1. Michigan: Blake Corum, RB: The former Pallotti and St. Frances star was part of a two-headed monster at running back with Hassan Haskins. He rushed for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns and averaged over six yards a carry. He was named third-team All-Big Ten by the coaches. With Haskins now on the Titans, Corum becomes the number one back for the Wolverines in 2022 and the all-purpose back has already flashed big-play ability. He could be considered the best running back in the Big Ten this year and arguably one of the best in the country. PFF has Corum as the third-best back in the country heading into the season and will significantly test a Maryland front seven that has questions heading into the fall.
2. Ohio State: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR: Surprised that CJ Stroud wasn’t the pick here. While Stroud is the best quarterback in the Big Ten, Smith-Njigba might be the best receiver in all of college football. He led the Buckeyes in receiving last year in a core that included top 15 picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. Smith-Njigba also set a Rose Bowl record with 347 yards on 15 catches. With Wilson and Olave gone, he is the leader of the receiving core and will see a lot of passes come his way. Smith-Njigba will be the one everyone’s defense looks to stop when facing off against Ohio State.
3. Penn State: Joey Porter Jr., CB: The son of a former NFL pro-bowler, Porter is one of the best corners in college football. Last year he was named a third-team All-Big Ten by the coaches lining up next to Tariq Castro-Fields. With Castro-Fields now in the NFL, Porter becomes the veteran among the Penn State corners. Throwing on him will be one of the most dangerous things for a quarterback to do against the Nittany Lions.
4. Rutgers: Taj Harris, WR: After almost landing at Kentucky out of the transfer portal, Harris transferred from Syracuse during the off-season. He only played three games for the Orangeman in 2021 before entering the transfer portal. He is fifth in Syracuse school history with 151 catches. Harris becomes Rutgers’ number one receiver after Bo Melton moved on. Second-year quarterback Gavin Wimsett took the 2021 season to get acclimated as he played a reserve role and with a chance to settle into the starting job, Harris gives the young quarterback a vertical threat that can replace Melton’s production and then some.
5. Purdue: Aiden O’Connell, QB: O’Connell might be the second-best quarterback in the Big ten this year, only behind Ohio State’s CJ Stroud. He was a second-team All-Big Ten last after passing for 3712 yards and 28 touchdowns. The Boilermakers will be looking for him to build on last year after the team went 9-4 with a bowl win against Tennessee. Lia might have to keep up with O’Connell when Purdue comes to College Park.
6. SMU: Tanner Mordecai, QB: Mordecai beat out Preston Stone for the starting quarterback job in 2021 and excelled. The former Oklahoma transfer finished the season with 3628 yards and a school record 39 touchdowns. Mordecai’s numbers helped him earn second-team All-AAC. Named the 20th best quarterback in college football by PFF, Mordecai could be even better in 2022 with the starting job all locked up heading into the season. With several Power Five transfers protecting him and at his disposal, this game will be the first test for the Terps’ defense and will show how far they have come from last year.
7. Buffalo: James Patterson, LB: The former St. Vincent Pallotti earned first-team All-MAC honors last year after leading the Bulls in tackles and tackles for loss, and was tied for second on the team in sacks. He was also one of only three players to record an interception for the team. Patterson decided to return to Buffalo in 2022, taking advantage of the COVID year. James, the brother of current Washington Commanders running back Jaret Patterson, will command the full attention of the Terps' defense as the linebacker unit will be tested In the first week.
8. Wisconsin: Braelon Allen, RB: Allen was one of the top freshman running backs in college football last year. He finished third in the Big Ten with 1268 yards, rushed for 12 touchdowns, and averaged 6.8 yards a carry at only 17 years old. Now another year older and with game experience, Allen has the potential to be a big play waiting to happen at any time. Wisconsin is known for great running backs and it looks like Allen is their next one.
9. Northwestern: Peter Skoronski, OT: Skoroski could be thought of as the best tackle from the Big Ten in 2022. He was named second-team All-Big Ten by the media and a first-team selection by the coaches as a true sophomore last year. With another year of development, he might be an unmovable wall for the Wildcats in 2022. Anyone defender going against him is going to have problems.
10. Michigan State: Xavier Henderson, Safety: Henderson is another player that took advantage of the extra COVID to return to school. A team captain last year, he led the Spartans in tackles last year with 96 and added 10 tackles for loss, three sacks, and an interception. Henderson was named to the third-team All-Big Ten by the media in 2021. Heading into this year, he is someone that could make a play at any time on the field.
11. Indiana: Cam Jones, LB: Jones finished third on the team in tackles with 63 to go along with two tackles for loss, and a sack. With the Hoosier’s top two tacklers from last year gone, he becomes the top guy on the defense. Jones decided to take advantage of the COVID year to stay one more season at Indiana. A team captain the last two years, he is going to be the guy for the Hoosier’s defense.
12. Charlotte: Markees Watts, DE: Watts was the team’s leader in sacks and tackles for loss while being third on the team in tackles. His 17.5 sacks rank second in school history. Heading into his senior season, Watts is the 49ers’ best defender and the player the Terps offense needs to be careful of.
Any surprises? Anyone who you think I missed?