USA TODAY Sports Network 2025 preseason All-Big Ten college football team, awards
The quarterback will change for the Buckeyes but Smith is an immediate threat as one of college football's best playmakers. He was picked by a select group of USA TODAY Sports Network writers to win preseason Big Ten Player of the Year.
He was one of five unanimous selections. Others included: Iowa center Logan Jones, Penn State offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and Michigan kicker Dominic Zvada.
Reporters representing the bicoastal conference named their top players by position, specialists, picked preseason awards and ranked order of finish. Thirteen of the 18 teams had a player receiving a vote. Programs not represented included Wisconsin, Nebraska, Rutgers, Maryland and Purdue, which was the consensus last-place team in predicted order of finish. And, as the transfer portal era would have it, two former Boilermakers — safety Dillon Thieneman and tight end Max Klare — made the All-Big Ten team.
Four different coaches were on ballots, but it was Penn State's James Franklin who was selected Big Ten Coach of the Year. His Nittany Lions were the writers' pick to win the Big Ten, a breakthrough occurrence since the 2016 title, their lone one during the division era. Yet they could join their former division rivals, Ohio State and Michigan, in leading the Big Ten to a third straight national championship.
As Big Ten football media days kicks off in Las Vegas on Tuesday, here are the picks (italicized denotes unanimous selection).
Quarterback: Drew Allar, Penn State
Running back (2): Jonah Coleman, Washington; Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Wide receiver (2): Elijah Sarratt, Indiana; Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Tight end: Max Klare, Ohio State
Offensive tackle (2): Gennings Dunker, Iowa; Isaiah World, Oregon
Offensive guard (2): Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State; Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon
Offensive center: Logan Jones, Iowa
Defensive line (4): Zane Durant, Penn State; Gabe Jacas, Illinois; Mikail Kamara, Indiana; Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon
Linebacker (3): Bryce Boettcher, Oregon; Aiden Fisher, Indiana; Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Defensive backs (4): Caleb Downs, Ohio State; D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana; Dillon Thieneman, Oregon; (tie) Koi Perich, Minnesota and Xavier Scott, Illinois
Kicker: Dominic Zvada, Michigan
Punter: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
All-purpose: Kaden Wetjen, Iowa
Player of the year: Jeremiah Smith, wide receiver, Ohio State
Coach of the year: James Franklin, Penn State
Newcomer of the year: Makhi Hughes, running back, Oregon
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Paul Finebaum reacts to Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith being called best in college football
Sometimes you hear things you just can't believe, especially when a precedent has been set. ESPN's Paul Finebaum's rise to fame came from being the mouthpiece of the SEC. At times it's warranted, and at other times it feels like a schtick to how he plays things up and riles up opposing fanbases not drinking sweet tea and eating grits. And while Finebaum has given Ohio State credit in the past, more often than not, teams and players performing athletic feats in the game of football in the south often get the benefit of the doubt. Color me and a lot of others surprised then by the way Finebaum reacted to the question of whether or not Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith was the best in college football. ESPN's unofficial SEC mascot didn't even hesitate when asked the question on a segment of "Get Up" on the "worldwide leader." 'That he is, he's so good, Greeny. You know, doing the draft, where he would have gone last year, it's incredible he has to stay in college with all the convoluted rules, 'Finebaum said. 'The biggest issue they had last year with Chip Kelly calling the plays was getting him the ball enough. Remember, in the Michigan game. He didn't get the ball enough in the Texas game. I think that will change this year, but he is without a doubt the best player in the game.' I wouldn't say Finebaum's response is shocking, but it might be a little surprising. However, when you have a talent like Smith, who almost every national media member believes is the best player in college football, sometimes it's so obvious that going against it just doesn't make any sense. Heck, even Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore was drinking the scarlet and gray colored Kool-Aid when asked about Smith at Big Ten football media days. Finebaum does bring up a good point, though. Can the Ohio State coaching staff and new quarterback get Smith the ball enough in some of the most important games to pull out wins that could mean the difference between a Big Ten and College Football Playoff national championship, and simply having another really good year? Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
2027 4-star Edge places Texas A&M in his Top 12 program list
Texas A&M's 2027 recruiting class lost its only commitment after four-star tight end George Lamons decommitted last week, which isn't surprising given the early state of his announcement, coupled with his ascending status as a likely five-star prospect by this time next year. This is just part of the process, and head coach Mike Elko and his staff are ready for any sudden changes. On Saturday, it was revealed that 2027 four-star edge Krew Jones, from Millville, Utah, has placed Texas A&M in his top 12 program list, joining Ohio State, Oregon, Florida State, Nebraska, USC, Washington, UCLA, Tennessee, Stanford, BYU, and Oklahoma. This is early in the process, but after landing 2025 five-star wide receiver Jerome Myles and his high school quarterback, 2026 four-star Helaman Casuga from Utah, the Aggies are beginning to develop a recruiting pipeline in the state. Standing at 6'5" and nearly 220 pounds, Jones is one of the top prep pass rushers in the country, recording 148 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, and 22.5 sacks during his first two varsity seasons, including 93 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and six pass breakups during his 2024 sophomore campaign. Again, this is just the start of Jones' recruiting process, as next summer will include a host of official visits, which could include Texas A&M if the staff develops a strong relationship this fall, similar to when the Aggies landed 2026 four-star wide receiver Aaron Gregory and four-star edge Jordan Carter, who both committed early last October. According to 247Sports, Jones is currently positioned as the 159th-ranked prospect in the 2027 class, the 20th-ranked edge, and the No. 1-ranked prospect in Utah. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Former Ohio State quarterback returns to Jets practice after injury scare
Earlier this week, former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields was carted off the field at Jets practice with an apparent foot injury. It was concerning, especially since the Jets have gone all-in on Fields as the starter this year. It was especially concerning for Fields because it might be his last chance to become a franchise quarterback in the NFL after some mixed results in Chicago and Pittsburgh. However, there is some good news on that front because Fields returned to practice just a day later on Friday. The official injury update is that it was just a dislocated toe -- which would be a big deal for you or me, but not so much for the prognosis of Fields continuing to get reps and eventually being in a position to start on opening day. Fields did not participate 100% in practice on Friday, but did throw some balls on the side, and is simply day-to-day on his return in the capacity needed. There are a lot of people rooting for Fields to be a difference-maker for the Jets, including many Ohio State fans. The talent is there; it's just always seemed like the right fit for Fields to show what he can do. Many Jets fans are also bullish on what the former Heisman finalist can do in the Big Apple, so the fact that the injury isn't serious is a very good thing for all rooting interests. Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.
