Sports Illustrated Publishers' Preseason All-Big Ten Team
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — There's a lot of returning talent in the Big Ten this season, and that was obvious when the nine Sports Illustrated publishers around the Big Ten voted on a first-team all-conference team.
Purdue star Rondale Moore, coming back from an injury, was the only player selected TWICE. He was listed as a first-team wide receiver and a punt returner. Dominant Purdue defensive lineman George Karlaftis was also a first-team choice. Fellow lineman Lorenzo Neal received votes.
Michigan led the way with five players on the team, with Ohio State and Penn State each boasting four.
To clarify on the format:
- For the offense, SI Big Ten publishers used a format of one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, two offensive tackles, two offensive guards and one center.
- For the defense, we included four defensive linemen and four linebackers based on various programs' schemes.
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields was named the publishers' preseason offensive player of the year. Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons was selected as the preseason defensive player of the year.
Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day was named the preseason coach of the year.
The nine voters named eight players as unanimous choices. They were Alaric Jackson, Wyatt Davis, Pat Freiermuth, Micah Parsons, Paddy Fisher, Shawn Wade, Keith Duncan and Blake Hayes.
Ohio State was predicted to win the Big Ten title, and that was unanimous as well. Wisconsin was picked the win the Big Ten West, and received six votes. Minnesota got the other three votes.
Here is a complete list of the first-teamers.
All-Big Ten preseason team
- OFFENSE
- Quarterback: Justin Fields, Ohio State
- Running Back: Journey Brown, Penn State
- Running Back: Elijah Collins, Michigan State
- Wide Receiver: Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
- Wide Receiver: Rondale Moore, Purdue
- Tight end: Pat Freiermuth, Penn State
- Tackles: Cole Van Lanen, Wisconsin
- Tackle: Alaric Jackson, Iowa
- Guard: Wyatt Davis, Ohio State
- Guard: Blaise Andries, Minnesota
- Center: Josh Myers, Ohio State
- DEFENSE
- Defensive line: George Karlaftis, Purdue
- Defensive line: Kwity Paye, Michigan
- Defensive line: Shaka Toney, Penn State
- Defensive line: Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan
- Linebacker: Micah Parsons, Penn State
- Linebacker: Paddy Fisher, Northwestern
- Linebacker: Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin
- Linebacker: Cameron McGrone, Michigan
- Cornerback: Shawn Wade, Ohio State
- Cornerback: Ambry Thomas, Michigan
- Safety: Eric Burrell, Wisconsin
- Safety: Daxton Hill, Michigan
- SPECIAL TEAMS
- Kicker: Keith Duncan, Iowa
- Punter: Blake Hayesm Illinois
- Kick returner: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Iowa
- Punt returner: Rondale Moore, Purdue
- PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
- Offense: Justin Fields, Ohio State
- Defense: Micah Parsons, Penn State
- COACH OF THE YEAR
- Ryan Day, Ohio State
- WINNERS
- Big Ten West Winner: Wisconsin
- Big Ten East Winner: Ohio State
- Big Ten Conference Champion: Ohio State
