdue were the only programs anywhere near the same zip code. The Wolverines had four selections while the Boilermakers had three. Iowa, Oregon, Penn State, and Wisconsin also had multiple players earn All-Conference honors, while Minnesota, Rutgers, and USC got on the board with one apiece.
Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, UCLA, and Washington weren’t represented.
Last year’s Preseason All-Big Ten Teams were also top-heavy, with six teams failing to earn spots. Adding four former Pac-12 schools just increases this clot of have-nots at the bottom of the conference. Fortunately, teams are the sum of their parts, and we’ll see several of these programs post winning records.
Colston Loveland is the favorite to be the top tight end selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. He’s far from the only future NFL tight end in the conference. The Big Ten is LOADED with stars at the position. Iowa’s Luke Lachey, Michigan State’s Jack Velling, Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson, and Penn State’s Tyler Warren are Sunday players. Cole Rusk, an Illinois transfer by way of Murray State, might have something to him too.
The Big Ten is also positioned to dominate at running back, defensive line, and in the defensive backfield. Two running backs on the First Team were in the FBS’s top ten leaders in rushing yards after contact last season (Kyle Monangai with 881 and Quinshon Judkins with 871).
Nicholas Singleton is coming off a down year, but his 1,146-yard true freshman season showed flashes of his immense potential. Other running backs in the conference looking to bounce back from injuries or down years include Donovan Edwards, TreVeyon Henderson, Jo'Quavious Marks, and Devin Mockobee.
Dillon Thieneman intercepted six passes as a true freshman last year to earn Third Team All-American honors from the Associated Press. Caleb Downs, also a true freshman, was a Second Team All-American. Denzel Burke and Will Johnson were First Team All-Big Ten selections (coaches) last year and are projected first round picks for 2025. It’s a stacked defensive backfield.
Second Team Offense
Quarterback: Will Howard, QB Ohio State*
Running Back: James Jordan, RB Oregon
Running Back: Devin Mockobee, RB Purdue
Wide Receiver: Evan Stewart, WR Oregon*
Wide Receiver: Daniel Jackson, WR Minnesota
Wide Receiver: Jeremiah Hunter, WR Washington*
Tight End: Tyler Warren, TE Penn State
All-Purpose: TreVeyon Henderson, RB Ohio State
Left Tackle: Josh Conerly Jr., LT Oregon
Right Tackle: Ajani Cornelius, RT Oregon
Left Guard: Marcus Harper II, LG Oregon
Right Guard: Matthew Bedford, RG Oregon*
Center: Logan Jones, C Iowa
Second Team Defense
Defensive End/Edge: Jah Joyner, Edge Minnesota
Defensive End/Edge: JT Tuimoloau, Edge Ohio State
Defensive Tackle: Tyleik Williams, IDL Ohio State
Defensive Tackle: Yahya Black, IDL Iowa
Linebacker: Jaishawn Barham, LB Michigan*
Linebacker: Tyreem Powell, LB Rutgers
Linebacker: Xander Mueller, LB Northwestern
Cornerback: Ricardo Hallman, CB Wisconsin
Cornerback: Jabbar Muhammad, CB Oregon*
Safety: Xavier Nwankpa, S Iowa
Safety: Kevin Winston Jr., S Penn State
Ohio State continued its strong showing with four Second Team selections, but Oregon really took over. The Ducks dominated with seven players on the team, including four offensive linemen.
Oregon’s offensive line is the main reason why the Ducks stand a chance at being competitive in a conference built on toughness and grit, two things the Pac-12 wasn’t known for. Oregon won’t face as much of an uphill climb in 2024 as UCLA, USC, and Washington.
Iowa had three Second Team selections while Minnesota and Penn State had two. Michigan, Northwestern, Purdue, Rutgers, Washington, and Wisconsin also got on the board. Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, UCLA, and USC weren’t represented.
The Big Ten could produce five first round selections along the defensive line this coming cycle. Ohio State and Michigan have multiple top 50 prospects along their defensive fronts. Penn State also has multiple top 100 prospects in the trenches.
Outside of the four members of the First Team, JT Tuimoloau and Tyleik Williams are the Big Ten’s best bets to earn first round glory along the defensive line. The draft class’ talent along the defensive interior might push Williams down the board, but the lack of outstanding edge prospects could benefit players like Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau.
