by Sean Szymczak
Big Ten football returns in just a few short days. Before the season kicks off, The Floor Slap predicts which player will win every award and who will lead the confrerence in every statistic in 2023.
Award Winners
The Chicago Tribune Silver Football: Marvin Harrison Jr (Ohio State)
Marvin Harrison and Caleb Williams are far and away the best players in college football in 2023. No matter who wins the QB job, I trust that Harrison will get the volume he needs to put up elite stats and show his value.
Offensive Player of the Year: Marvin Harrison Jr (Ohio State)
Defensive Player of the Year: Jer’Zhan Newton (Illinois)
Since 2001, every Big Ten DPOTY winner except for one was either a linebacker or defensive lineman (the one exception being Jabrill Peppers in 2016 who played all over the field). There are a lot of great linebackers and defensive linemen in the Big Ten this season, but I’ll pick the all-around best defensive lineman in the conference for this award.
Freshman of the Year: Princewill Umanmielen (Nebraska)
Princewill Umanmielen was one of the highest-rated defensive line prospects in the 2023 class. At 6’4″ 240lbs, he already has the size needed to make an impact for the Cornhuskers. He enrolled early in order to battle for a starting spot – something that seems to be coming to fruition this fall. I think he will emerge as one of Nebraska’s best pass rushers and be the most dominant freshman in the Big Ten.
Coach of the Year: James Franklin (Penn State)
I picked Penn State to win the Big Ten. So naturally, I need to pick James Franklin to win the Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Quarterback of the Year: Taulia Tagovailoa (Maryland)
This is the same reason why I picked Taulia over JJ for the 1st-team All Big Ten spot. Taulia will mean more to Maryland’s success than JJ will to Michigan in 2023. There’s a real chance JJ doesn’t attempt a pass in the 4th quarter until the 10th game of the season against Penn State. Taulia, meanwhile, could have as many as 100 more pass attempts than JJ and will find himself in multiple four-quarter battles.
Running Back of the Year: Donovan Edwards (Michigan)
Michigan should lead the Big Ten in rushing this season. Probably by a good margin. Although it will likely be close to a 50/50 split, I think Edwards will take over Corum as Michigan’s primary running back. He’s more talented and, with a larger workload, should have the best numbers of any running back in the conference this season.
Receiver of the Year: Marvin Harrison Jr (Ohio State)
This goes without saying.
Tight End of the Year: Brevyn Spann-Ford (Minnesota)
I gave Maryland’s Cory Dychess the 1st-team All Big Ten spot because I think he will put up better receiving numbers than Spann-Ford. But at 6’7″ 270lbs, his blocking ability will earn him TE of the Year honors.
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Penn State)
Wisconsin’s Jack Nelson & Jake Renfro, Michigan’s Zak Zinter, Ohio State’s Matthew Jones, and Maryland’s DJ Glaze would all be good picks for this award. But I’ll go with the player that seems like a surefire top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Jer’Zhan Newton (Illinois)
Linebacker of the Year: Tommy Eichenberg (Ohio State)
Eichenberg led all returning linebackers in tackles and TFLs in 2022. He should be on the field for almost every defensive play and prove that he is not only the best linebacker in the Big Ten, but best in the entire country.
Defensive Back of the Year: Cooper DeJean (Iowa)
This was probably the hardest to choose. Michigan’s Will Johnson, Penn State’s Kalen King, and Minnesota’ Tyler Nubin will all be strong contenders. But I went with DeJean for two reasons. First is his big play ability. He was second in the Big Ten with five INTs last year and first with three pick sixes. Those are the types of plays that win you awards. Second, DeJean gets the benefit of avoiding some of the best receivers that reside in the Big Ten East. Will Johnson and Kalen King simply have tougher matchups than Cooper DeJean does in 2023.
Kicker of the Year: Drew Stevens (Iowa)
Punter of the Year: Tory Taylor (Iowa)
Return Specialist of the Year: Jaylin Lucas (Indiana)
Stat Leaders
Passing Yards: Taulia Tagovailoa (Maryland)
Passing TDs: Devin Brown (Ohio State)
Even though the QB battle is likely to bleed into the regular season, I think Devin Brown will emerge as the full-time starter before the end of September. Ohio State should lead the conference in scoring yet again. Picking an Ohio State quarterback to lead the Big Ten in passing TDs is usually a good bet.
Rushing Yards: Braelon Allen (Wisconsin)
Unlike Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan who will operate with a committee, Braelon Allen should have the majority of carries in Wisconsin’s offense.
Rushing TDs: Blake Corum (Michigan)
Corum was second in the Big Ten last year with 18 rushing TDs. Donovan Edwards only had seven. That trend is difficult to ignore.
Receiving Yards: Marvin Harrison Jr (Ohio State)
Receiving TDs: Marvin Harrison Jr (Ohio State)
Tackles: Tommy Eichenberg (Ohio State)
Sacks: Chop Robinson (Penn State)
Chop Robinson should take another step in his development and have a huge 2023.