Per ESPN. 15 tackles, 2 INTs, and 1 TD through 2 games.
http://insider.espn.com/blog/bigten...r-ohio-state-claims-top-spots-after-two-weeks
With just two weeks of games in the books, the race for individual awards in the Big Ten is only beginning. But that won't stop us from giving our early looks at who is leading for offensive and defensive player of the year honors in the league.
As the season moves forward and we have more information, we'll add other categories like top freshman, coach of the year, etc. But for now, we present our votes on the two major trophies, and we're unanimous on the top picks:
Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year
Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett (five first-place votes): Barrett has thrown for 498 yards and six touchdowns with one interception while completing 66 percent of his passes for the Big Ten's top-scoring offense. He has also run for three scores.
2. Michigan QB Wilton Speight: The new Wolverines signal-caller has been highly impressive, completing 70 percent of his passes and throwing seven touchdowns since tossing an interception on the his first attempt of the season. We just need to see it against better competition.
3. Iowa QB C.J. Beathard: Beathard has been throwing lasers early on for the Hawkeyes, looking as sharp as ever now that he's healthier than a year ago. He has completed 66.7 percent of his passes and has no interceptions.
T-4: Ohio State H-back Curtis Samuel: The Buckeyes' do-it-all player is second in the league in all-purpose yards and leads the Big Ten in catches and receiving yards.
T-4: Penn State RB Saquon Barkley: He has yet to electrify toward his full potential, perhaps, but Barkley leads the league with six total touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving) while averaging 95 yards per game on the ground.
Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year
1. Ohio State S Malik Hooker (five first-place votes): No one would have guessed Hooker would have been here through two weeks. But the redshirt sophomore has dazzled with his playmaking ability. He already has three interceptions and has scored on one of them.
2. Michigan LB Jabrill Peppers: Here's a more predictable name. Peppers is excelling in his new hybrid linebacker role, having registered four tackles for loss so far.
3. Ohio State CB Marshon Lattimore: Another young Buckeye excelling in a surprisingly outstanding secondary, Lattimore was the Walter Camp national defensive player of the week after his two-interception, one-defensive-touchdown performance against Tulsa.
4. Michigan State DT Malik McDowell: He had a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry in the opener against Furman before a bye week. A big opportunity looms at Notre Dame this weekend.
5. Nebraska S Kieron Williams: Another early-season surprise, the first-time Cornhuskers starter has 15 tackles and a pair of interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown last week versus Wyoming.
Also receiving votes: Iowa CB Desmond King, Illinois DE Dawuane Smoot.
http://insider.espn.com/blog/bigten...r-ohio-state-claims-top-spots-after-two-weeks
With just two weeks of games in the books, the race for individual awards in the Big Ten is only beginning. But that won't stop us from giving our early looks at who is leading for offensive and defensive player of the year honors in the league.
As the season moves forward and we have more information, we'll add other categories like top freshman, coach of the year, etc. But for now, we present our votes on the two major trophies, and we're unanimous on the top picks:
Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year
Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett (five first-place votes): Barrett has thrown for 498 yards and six touchdowns with one interception while completing 66 percent of his passes for the Big Ten's top-scoring offense. He has also run for three scores.
2. Michigan QB Wilton Speight: The new Wolverines signal-caller has been highly impressive, completing 70 percent of his passes and throwing seven touchdowns since tossing an interception on the his first attempt of the season. We just need to see it against better competition.
3. Iowa QB C.J. Beathard: Beathard has been throwing lasers early on for the Hawkeyes, looking as sharp as ever now that he's healthier than a year ago. He has completed 66.7 percent of his passes and has no interceptions.
T-4: Ohio State H-back Curtis Samuel: The Buckeyes' do-it-all player is second in the league in all-purpose yards and leads the Big Ten in catches and receiving yards.
T-4: Penn State RB Saquon Barkley: He has yet to electrify toward his full potential, perhaps, but Barkley leads the league with six total touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving) while averaging 95 yards per game on the ground.
Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year
1. Ohio State S Malik Hooker (five first-place votes): No one would have guessed Hooker would have been here through two weeks. But the redshirt sophomore has dazzled with his playmaking ability. He already has three interceptions and has scored on one of them.
2. Michigan LB Jabrill Peppers: Here's a more predictable name. Peppers is excelling in his new hybrid linebacker role, having registered four tackles for loss so far.
3. Ohio State CB Marshon Lattimore: Another young Buckeye excelling in a surprisingly outstanding secondary, Lattimore was the Walter Camp national defensive player of the week after his two-interception, one-defensive-touchdown performance against Tulsa.
4. Michigan State DT Malik McDowell: He had a tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry in the opener against Furman before a bye week. A big opportunity looms at Notre Dame this weekend.
5. Nebraska S Kieron Williams: Another early-season surprise, the first-time Cornhuskers starter has 15 tackles and a pair of interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown last week versus Wyoming.
Also receiving votes: Iowa CB Desmond King, Illinois DE Dawuane Smoot.
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