Ricardo Hallman, a 2023 Third Team All-American, and Jabbar Muhammad, a 2023 Second Team All-Pac-12 selection, keep the strong run on cornerbacks going, and we haven’t even hit 2023 Third Team All-American defensive back Sebastian Castro yet.
Third Team Offense
Quarterback: Miller Moss, QB USC
Running Back: Donovan Edwards, RB Michigan
Running Back: Roman Hemby, RB Maryland
Wide Receiver: J. Michael Sturdivant, WR UCLA
Wide Receiver: Tai Felton, WR Maryland
Wide Receiver: Zachariah Branch, WR USC
Tight End: Jack Velling, TE Michigan State*
All-Purpose: Jo'Quavious Marks, RB USC*
Left Tackle: Josh Simmons, LT Ohio State
Right Tackle: Riley Mahlman, RT Wisconsin
Left Guard: Spencer Holstege, LG UCLA
Right Guard: Connor Colby, RG Iowa
Center: Iapani Laloulu, C Oregon
Third Team Defense
Defensive End/Edge: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge Penn State
Defensive End/Edge: Josaiah Stewart, Edge Michigan
Defensive Tackle: Derrick Harmon, IDL Oregon*
Defensive Tackle: Bear Alexander, IDL USC
Linebacker: Kobe King, LB Penn State
Linebacker: Mohamed Toure, LB Rutgers
Linebacker: Cody Simon, LB Ohio State
Cornerback: Justin Walley, CB Minnesota
Cornerback: Kam Alexander, CB Oregon*
Safety: Hunter Wohler, S Wisconsin
Safety: Sebastian Castro, NB Iowa
Oregon continued to close on Ohio State with three selections on the Third Team, but it was USC who led the way with four. A handful of programs had two selections, including Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, UCLA, and Wisconsin.
Michigan State, Minnesota, and Rutgers all had one athlete appear on the Third Team. The six teams that did not appear were Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska, Northwestern, Purdue, and Washington.
USC benefits from a couple of predictive swings on the Third Team. I could easily replace Miller Moss with Drew Allar, Max Brosmer, or Tyler Van Dyke, but quarterbacks in Lincoln Riley’s scheme usually post elite production. Sophomore Zachariah Branch will be one of the offense’s top beneficiaries. Mississippi State transfer Jo'Quavious Marks should also have a career year.
There are several members of the Third Team who could easily push for First or Second Team honors. Jack Velling should see a good volume of targets. Donovan Edwards and J. Michael Sturdivant showed in 2022 that they can be primary options for their offenses, they just didn’t perform to that level in 2023. Josh Simmons also has Second Team potential.
The All-Big Ten Third Team features plenty of defensive talent, especially in the secondary. Sebastian Castro was a Third Team All-American in 2023, Kam Alexander was an First Team All-AAC selection, Hunter Wohler was an All-Big Ten selection for both the coaches and media, and Justin Walley is a former Freshman All-American for 247Sports.
Final Outcome and Recap
Ohio State and Oregon tied for the conference lead with 12 Preseason All-Big Ten selections. No other program had more than seven, and three teams failed to appear completely. For reference, Michigan and Ohio State tied for the preseason lead last year at 14 apiece, followed by Maryland and Penn State at eight. Only one school was shut out.
Michigan (seven), Iowa, (seven), Penn State (six), USC (five), and Wisconsin (five) had respectable showings but failed to compete with the conference’s most championship-ready programs. Minnesota (four), Purdue (four), Rutgers (three), Maryland (two), and UCLA (two) were the other schools with multiple selections.
Michigan State, Northwestern, and Washington avoided the shut out with one player each. The Huskies falling from grace is a reminder of what a big draft class and coaching change can do to a program in the transfer portal era. Washington has multiple potential All-Big Ten players but no locks outside of Jeremiah Hunter.
Illinois, Indiana, and Nebraska did not make appearances. Illinois’s absence is another surprise. The school has talented players like J.C. Davis, Zakhari Franklin, Gabe Jacas, Cole Rusk, Miles Scott, Xavier Scott, and Kevin Wigenton II, but that crop just can’t replace the NFL-caliber trench players and pass catchers Illinois said goodbye to over the past two years.
Thirteen players across the three teams were transfers who joined their current programs this offseason. That’s nearly double the mark (seven) of my Preseason All-ACC Teams. No true freshmen made the teams, but Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola and Ohio State’s freshman wide receiver duo of Mylan Graham and Jeremiah Smith could make some noise.
