This college football season has been rather strange. However, the Big Ten has seen many stars who stand out from others. Surprise teams like the Indiana Hoosiers, Illinois Fighting Illini, and even the Nebraska Cornhuskers (I hope Indiana was not them) have been driven by these standout players.
Also Read: Stand-out Players in Big 12 Football
5 Stand-Out Players in Big Ten Football
Luke Altmeyer
Luke Altmeyer has been a standout star in the Big Ten. This season, he has tallied fifteen touchdowns and thrown just one interception. Along with this, Altmeyer has thrown for 1,506 yards. The Illini have been led to a 6-1 record thanks to a good defense and a balanced offense. However, the only reason Illinois has been able to beat the Michigan Wolverines, Nebraska Cornhuskers, and Kansas Jayhawks is because of Altmeyer.
Altmeyer has continuously stood out thanks to his superb ball protection and ability to carry his team. Altmeyer possesses mobility and accuracy, which has led to a great season for the star QB.
Kaleb Johnson
Kaleb Johnson is the only reason the Iowa Hawkeyes are still alive in 2024. For a team that needed offense, Johnson provided it and more. Johnson ranks second in the country with 1,035 yards. He is carrying the Iowa Hawkeyes quite literally, as he ranks fourth in touchdowns, 2nd in yards, and 12th in attempts.
Johnson has become one of the biggest standout stars for any Big Ten team this season. Last season, Johnson had 117 carries for 463 yards, which is not bad, but this season, Johnson has had 132 carries for 1,035 yards. Johnson has doubled what he did last season. Why has Iowa even won a game? Johnson.
Billy Edwards Jr.
Billy Edwards Jr. has single-handedly led his team to the top of the Big Ten in passing yards. Why? Edwards has been excellent in the first seven games of the season. The Maryland Terrapins have struggled this season to stay consistent, but only because of the abysmal defense that ranks among the worst in the Big Ten.
Edwards Jr. has completed 70% of his passes this season and has carried his team to all its victories. Maryland continues to have an unbalanced attack that needs improving, but this team undoubtedly credits Billy Edwards Jr. with all its victories. Edwards Jr. remains among the only quarterbacks who already have over 2,000 passing yards.
Dillion Gabriel
Dillion Gabriel opened this season with high hopes. Whether that be a Big Ten Championship, the Heisman Trophy, or the National Championship, Gabriel is leading the Oregon Ducks to a title-contending season and is a favorite of Saturday bettors at online sites like https://www.sportscasting.com/gambling-sites/. Gabriel is ranked 8th in GBR this season but has the best completion percentage in college football.
Oregon may have started slow, but they have rebounded to become the best team in the sport. The transfer portal may have hurt many teams like Alabama and Georgia, but it didn’t hurt the Ducks. Like many expected, Gabriel has stood out massively in the Big Ten this season. At this point, the Ducks look poised to win it all, thanks to Gabriel.
Kurtis Rourke
Sure, Kurtis Rourke was supposed to be good. But not this good. Rourke ranks 2nd (!) in QBR this season. He has stood out for his protection of the ball, completion percentage, and insane average of 10.7 yards per pass. However, all good things come at a price, as Rourke unfortunately finds himself injured for the foreseeable future. It could be a significant injury, but it also could be a minor one. However, Rourke remains the face of standouts in the Big Ten and College Football. Hopefully, Rourke will recover and continue his outstanding season.
Indiana may find themselves contenders, thanks to this superb QB. All of these players in the Big Ten have been standout stars who have either led their teams to Big Ten contention or have given their teams hope. Without these players, these teams may not have done anything so far in 2024.
