Big Ten Announces Football Preseason Players to Watch List

The Big Ten Conference announced today its fifth annual football preseason Players to Watch list, with 11 players earning recognition. A select media panel voted for the top five players each from the East and West Division, with one additional honoree this year due to a tie.

Michigan State and Ohio State each had a pair of players represent the East Division. Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun and quarterback Connor Cook were honored, alongside Buckeyes defensive end Joey Bosa and running back Ezekiel Elliott. Penn State defensive tackle Anthony Zettel completed the East Division honorees. Calhoun was named to the Big Ten Football Players to Watch list for the second consecutive season.

Nebraska and Wisconsin placed two standouts each on the West Division Players to Watch list. Huskers defensive tackle Maliek Collins and wide receiver De’Mornay Pierson-Elwere joined on the list by Badgers safety Michael Caputo and running back Corey Clement. Iowa defensive end Drew Ott and Northwestern running back Justin Jackson round out the division’s honorees.

Elliott was named to the Players to Watch list after claiming the Sullivan Award last season, given to the most outstanding amateur athlete in the United States. Bosa was tabbed a consensus first-team All-American last year, while Calhoun, Caputo and Pierson-El also claimed All-America laurels.

The Players to Watch list includes the reigning Big Ten Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player and Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year in Bosa, while Calhoun was tabbed the 2013 Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year. Bosa, Calhoun and Zettel were first-team All-Big Ten honorees last year, and Caputo, Collins, Cook and Ott were second-team selections.

The complete list of Big Ten football preseason Players to Watch appears below: