Link: http://www.espn.com/blog/bigten/pos...tates-defense-lead-preseason-all-big-ten-list
QB - Trace McSorley, Penn State
Thanks to a stellar performance in the Rose Bowl and the promise of more to come, McSorley just edges out Ohio State's J.T. Barrett. The Buckeye captain will have a chance to make up ground at the helm of an offense that should now move as fast as McSorley's.
RB - Saquon Barkley, Penn State
The junior star might be the most explosive player in the country this season, let alone the conference. His off-the-charts lower body strength and good vision help Barkley turn routine plays into highlight-reel moments.
RB - Justin Jackson, Northwestern
No shortage of options at running back in the Big Ten again, but Jackson gets the nod here over the likes of Akrum Wadley, Mike Weber and LJ Scott because of his long track record of success.
WR - Nick Westbrook, Indiana
Westbrook and Simmie Cobbs give the Hoosiers the best established pair of receivers in the conference this season after a lot of turnover at the position. Westbrook came up just shy of 1,000 receiving yards in 2016 and has as good a shot as anyone to top that mark this fall.
WR - Malik Turner, Illinois
Turner caught 48 passes for 712 yards last season despite the injury bug biting the Illini quarterbacks. The receiver position on this list is wide open, so don't be surprised if a new face (like Turner's teammate Mike Dudek) quickly works himself into the conversation here.
TE - Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
After posting comparable stat lines last season, Fumagalli barely nudges out Penn State's Mike Gesicki for this spot. They both have the potential to end the season as Mackey Award finalists, but Fumagalli got the edge here because of how big of a role he'll play in Wisconsin's passing game.
OT - Mason Cole, Michigan
Cole appears to be bumping back out to the edge of the line after spending a season at center. The three-year starter and captain is the Wolverines' most versatile and athletic lineman.
OT - Nick Gates, Nebraska
Gates returns to Lincoln with 23 starts under his belt to lead an offensive line that allowed only 15 sacks last season, the best mark in the Big Ten.
OG - Sean Welsh, Iowa
Welsh has missed only one game since taking the field for the Hawkeyes as a redshirt freshman in 2014. The senior has been a consistent force for a consistent group.
OG - Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin
It wouldn't be right to put together an All-Big Ten line without at least one Badger. Benzschawel (6-foot-6, 317 pounds) is a worthy addition to the list after starting all 14 games at guard last season.
C - Billy Price, Ohio State
Last season the Buckeyes moved Pat Elflein from guard to center and he won the Rimington Award. Price, an All-American guard as a junior, has the potential to follow the same path.
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DE - Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State
The reigning Big Ten defensive lineman of the year is a versatile cornerstone of what could be the deepest defensive line in the nation this season. He had eight sacks last season.
DE - Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
There is no shortage of options for the Buckeyes here, but we'll go with Hubbard over budding sophomore Nick Bosa (a freshman All-American in 2016) because of his athleticism and his ability to keep offenses guessing.
DT - Maurice Hurst, Michigan
Perhaps the most explosive interior player in the conference this season, Hurst and sophomore Rashan Gary will give a lot of offensive lines headaches when they set up next to each other.
DT - Steven Richardson, Minnesota
The senior had 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks while serving as the foundation of the Gophers defensive line last season. He'll be the leader of that group again this season.
LB - Josey Jewell, Iowa
Speed, power and 124 tackles last season made Jewell an obvious pick. He'll be the linchpin of a strong front seven.
LB - Tegray Scales, Indiana
No player in the country was more disruptive than Scales last season with his 23.5 tackles for loss. The senior is back after thriving in Tom Allen's system.
LB - Jerome Baker, Ohio State
Baker might be the best athlete on this loaded defense. He has a penchant for making big plays when they're needed.
S - Marcus Allen, Penn State
Allen has become the emotional leader of Penn State's defense after recording a team-high 110 tackles in 2016. He leads a young secondary that could have a big impact on the conference championship race.
S - Godwin Igwebuike, Northwestern
One of the country's top open-field tacklers, Igwebuike is back for his senior season. He had 108 tackles as a junior.
CB - Rashard Fant, Indiana
The Georgia native broke up 39 passes over the past two seasons. Sooner or later, quarterbacks are going to stop looking his way.
CB - Denzel Ward, Ohio State
Ward and company have to help replace three high NFL draft picks from the defensive backfield. As part of a three-man rotation at cornerback in 2016, he has the experience and the potential to follow in the footsteps of his former teammates.
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K - Emmit Carpenter, Minnesota
Carpenter missed only two field goals last season and made all 10 of this tries from 40 yards or longer. He'll have a good chance to repeat as the conference's kicker of the year in 2017.
P - Blake Gillikin, Penn State
As a freshman, Gillikin averaged 42.8 yards per punt last season, earning a spot on our Freshman All-America team. His four kicks in the Rose Bowl went for an average of 50.8 yards.
KR/PR - Janarion Grant, Rutgers
Grant missed most of last season after breaking his ankle in September, but returns as one of the best all-purpose players in the country. He is one touchdown away (he has eight) from tying an NCAA record for most combined scores on kick and punt returns.
