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Power rankings of every Big Ten football position group for the 2024 season

The 2024 Big Ten football season is drawing closer by the day. At this point, just five weeks from now, college football will have wrapped up Week 0 action and all eyes will be on a loaded Week 1 schedule.

Interested Big Ten fans will be focused on the performance of new member USC against a top-10 opponent in LSU. Furthermore, Week 1 will feature many Big Ten non-conference victories.

Related: EA Sports College Football 25 Overall Ratings for Every Big Ten Football Team

There’s still a lot to do before then, including conference media days next week in Indianapolis, Indiana. Before that event begins, we’ve taken a comprehensive look at everything fans need to know about the upcoming Big Ten football season.

That preview work includes full team previews for all 18 affiliated programs, plus full rankings from 1 to 18 of every position group on both sides of the court.

Team Previews: Indiana Hoosiers — Purdue Boilermakers — Illinois Fighting Illini — Northwestern Wildcats — Minnesota Golden Gophers — Nebraska Cornhuskers — Iowa Hawkeyes — Rutgers Scarlet Knights — Maryland Terrapins — Michigan State Spartans — USC Trojans — UCLA Bruins — Washington Huskies — Michigan Wolverines

Position Previews: Quarterbacks — Running Backs — Wide Receivers — Attacking lines — Tight ends — Defensive Line — Linebackers — Cornerbacks — Safeties

For those who are only interested in the results and not the full rankings with explanations above, here is a full summary of each of our positional previews. Everyone will decipher that Oregon and Ohio State are both well-positioned at the start of the season:

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws during warmups before the Oregon Ducks’ Spring Game on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Credit: Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard-USA TODAY NETWORK

Nov 4, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson (32) runs toward Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive back Flip Dixon (10) during the first half of the NCAA football game at SHI Stadium. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK

Full rankings

  1. Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
  2. Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen (Penn State)
  3. Jordan James, Noah Whittington (Oregon)
  4. Kyle Monangai, Samuel Brown V (Rutgers)
  5. Donovan Edwards, Kalel Mullings (Michigan)
  6. Leshon Williams, Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)
  7. At Mellusi, Tawee Walker (Wisconsin)
  8. Darius Taylor, Sieh Bangura (Minnesota)
  9. Jonah Coleman, Cameron Davis (Washington)
  10. Jo’quavious Marks, Quinten Joyner (USC)
  11. Nathan Carter, Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams (Michigan State)
  12. Devin Mockobee, Reggie Love III (Purdue)
  13. Emmett Johnson, Gabe Ervin Jr. (Nebraska)
  14. Kaden Feagin, Josh McCray (Illinois)
  15. Roman Hemby, Nolan Ray (Maryland)
  16. TJ Harden, Keegan Jones (UCLA)
  17. Judge Ellison, Kaelon Black (Indiana)
  18. Cam Porter, Joseph Himon II (Northwest)

Oregon Green Team wide receiver Tez Johnson carries the ball during the Oregon Ducks’ Spring Game on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. Credit: Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard-USA TODAY NETWORK

Full rankings

  1. Evan Stewart, Traeshon Holden, Tez Johnson (Oregon)
  2. Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate (Ohio State)
  3. Duce Robinson, Ja’Kobi Lane, Zachariah Branch, Makai Lemon (USC)
  4. Julian Fleming, Harrison Wallace, Kaden Saunders (Penn State)
  5. Will Pauling, Bryson Green, CJ Williams (Wisconsin)
  6. Jeremiah Hunter, Denzel Boston, Giles Jackson (Washington)
  7. Elijah Sarratt, Donaven McCulley, Myles Price (Indiana)
  8. Semaj Morgan, Frederick Moore, Tyler Morris (Michigan)
  9. J. Michael Sturdivant, Titus Mokiao-Atimalala, Logan Loya (UCLA)
  10. Kaden Prather, Tai Felton, Braeden Wisloski (Maryland)
  11. Daniel Jackson, Le’Meke Brockington, Elijah Spencer (Minnesota)
  12. Zakhari Franklin, Pat Bryant, Mario Sanders II (Illinois)
  13. Jahmal Banks, Isaiah Neyor, Jaylen Lloyd (Nebraska)
  14. Dymere Miller, Naseim Brantley, Christian Dremel (Rutgers)
  15. Jaron Glover, Montorie Foster Jr., Alante Brown (Michigan State)
  16. CJ Smith, Jahmal Edrine, Andrew Sowinski (Purdue)
  17. AJ Henning, Bryce Kirtz, Calvin Johnson II (Northwest)
  18. Kaleb Brown, Seth Anderson (Iowa)