The Big Ten is the second-most talented conference in college football, which means several key players were left off the Preseason All-Big Ten Teams. Chief among them were Illinois’ J.C. Davis and Gabe Jacas, Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt, Iowa’s Luke Lachey, Nebraska’s Nash Hutmacher, Ohio State’s Lathan Ransom, Oregon’s Jeffrey Bassa and Terrance Ferguson, Penn State’s Drew Allar and Amin Vanover, Rutger’s Dymere Miller, USC’s Emmanuel Pregnon and Kamari Ramsey, Washington’s Drew Azzopardi and Jonah Coleman, and Wisconsin’s Jack Nelson and James Thompson Jr.
Five Additional Breakout Candidates
1. Carnell Tate, WR Ohio State
2. Dylan Raiola, QB Nebraska^
3. Anto Saka, Edge Northwestern
4. Drew Azzopardi, RT Washington*
5. Jack Henderson, NB Minnesota
Honorable Mentions: Offense
Drew Allar, QB Penn State
Max Brosmer, QB Minnesota*
Hudson Card, QB Purdue
Aidan Chiles, QB Michigan State*
Ethan Garbers, QB UCLA
Dylan Raiola, QB Nebraska^
Will Rogers, QB Washington*
Kurtis Rourke, QB Indiana*
Tyler Van Dyke, QB Wisconsin*
Jahmal Banks, WR Nebraska*
Pat Bryant, WR Illinois
Miles Cross, WR Indiana*
Christian Dremel, WR Rutgers
Rico Flores Jr., WR UCLA*
Montorie Foster Jr., WR Michigan State*
Zakhari Franklin, WR Illinois*
Jaron Glover, WR Michigan State*
Mylan Graham, WR Ohio State^
Traeshon Holden, WR Oregon
Bryce Kirtz, WR Northwestern
Logan Loya, WR UCLA
Donaven McCulley, WR Indiana
Dymere Miller, WR Rutgers*
Isaiah Neyor, WR Nebraska*
Kaden Prather, WR Maryland
Duce Robinson, WR USC
Mario Sanders II, WR Illinois*
Elijah Sarratt, WR Indiana*
Jeremiah Smith, WR Ohio State^
Carnell Tate, WR Ohio State
Terrance Ferguson, TE Oregon
Thomas Fidone III, TE Nebraska
Zach Horton, TE Indiana*
Preston Howard, TE Maryland
Max Klare, TE Purdue
Luke Lachey, TE Iowa
Moliki Matavao, TE UCLA
Lake McRee, TE USC
Cole Rusk, TE Illinois*
Kaytron Allen, RB Penn State
Sieh Bangura, RB Minnesota*
Kaelon Black, RB Indiana*
Nate Carter, RB Michigan State
Jonah Coleman, RB Washington*
Justice Ellison, RB Indiana*
T.J. Harden, RB UCLA
Ty Son Lawton, RB Indiana*
Reggie Love III, RB Purdue*
Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams, RB Michigan State*
Chez Mellusi, RB Wisconsin
Cam Porter, RB Northwestern
Darius Taylor, RB Minnesota
Tawee Walker, RB Wisconsin*
Noah Whittington, RB Oregon
Michael Carmody, LT UCLA*
J.C. Davis, LT Illinois*
Myles Hinton, LT Michigan
Jack Nelson, LT Wisconsin
Elijah Paige, LT USC
Hollin Pierce, LT Rutgers
Drew Shelton, LT Penn State
Corey Stewart, LT Purdue*
Caleb Tiernan, LT Northwestern
Drew Azzopardi, RT Washington*
Bryce Benhart, RT Nebraska
Gennings Dunker, RT Iowa
Josh Fryar, RT Ohio State
Nolan Rucci, RT Penn State*
Joe Brunner, LG Wisconsin
Justin Evans, LG Nebraska
Bryan Felter, LG Rutgers
Olaivavega Ioane, LG Penn State
Micah Mazzccua, LG Nebraska
Luke Newman, LG Michigan State*
Emmanuel Pregnon, LG USC
Josh Priebe, LG Michigan*
Kevin Wigenton II, LG Illinois*
Aliou Bah, RG Maryland*
Josh Carlin, RG UCLA
