2012 Preseason All-Big Ten Team

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Aug 20, 2012

2012 Preseason All-Big Ten Team

Denard Robinson

The electrifying runner hopes to pass better this season; if successful, he'll be unstoppable.

Monte&#233; Ball

Coming off a 39-touchdown campaign, the all-purposeyardage leader (159.2) needs 11 scores to own the conference mark.

Rex Burkhead

Burkhead averaged nearly 22 carries per game for Nebraska. As goes their workhorse, so go the Huskers.

Jared Abbrederis

His darting speed and keen cuts allow the Badgers to stretch the field.

Keenan Davis

Fast and physical, Iowa's go-to receiving threat will haul in many more than his 50 grabs of 2011.

Jake Stoneburner

After his 14-catch 2011, he'll be a huge beneficiary of Urban Meyer's offense -- provided he can stay out of trouble after returning fromsuspension.

Taylor Lewan

The durable (22 starts) part man, part mountain drives piles and shields Shoelace.

Chris McDonald

The fifth-year senior allowed one sack and had 49 knockdowns last season.

Travis Frederick

The former guard now moves to the pivot, where he started in the Big Ten title game.

Spencer Long

The former walk-on has emerged as the line leader for the run-happy Huskers.

Ricky Wagner

The converted tight end is on the Outland Trophy watch list along with linemate Travis Frederick.

William Gholston

The scourge of Big Ten quarterbacks posted 29 tackles in a two-game span against Nebraska and Minnesota.

Johnathan Hankins

The 6-foot-3, 317-pounder had 67 tackles (11 for loss) during his breakout 2011 season.

Kawann Short

He's posted 33.5 tackles for loss and aims for more this year due to a new fitness regime.

John Simon

Simon has posted 28.5 career tackles for loss and teams with Johnathan Hankins on OSU's ferocious front.

Denicos Allen

The leader of the Spartans pass rush had 18 combined sacks and quarterback hurries last year.

Chris Borland

He returned from a mostly lost 2010 to rack up 143 tackles (19 for loss).

Mike Taylor

Chris Borland's running mate had 150 tackles, two picks and three forced fumbles last year.

Johnny Adams

Foes avoid this lockdown corner, which is why he had just three interceptions in 2011.

C.J. Barnett

After recovering from a knee injury, Barnett was in on 75 tackles and had two picks.

Isaiah Lewis

Lewis tied for second in the Big Ten in picks with four, two of which he took to the house.

Ricardo Allen

To go with six career picks, he has topped 80 tackles two seasons in a row.

Brett Maher

Faced with the daunting task of replacing All-America Alex Henery, the former walk-on earned first-team All-Big Ten honors. He made 19-of-23 field goals, including three-of-six from 50 yards and beyond.

Brett Maher

Maher was the first player since Purdue's Travis Dorsch in 2001 to be named All-Big Ten kicker and punter in the same season. His 44.5-yard average ranked 10th nationally. He had 20 punts of at least 50 yards and pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line 24 times.

Raheem Mostert

A burner from New Smyrna Beach, Fla., Mostert made his mark as a true freshman. His 33.48-yard average led the nation and is second in Boilermakers history to Stan Brown's 33.6 in 1970. Mostert's 206 kick-return yards against Wisconsin set a school record.

Jared Abbrederis

As a sophomore, Abbrederis ranked third in the nation with a 15.8-yard average, abetted by a 60-yard TD against Indiana. An explosive kick returner as well, the honorable mention All-America racked up 346 all-purpose yards in the Rose Bowl, one shy of Ron Dayne's school record.

2012 Preseason All-Big Ten Team