Michigan tight end Colston Loveland makes a catch against Washington during the second half of UM’s 34-13 victory in the College Football Playoff national championship game in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK

Full rankings

  1. Colston Loveland (Michigan)
  2. Terrance Ferguson (Oregon)
  3. Luke Lachey (Iowa)
  4. Tyler Warren (Penn State)
  5. Thomas Fidone (Nebraska)
  6. Jack Velling (Michigan State)
  7. Zach Horton (Indiana)
  8. Moliki Matavao (UCLA)
  9. McReemeer (USC)
  10. Cole Rusk (Illinois)
  11. Gee Scott Jr. (Ohio State)
  12. Quentin Moore (Washington)
  13. Max Klare (Purdue)
  14. Preston Howard (Maryland)
  15. Thomas Gordon (Northwest)
  16. Tucker Ashcraft (Wisconsin)
  17. Nick Kallerup (Minnesota)
  18. Kenny Fletcher (Rutgers)

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive lineman Ajani Cornelius (65) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Full rankings

  1. Oregon ducks
  2. Ohio State Buckeyes
  3. Wisconsin Badgers
  4. Minnesota Golden Gophers
  5. Penn State Nittany Lions
  6. Michigan Wolverines
  7. Iowa Hawkeyes
  8. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
  9. Illinois battles Illini
  10. Corn Pickers from Nebraska
  11. Maryland turtles
  12. Purdue Boilermakers
  13. Indiana Hoosiers
  14. USC Trojans
  15. UCLA Bruins
  16. Washington Huskies
  17. Michigan State Spartans
  18. Northwestern wild cats

Sep 2, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end JT Tuimoloau (44) celebrates a tackle by Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Tayven Jackson (2) during the NCAA football game at Indiana University Memorial Stadium. Ohio State won 23-3. Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK

Full rankings

  1. Jack Sawyer, Ty Hamilton, Tyleik Williams, JT Tuimoloau (Ohio State)
  2. Rayshaun Benny, Kenneth Grant, Mason Graham (Michigan)
  3. Ty Robinson, Nash Hutmacher, Jimari Butler (Nebraska)
  4. Deontae Craig, Aaron Graves, Yahya Black, Ethan Hurkett (Iowa)
  5. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant, J-Thomas Dvon, Abdul Carter (Penn State)
  6. Jordan Burch, Derrick Harmon, Jamaree Caldwell (Oregon)
  7. Quashon Fuller, Jordan Phillips, Tommy Akingbesote (Maryland)
  8. Aaron Lewis, Kyonte Hamilton, Malcolm Ray, Wesley Bailey (Rutgers)
  9. Jah Joyner, Deven Eastern, Jalen Logan-Redding, Danny Striggow (Minnesota)
  10. Richie Hagarty, Najee Story, Carmine Bastone, Jaylen Pate (Northwest)
  11. Mikail Kamara, CJ West, James Carpenter (Indiana)
  12. Devin Aupiu, Jay Toia, Keanu Williams (UCLA)
  13. Isaiah Ward, Sebastian Valdez, Jacob Bandes, Russell Davis II (Washington)
  14. Anthony Lucas, Bear Alexander, Nate Clifton, Jamil Muhammad (USC)
  15. James Thompson Jr., Curtis Neal, Ben Barten (Wisconsin)
  16. Quindarius Dunnigan, Maverick Hansen, D’Quan Douse, Khris Bogle (Michigan State)
  17. Will Heldt, Cole Brevard, Joe Anderson, CJ Madden (Purdue)
  18. Alex Bray, TeRah Edwards, Dennis Briggs Jr. (Illinois)

Oct 7, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jay Higgins (34) and defensive back Xavier Nwankpa (1) and defensive back Quinn Schulte (30) react after an interception by Higgins against the Purdue Boilermakers during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Full rankings

