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The first news this morning from Big Ten Media Days is the "Players to Watch" list, which features guys likely in consideration for the all-conference teams at the end of the year. As expected from the worst team last year and picked to be the worst team this year, there are not many Boilers. Here are your picks for the conference awards and Players to watch:
Defensive Player of the Year
- Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State (13)
- Randy Gregory, Nebraska (10)
- Michael Bennett, Ohio State (4)
- Joey Bosa, Ohio State (1)
- Jake Ryan, Michigan (1)
Offensive Player of the Year
- Braxton Miller, Ohio State (21)
- Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin (5)
- Ameer Abdullah (2)
- Christian Hackenberg (1)
QUARTERBACK
Braxton Miller, Ohio State (13 votes)
Christian Hackenberg, Penn State (1)
RUNNING BACK
Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin (13)
Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska (12)
Jeremy Langford, Michigan State (2)
Tevin Coleman, Indiana; Venric Mark, Northwestern (1)
WIDE RECEIVER
Stefon Diggs, Maryland (12)
Devin Funchess, Michigan (7)
Kenny Bell, Nebraska; Shane Wynn, Indiana (4)
Tony Lippett, Michigan State (1)
TIGHT END
Jeff Heuerman, Ohio State (7)
Tyler Kroft, Rutgers (3)
Jesse James, Penn State; Maxx Williams, Minnesota (2)
CENTER
Jack Allen, Michigan State (10)
Dan Voltz, Wisconsin (2)
Austin Blythe, Iowa; Brandon Vitabile, Northwestern (1)
GUARD
Zac Epping, Minnesota (7)
Kyle Costigan, Wisconsin (6)
Jake Cotton, Nebraska; Kaleb Johnson, Rutgers (5)
Pat Elfein, Ohio State (3)
Jordan Walsh, Iowa; Josh Campion, Minnesota (1)
TACKLE
Brandon Scherff, Iowa (14)
Rob Havenstein, Wisconsin (9)
Donovan Smith, Penn State; Jason Spriggs, Indiana (2)
Keith Lumpkin, Rutgers (1)
KICKER
Michael Geiger, Michigan State (11)
Brad Craddock, Maryland (2)
Sam Ficken, Penn State (1)
***
DEFENSIVE LINE
Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State (14)
Randy Gregory, Nebraska (14)
Michael Bennett, Ohio State (10)
Joey Bosa, Ohio State (9)
Carl Davis, Iowa (6)
Andre Monroe, Maryland; Ryan Russell, Purdue (1)
LINEBACKER
Jake Ryan, Michigan (13)
Chi Chi Ariguzo, Northwestern (10)
Taiwan Jones, Michigan State (9)
Mike Hull, Penn State (6)
Steve Longa, Rutgers (2)
Mason Monheim, Illinois; Desmond Morgan, Michigan; David Santos, Nebraska; Curtis Grant, Ohio State (1)
DEFENSIVE BACK
Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State (14)
Blake Countess, Michigan (9)
Ibraheim Campbell, Northwestern (8)
Trae Waynes, Michigan State (7)
Jordan Lucas, Penn State (5)
Doran Grant, Ohio State (3)
Desmond King, Iowa; Corey Cooper, Nebraska; Adrian Amos, Penn State (2)
Earnest Thomas, Illinois; John Lowdermilk, Iowa; William Likely, Maryland; Eric Murray, Minnesota (1)
PUNTER
Mike Sadler, Michigan State (9)
Cameron Johnston, Ohio State (4)
Peter Mortell, Minnesota (1)
***
SUPERLATIVES
COACH OF THE YEAR
Urban Meyer, Ohio State (6)
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State; Gary Andersen, Wisconsin (3)
Kirk Ferentz, Iowa; Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern (1)
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Braxton Miller, Ohio State (11)
Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin (2)
Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska (1)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State (7)
Randy Gregory, Nebraska (5)
Kurtis Drummond, Michigan State; Joey Bosa, Ohio State (1)
FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan (11)
Johnnie Dixon, Ohio State; Raekwon McMillian, Ohio State; Gelen Robinson, Purdue (1)
So yeah, Ryan Russell gets one vote as a defensive lineman to watch and Gelen Robinson gets one vote for possible Freshman of the Year. Prove them wrong, fellas!