QB - Trace McSorley, Penn State
Thanks to a stellar performance in the Rose Bowl and the promise of more to come, McSorley just edges out Ohio State's J.T. Barrett. The Buckeye captain will have a chance to make up ground at the helm of an offense that should now move as fast as McSorley's.
RB - Saquon Barkley, Penn State
The junior star might be the most explosive player in the country this season, let alone the conference. His off-the-charts lower body strength and good vision help Barkley turn routine plays into highlight-reel moments.
RB - Justin Jackson, Northwestern
No shortage of options at running back in the Big Ten again, but Jackson gets the nod here over the likes of Akrum Wadley, Mike Weber and LJ Scott because of his long track record of success.
WR - Nick Westbrook, Indiana
Westbrook and Simmie Cobbs give the Hoosiers the best established pair of receivers in the conference this season after a lot of turnover at the position. Westbrook came up just shy of 1,000 receiving yards in 2016 and has as good a shot as anyone to top that mark this fall.
WR - Malik Turner, Illinois
Turner caught 48 passes for 712 yards last season despite the injury bug biting the Illini quarterbacks. The receiver position on this list is wide open, so don't be surprised if a new face (like Turner's teammate Mike Dudek) quickly works himself into the conversation here.
TE - Troy Fumagalli, Wisconsin
After posting comparable stat lines last season, Fumagalli barely nudges out Penn State's Mike Gesicki for this spot. They both have the potential to end the season as Mackey Award finalists, but Fumagalli got the edge here because of how big of a role he'll play in Wisconsin's passing game.
OT - Mason Cole, Michigan
Cole appears to be bumping back out to the edge of the line after spending a season at center. The three-year starter and captain is the Wolverines' most versatile and athletic lineman.
OT - Nick Gates, Nebraska
Gates returns to Lincoln with 23 starts under his belt to lead an offensive line that allowed only 15 sacks last season, the best mark in the Big Ten.
OG - Sean Welsh, Iowa
Welsh has missed only one game since taking the field for the Hawkeyes as a redshirt freshman in 2014. The senior has been a consistent force for a consistent group.
OG - Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin
It wouldn't be right to put together an All-Big Ten line without at least one Badger. Benzschawel (6-foot-6, 317 pounds) is a worthy addition to the list after starting all 14 games at guard last season.
C - Billy Price, Ohio State
Last season the Buckeyes moved Pat Elflein from guard to center and he won the Rimington Award. Price, an All-American guard as a junior, has the potential to follow the same path.
==============================
DE - Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State
The reigning Big Ten defensive lineman of the year is a versatile cornerstone of what could be the deepest defensive line in the nation this season. He had eight sacks last season.
DE - Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
There is no shortage of options for the Buckeyes here, but we'll go with Hubbard over budding sophomore Nick Bosa (a freshman All-American in 2016) because of his athleticism and his ability to keep offenses guessing.
DT - Maurice Hurst, Michigan
Perhaps the most explosive interior player in the conference this season, Hurst and sophomore Rashan Gary will give a lot of offensive lines headaches when they set up next to each other.
DT - Steven Richardson, Minnesota
The senior had 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks while serving as the foundation of the Gophers defensive line last season. He'll be the leader of that group again this season.
LB - Josey Jewell, Iowa
Speed, power and 124 tackles last season made Jewell an obvious pick. He'll be the linchpin of a strong front seven.
LB - Tegray Scales, Indiana
No player in the country was more disruptive than Scales last season with his 23.5 tackles for loss. The senior is back after thriving in Tom Allen's system.
LB - Jerome Baker, Ohio State
Baker might be the best athlete on this loaded defense. He has a penchant for making big plays when they're needed.
S - Marcus Allen, Penn State
Allen has become the emotional leader of Penn State's defense after recording a team-high 110 tackles in 2016. He leads a young secondary that could have a big impact on the conference championship race.
S - Godwin Igwebuike, Northwestern
One of the country's top open-field tacklers, Igwebuike is back for his senior season. He had 108 tackles as a junior.
CB - Rashard Fant, Indiana
The Georgia native broke up 39 passes over the past two seasons. Sooner or later, quarterbacks are going to stop looking his way.
CB - Denzel Ward, Ohio State
Ward and company have to help replace three high NFL draft picks from the defensive backfield. As part of a three-man rotation at cornerback in 2016, he has the experience and the potential to follow in the footsteps of his former teammates.
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K - Emmit Carpenter, Minnesota
Carpenter missed only two field goals last season and made all 10 of this tries from 40 yards or longer. He'll have a good chance to repeat as the conference's kicker of the year in 2017.
P - Blake Gillikin, Penn State
As a freshman, Gillikin averaged 42.8 yards per punt last season, earning a spot on our Freshman All-America team. His four kicks in the Rose Bowl went for an average of 50.8 yards.
KR/PR - Janarion Grant, Rutgers
Grant missed most of last season after breaking his ankle in September, but returns as one of the best all-purpose players in the country. He is one touchdown away (he has eight) from tying an NCAA record for most combined scores on kick and punt returns.