Nick Kidwell, RG Indiana*
DJ Wingfield, RG Purdue*
Gus Hartwig, C Purdue
Mike Katic, C Indiana
Josh Kreutz, C Illinois
Seth McLaughlin, C Ohio State*
Jake Renfro, C Wisconsin
Ben Scott, C Nebraska
Honorable Mentions: Defense
Jamaree Caldwell, IDL Oregon*
James Carpenter, IDL Indiana*
Nate Clifton, IDL USC*
Zane Durant, IDL Penn State
Aaron Graves, IDL Iowa
Nash Hutmacher, IDL Nebraska
Coziah Izzard, IDL Penn State
Mo Omonode, IDL Purdue
Jordan Phillips, IDL Maryland
Ty Robinson, IDL Nebraska
James Thompson Jr., IDL Wisconsin
Jay Toia, IDL UCLA
Sebastian Valdez, IDL Washington*
CJ West, IDL Indiana*
Donnell Brown, Edge Maryland
Jordan Burch, Edge Oregon
Jimari Butler, Edge Nebraska
Lanell Carr Jr., Edge Indiana
Seth Coleman, Edge Illinois
Deontae Craig, Edge Iowa
Quindarius Dunnigan, Edge Michigan State*
Zuriah Fisher, Edge Penn State
Quashon Fuller, Edge Maryland
Aidan Hubbard, Edge Northwestern
Gabe Jacas, Edge Illinois
Kenyatta Jackson, Edge Ohio State
Mikail Kamara, Edge Indiana*
Aaron Lewis, Edge Rutgers
DeShawn Lynch, Edge Washington*
Derrick Moore, Edge Michigan
Jamil Muhammad, Edge USC
Jaylen Pate, Edge Northwestern
Darryl Peterson, Edge Wisconsin
John Pius, Edge Wisconsin*
Anto Saka, Edge Northwestern
Danny Striggow, Edge Minnesota
Drew Tuazama, Edge UCLA*
Matayo Uiagalelei, Edge Oregon
Princewill Umanmielen, Edge Nebraska
Amin Vanover, Edge Penn State
Jeffrey Bassa, LB Oregon
Carson Bruener, LB Washington
Jake Chaney, LB Wisconsin
Mason Cobb, LB USC
Aiden Fisher, LB Indiana*
Cal Haladay, LB Michigan State
Ernest Hausmann, LB Michigan
Ruben Hyppolite II, LB Maryland
Cody Lindenberg, LB Minnesota
Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, LB USC*
Wayne Matthews III, LB Michigan State*
Dylan Rosiek, LB Illinois
Darius Snow, LB Michigan State
Jaheim Thomas, LB Wisconsin*
Stefon Thompson, LB Nebraska*
Joseph Vaughn, LB UCLA*
Jailin Walker, LB Indiana*
Jacobe Covington, CB USC
Nyland Green, CB Purdue*
A.J. Harris, CB Penn State*
Jermari Harris, CB Iowa
Blye Hill, CB Nebraska*
Tommi Hill, CB Nebraska
Jalen Huskey, CB Maryland*
Davison Igbinosun, CB Ohio State
Elijah Jackson, CB Washington
Theran Johnson, CB Northwestern
Devin Kirkwood, CB UCLA
Cam Miller, CB Penn State
D'Angelo Ponds, CB Indiana*
Ephesians Prysock, CB Washington*
Ethan Robinson, CB Minnesota*
Ed Woods, CB Michigan State*
RJ Delancy III, DB Wisconsin*
Jordan Hancock, NB Ohio State
Jack Henderson, NB Minnesota
Desmond Igbinosun, NB Rutgers
Brandon Johnson, NB Oregon*
Glendon Miller, NB Maryland
Jaylen Reed, NB Penn State
Xavier Scott, NB Illinois
Bryan Addison, S UCLA*
Akili Arnold, S USC*
Shawn Asbury II, S Indiana*
Cameron Broussard, S Washington*
Flip Dixon, S Rutgers
Kamren Fabiculanan, S Washington
Isaac Gifford, S Nebraska
Rod Moore, S Michigan (Injury)
Makari Paige, S Michigan
Kamari Ramsey, S USC*
Lathan Ransom, S Ohio State
Kobe Savage, S Oregon*
Quinn Schulte, S Iowa
Miles Scott, S Illinois
Sonny Styles, S Ohio State
Dante Trader Jr., S Maryland
Devin Turner, S Northwestern