Shutterstock
The Big 10 will be looking a lot different at the end of this season. Starting next season, the conference will welcome four teams from the PAC-12. Those teams include UCLA, USC, Oregon, and Washington. While conference realignment looks to be far from over, it feels a name like the Big 10 no longer fits the bloated conference. However, there’s still plenty to be excited about for fans of the Big 10. Here are five players to watch in the 2023 season.
5. Cooper DeJean, DB – Iowa
Cooper DeJean’s versatility is next level👏@HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/zLfKSuwCEm
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 18, 2023
The Iowa football program has made a name for itself as being the premier program for tight ends. The school has sent numerous talented tight ends to the next level. However, the Hawkeyes have a massive star on the defensive side this season. Cooper DeJean has returned for his senior season with the program. Last season, DeJean finished with 56 tackles and five interceptions. Along with his dominant play on defense, DeJean also played a vital part on special teams as a returner for the Hawkeyes. DeJean will almost certainly be a player in Defensive Player of the Year awards.
4. Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT – Penn State
Most pass-blocking snaps without a pressure allowed among Power Five tackles in Week 1⃣
💪 Olumuyiwa Fashanu – 44 pic.twitter.com/Imu8G9pGJg
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 9, 2022
It would be a list of players to watch without giving some love to the units up front. Penn State is glad to have the talents of Olumuyiwas Fashanu for another season at Beaver Stadium. The 6’6, 320-pound offensive tackle is already being touted as one of the potential top picks in the 2024 NFL Draft. Fashanu picked up numerous awards after a successful sophomore season and is looking to do the same this season.
3. Kalen King, DB – Penn State
Who is the best returning CB in the country for 2023? pic.twitter.com/om3YEupzqD
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 19, 2023
Cooper DeJean will have some competition on who will be the best DB in the conference this season. Penn State junior DB Kalen King is returning after an impressive sophomore year with the Nittany Lions. King’s three interceptions ranked him eighth overall in the category for the conference. At the same time, King ranked number one overall in passes defended. Penn State will have a ton of confidence in their secondary, with King running the show.
2. Blake Corum, RB – Michigan
Sporting News Preseason All-Americans
1st Team » @blake_corum
2nd Team » @zak_zinter #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/xCfy92LLFS— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) August 22, 2023
Arguably the best running back in the country, Michigan’s Blake Corum will undoubtedly be turning heads this season. Corum returns to a team that performed less than expected in their second College Football Playoff appearance. Now the All-American back is looking to help his team bring a National Championship back to Ann Arbor. Corum’s junior season saw the Michigan star put up career-best numbers in every category. Expect more of the same in his senior year.
1. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR – Ohio State
Marvin Harrison Jr. is the consensus WR1 on 2024 NFL Draft boards…
And the Ohio State junior already knows the 40-yard dash time he wants to put up at the NFL Combine 👀
“I think I can run high 4.3s; 4.38 would be my goal. If I get a good start I think my top-end speed will… pic.twitter.com/fsmQMBe4w5
— Next Up with Adam Breneman (@NextUpWithAdam) August 14, 2023
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Ohio State has a talented receiver that will change the aspect of every game. However, Marvin Harrison Jr. is more than just a talented receiving threat. Harrison found the endzone on 14 occasions in the 2022 season, along with numerous highlight reel catches. NFL scouts are already drooling over the chance of having the Buckeyes star join their franchise. Not only will Harrison be one of the top receivers in the country, but it should be no surprise to see his name in Heisman conversations.
