The Most Entertaining Player From Every Big Ten East Team
Photo via University of Michigan Athletics.
Although the divisions will soon be disbanded, it’s no secret that the Big Ten East is filled with players who leave fans in awe. While most of these guys won’t win a Heisman Trophy, the most electric players in one of college football’s toughest divisions are still worth mentioning.
Michigan: Blake Corum (SR RB)
Realistically, this slot could have gone to a number of players on the Wolverines’ roster. Donovan Edwards, JJ McCarthy and Coleston Loveland all became legit contenders for the title of fan favorites by the end of the season. Yet with Heisman-hopeful Corum edges out the competition. Corum rushed for 18 touchdowns and 1,463 yards on 247 attempts before suffering a meniscus injury against Illinois. Corum’s ability to burst through the hole and freeze defenders with his signature jump cut makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Ohio State: Marvin Harrison Jr (JR WR)
Marvin Harrison Jr has all the tools to be just as good as his Super Bowl-winning father, Marvin Harrison Sr. The big, physical target has the best hands in the country and will be the focal point of a Buckeye offense looking to replace Jackson Smith-Njigba this season. Harrison had 77 receptions, 1,263 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore in Columbus last season. Despite breaking in a new quarterback this season, Harrison should continue to terrorize opposing secondaries.
Michigan State: Tre Mosley (SR WR)
The Spartans took a major blow this offseason after losing star wide receiver Keon Coleman and starting quarterback Payton Thorne to the transfer portal. The departure of Coleman leaves Tre Mosley the opportunity to become the Spartans’ feature receiver. Mosley had 35 receptions, 359 yards and four touchdowns in 2022, a small dip in production after a 530-yard season the year before. Mosley’s ability to make plays in double coverage and position his body around defenders makes him the Spartans’ biggest threat in the passing game.
Penn State: Nicholas Singleton (SO RB)
The Nittany Lions are one of the hotter teams heading into 2023, thanks to their backfield prowess. Nicholas Singleton could rival Blake Corum and TreVeyon Henderson for the title of best running back in the conference. In 2022, Singleton rushed for 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns on 156 carries. Singleton’s speed and agility through contact makes him dangerous with just the slightest bit of daylight. Sharing the backfield with Kaytron Allen gives the Nittany Lions an elite backfield comparable to the tandems of Michigan and Ohio State.
Rutgers: Naseim Brantley (SR WR)
Those who aren’t members of the Scarlet Knight faithful are most likely unfamiliar with Naseim Brantley, a transfer from Western Illinois. Before heading to Western Illinois, Brantley played his first three years at Sacred Heart. Last year for the Leathernecks, Brantley put up 903 yards and nine touchdowns on just 53 receptions. Brantley was also named newcomer of the year in the Missouri Valley Conference last season. He comes into Rutgers looking to be their number-one option in the passing game.
Maryland: Taulia Tagovailoa (SR QB)
Since his arrival in 2020, Taulia Tagovailoa has been one of the more exciting quarterbacks in the conference. Tagovailoa has shown flashes of the talent that won his brother a national championship at Alabama. Last year he threw for 3,008 yards and 18 touchdowns with a QBR of 69.6. His arm paired with his vision and ability to scramble and extend plays are his biggest assets. In his final year, Tagovailoa should take his biggest jump and rise his draft stock.
Indiana: Jaylin Lucas (SO RB)
Although he’s listed as a running back, Jaylin Lucas makes his biggest impact in the return game. As a running back, Lucas had 271 yards and two touchdowns. However, as a return man, Lucas totaled 591 yards and two touchdowns. His blinding speed should make every opposing special teams coach question the decision to kick it to him. He may not provide the biggest spark from the backfield, yet his impact while returning kicks is undeniable.