  1. Nick Jackson, Jay Higgins (Iowa)
  2. Josaiah Stewart, Jaishawn Barham, Ernest Hausmann, Derrick Moore (Michigan)
  3. Tony Rojas, Kobe King, Dominic DeLuca (Penn State)
  4. Matayo Uiagalelei, Jestin Jacobs, Jeffrey Bassa (Oregon)
  5. CJ Hicks, Cody Simon (Ohio State)
  6. John Pius, Jake Chaney, Jaheim Thomas, Darryl Peterson (Wisconsin)
  7. MJ Sherman, Javin Wright, John Bullock (Nebraska)
  8. Danny Striggow, Cody Lindenberg, Maverick Baranowski, Joey Gerlach (Minnesota)
  9. Mohamed Toure, Tyreem Powell (Rutgers)
  10. Alphonzo Tuputala, Carson Bruener (Washington)
  11. Lanell Carr Jr., Aiden Fisher, Jailin Walker, Amare Ferrell (Indiana)
  12. Cal Haladay, Jordan Turner, Jordan Hall (Michigan State)
  13. Gabe Jacas, Kenenna Odeluga, Dylan Rosiek, Seth Coleman (Illinois)
  14. Mac Uihlein, Xander Mueller, Kenny Soares Jr. (Northwest)
  15. Jacob Busic, Kain Medrano, Oluwafemi Oladejo (UCLA)
  16. Jamil Muhammad, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Mason Cobb (USC)
  17. Donnell Brown, Caleb Wheatland, Ruben Hyppolite II, Kellan Wyatt (Maryland)
  18. Yanni Karlaftis, Kydran Jenkins (Purdue)

Sep 2, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (10) lines up during the NCAA football game at Indiana University Memorial Stadium. Ohio State won 23-3. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK

Full rankings

  1. Denzel Burke, Davison Igbinosun, Jordan Hancock (Ohio State)
  2. Will Johnson, Jyaire Hill, Ja’Den McBurrows (Michigan)
  3. Kam Alexander, Jabbar Muhammad, Brandon Johnson (Oregon)
  4. Deshaun Lee, Jermari Harris, Sebastian Castro (Iowa)
  5. Ricardo Hallman, Nyzier Fourqurean, RJ Delancy (Wisconsin)
  6. Cam Miller, AJ Harris, Jaylen Reed (Penn State)
  7. Ephesians Prysock, Elijah Jackson, Jordan Shaw (Washington)
  8. Tommi Hill, Marques Buford Jr., Malcolm Hartzog (Nebraska)
  9. Robert Longerbeam, Eric Rogers, Desmond Igbinosun (Rutgers)
  10. Jalen Huskey, Kevis Thomas, Glendon Miller (Maryland)
  11. Justin Walley, Ethan Robinson, Jack Henderson (Minnesota)
  12. John Humphrey, Jacobe Covington, Jaylin Smith (USC)
  13. Theran Johnson, Ore Adeyi, Robert Fitzgerald (Northwest)
  14. Nyland Green, Markevious Brown, Kyndrich Breedlove (Purdue)
  15. D’Angelo Ponds, Jamari Sharpe (Indiana)
  16. Terrance Brooks, Tyler Strain, Xavier Scott (Illinois)

Mar 5, 2024; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) stretches with wide receiver Kojo Antwi (14) during the first of spring practice at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK

Full rankings

  1. Caleb Downs, Lathan Ransom (Ohio State)
  2. Hunter Wohler, Kamo’i Latu (Wisconsin)
  3. Kobe Savage, Tysheem Johnson (Oregon)
  4. Xavier Nwankpa, Quinn Schulte (Iowa)
  5. Dillon Thieneman, Antonio Stevens (Purdue)
  6. Makari Paige, Jaden Mangham (Michigan)
  7. Isaac Gifford, Marques Buford Jr. (Nebraska)
  8. Kevin Winston Jr., Zakee Wheatley (Penn State)
  9. Flip Dixon, Shaquan Loyal (Rutgers)
  10. Akili Arnold, Kamari Ramsey (USC)
  11. Devin Turner, Coco Azema (Northwest)
  12. Dante Trader Jr., Rex Fleming (Maryland)
  13. Kamren Fabiculanan, Makell Esteen (Washington)
  14. Shawn Asbury, Josh Sanguinetti (Indiana)
  15. Bryan Addison, Ramon Henderson (UCLA)
  16. Armorion Smith, Dillon Tatum (Michigan State)
  17. Matthew Bailey, Miles Scott (Illinois)
  18. Aidan Gousby, Coleman Bryson (Minnesota)

Nov 18, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning (center) leads quarterback Bo Nix (10) and Ty Thompson (13) onto the field before the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Full rankings

  1. Oregon
  2. State of Ohio
  3. Penn State
  4. Michigan
  5. USC
  6. Nebraska
  7. Wisconsin
  8. Iowa
  9. Washington
  10. Maryland
  11. Rutgers
  12. State of Michigan
  13. Illinois
  14. Minnesota
  15. Northwestern
  16. UCLA
  17. Indiana
  18. Purdue

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