The 2024 season is just around the corner. Get excited! Week 0 is just around the corner and I’ll reveal my top 10 players from each power conference and then the top 25 players nationally.
It’s a fun but difficult exercise. In these crowded conferences – especially the SEC and Big Ten – it’s almost impossible to narrow the number of players down to just 10.
But that’s exactly what makes it fun!
Real stars and All-Americans don’t even make the shortlist.
I revealed my top 10 SEC players on Monday and today we’re looking at my top 10 Big Ten players for 2024.
Once again, some real guys didn’t even qualify for an honorable mention. So apologies to guys like the Oregon wideouts Evan Stewart And Tez Johnsonand Ohio State End Jack Sawyer and Penn State lead Dani Dennis Sutton.
This isn’t a list of the top 10 future pros, although that certainly plays a role in my calculations. But ultimately, it’s my top 10 most influential players in the Big Ten right now, heading into the 2024 season.
So feel free to discuss.
Honorable Mention: CB Denzel Burke, Ohio StateRB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio StateRB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State, Jay Higgins, IowaDL Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Despite a somewhat disappointing 2023 season, no one would have been surprised if Egbuka had gone to the NFL Draft. Instead, after being overshadowed by Marvin Harrison Jr. for the past two years, he’s poised to be Ohio State’s main contributor in 2024. He should see an uptick in performance (similar to his 2022 year) with improved QB play. Egbuka excels at finding open gaps in teams’ zone defenses and can play multiple positions on offense. And while he lacks game-winning speed, the former 5-star is insidiously difficult to tackle after the catch.
The only Big Ten quarterback on my list is a freshman in his third league in four years, Gabriel has lit up the AAC and Big 12. The left-hander led Oklahoma to a 10-win season last year by posting the best numbers in the conference in yards, completion percentage and touchdowns. He’s a perfect fit in Will Stein’s RPO-heavy offense and should thrive when surrounded by an elite group of playmakers (apologies again to Evan Stewart and Tez Johnson) and a stout offensive line. He’s the favorite for the Heisman Trophy, and it’s easy to see why.
The Wolverines have four players on my top 10 list, which is why I believe the story of the Maize & Blue’s demise in 2024. With Brock Bowers headed to the NFL, Loveland is arguably the best tight end in college football. The junior is a ruthlessly efficient route runner and pass catcher. Last season, he ranked second on the team in yards per catch (14.4), receiving yards (649) and touchdowns (four). Whoever starts at quarterback for Michigan will be able to rely on Loveland as their primary safety reserve this fall.
The Hawkeyes have seen Cooper DeJean leave for the NFL, but they still boast one of the best secondaries in the country this fall thanks to players like Sebastian Castro, one of the better nickelbacks/starbacks. The senior excels in both the running game and the passing game. According to On3’s Clark Brooks, his 54 impact plays were the most of any Core 4 defender last season. Castro also has the best coverage grade for his returners, according to PFF. With all the great players in the Big Ten, Castro might get lost in the cornfields, but the guy is really great.
Last season, Carter was the man for the Nittany Lions’ top-five unit, played the most snaps on the team and finished the season with 48 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, five pass breakups and a pick. And yet, it was a bit of a disappointment after a great first year. He’s outgrown his role as an inside linebacker (he’s now 250 pounds), so he transferred to finish this offseason. Good call. Carter is a devil as a rusher, recording 28 pressures in 2023 — despite only pressuring the passer on 33% of PSU’s defensive snaps. That’s his full-time role now. Watch out.
Tuimoloau opted to return to Columbus rather than declare for the NFL Draft, giving the Buckeyes one of the most experienced edge rushers in the country this fall. Although he posted career-highs in tackles and sacks last season, the former 5-star was more consistent and disruptive overall as a sophomore in 2022. I mean, he single-handedly beat Penn State this year. Based on reports from Ohio State this offseason, I’m banking on more reliable play from JTT — and likely a career year in his swan song season.
There’s a reason Grant is No. 3 on Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks List in 2024: He’s a 6-foot-4, 360-pound beast who’s fast enough to catch up to Penn State tailback Kaytron Allen in the open field. Along with Graham, Grant anchored Michigan’s front seven in 2023, recording 3.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries and 29 tackles. He was also disruptive with his hands, with six pass breakups at the LOS and one pick.
Downs flashed his All-American skills on day one at Alabama, as the 5-star freshman became the leader of the Tide’s defense in 2023. He led the team with 107 tackles – a first in school history. He had 16 coverage stops, including two interceptions. Downs is in the conversation for the most valuable transfer in the 2024 cycle – a real X-factor in the race for the national title.
The All-Big Ten tackle is one of the most disruptive interior defenders in all of college football and was ranked as the fourth most valuable tackle in the sport according to PFF. Graham finished the year with 18 hurries, four sacks and seven quarterback hits, leading Michigan in total hurries on the title team. With even more help from the side this season (Josaiah Stewart is back, Derrick Moore should play a larger role), Graham could see another increase in production in his final season in Ann Arbor. Crazy.
Johnson has fully lived up to his 5-star reputation, quickly becoming a lockdown corner for one of the nation’s best defenses over the past two years. In Michigan’s run to the national title, Johnson had four interceptions (including a pick-six) and eight PBUs. He is a surefire Day 1 NFL draft pick and a big reason why the Wolverines’ defense is expected to drop off significantly in 2024.
