2025 Preseason All-Big Ten Team Revealed: Which Rising Stars Are Set to Dominate the College Football Season?

Wide receiver (2): Elijah Sarratt, Indiana; Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

• Jeremiah Smith was one of five unanimous selections and the preseason player of the year in USA TODAY Sports Network’s preseason All-Big Ten recognitions.
• Purdue was one of five teams without a vote, but two of its former players were selected as top players.

Tight end: Max Klare, Ohio StateQuarterback: Drew Allar, Penn StateLinebacker (3): Bryce Boettcher, Oregon; Aiden Fisher, Indiana; Sonny Styles, Ohio StateAaron Ferguson is assistant sports editor at the Indianapolis Star. He coordinates Big Ten polls, rankings, enterprise and more for the USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on Twitter/X at @Sports_Aaron, Instagram at a_ferg_writes, TikTok at sports_aaron, Reddit at sports_aaron and BlueSky at sportsaaron.bsky.social.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.

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.

USA TODAY Sports Network 2025 preseason All-Big Ten offense

Offensive guard (2): Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State; Emmanuel Pregnon, OregonOffensive center: Logan Jones, IowaDefensive backs (4): Caleb Downs, Ohio State; D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana; Dillon Thieneman, Oregon; (tie) Koi Perich, Minnesota and Xavier Scott, IllinoisAs Big Ten football media days kicks off in Las Vegas on Tuesday, here are the picks (italicized denotes unanimous selection).Coach of the year: James Franklin, Penn StateAll-purpose: Kaden Wetjen, IowaOffensive tackle (2): Gennings Dunker, Iowa; Isaiah World, Oregon

USA TODAY Sports Network 2025 preseason All-Big Ten defense

INDIANAPOLIS — Jeremiah Smith sealed Ohio State’s national championship win over Notre Dame by hauling in a deep fade.Kicker: Dominic Zvada, MichiganPunter: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State

USA TODAY Sports Network 2025 preseason All-Big Ten specialists

Newcomer of the year: Makhi Hughes, running back, OregonReporters 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.Running back (2): Jonah Coleman, Washington; Nicholas Singleton, Penn State

USA TODAY Sports Network 2025 preseason Big Ten awards

Defensive line (4): Zane Durant, Penn State; Gabe Jacas, Illinois; Mikail Kamara, Indiana; Matayo Uiagalelei, OregonWhen it comes to the Big Ten, the 2025 preseason buzz is crackling with the usual mix of anticipation and speculation — but one name shines a bit brighter than the rest: Jeremiah Smith. This Ohio State wide receiver, fresh off sealing a national championship in spectacular fashion, hasn’t just captured headlines; he’s been crowned the preseason Player of the Year by none other than the USA TODAY Sports Network’s expert panel. And it’s not just Smith lighting up the roster—stalwarts from Penn State, Iowa, Michigan, and Oregon join the ranks of unanimous selections, painting a vivid picture of the powerhouses gearing up for another thrilling season. Meanwhile, Purdue finds itself in a curious spot with no current votes but sporting top-tier talent who’ve earned All-Big Ten honors despite recent setbacks. As Big Ten media days break loose in Las Vegas, the stage is set — coaches, players, and fans alike are ready for a showdown that promises to test legacies and push teams to the brink. Dive into the full roster of preseason picks, key players by position, and the coaches turning heads — it’s a landscape full of possibilities, rivalries, and raw skill that might just redefine the conference’s future. LEARN MOREPlayer of the year: Jeremiah Smith, wide receiver, Ohio StateHe 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.