Predicting players from the Big Ten confrence before the 2022 season. Starting with players stepping into impact roles on teams hoping to make a National Championship run, all the way down to teams just hoping to make some noise in 2022. The transfer portal has has brought new faces to the Big Ten conference and has caused some of the 2021 recognizable faces fall off this list.
2022 Big Ten East Division
Junior Colson, LB, Michigan
Colson was a four star recruit and got to spend his freshman season playing behind some extremely talented Wolverines. He got plenty of playing time during the 2021 season and ended the season with 60 total tackles, 28 of those being solo tackles. He will get to started behind another talented defensive line at Michigan and is playing on a defense that will unleash him in the middle. Colson may be the Big Ten linebacker that benefits the most stepping into a starter role in 2022.
Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes have had a lot of talent at the Wide Receiver position throughout the years and it doesn’t look like that is about to change anytime soon. Marvin Harrison Jr. played behind Garret Wilson, Chris Olave and Jaxon Smith-Njigba during the 2021 season, but was able to demonstrate his talent in the 108th Rose Bowl game. Harrison Jr. had six receptions for 71 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Rose Bowl. With Wilson and Olave moving on to the NFL Harrison Jr. can step into the WR2 role beside Smith-Njigba.
Davion Primm, RB, Michigan State
Following the exit of Kenneth Walker III and Jalen Berger transferring from Wisconsin Michigan State running-back Davion Primm is still poised to break out for the Spartans this season. The redshirt freshman’s name still keeps popping up in an overloaded running back room. If the three star recruit can keep showing up on the practice field, we could see him in the starting lineup sooner rather than later.
Adisa Isaac, DE, Penn State
Isaac tore his Achillea tendon last summer and was forced to miss the 2021 season. Two years ago Isaac had 13 tackles, including 1.5 sacks. Returning to Penn State in 2022 it is safe to say he will be in a starting role and ready to prove himself on the field.
Max Melton, DB, Rutgers
Melton recorded 28 total tackles and three interceptions is freshman season. He started 10 games and led the team in takeaways. Melton seems to already be a successful player, he can only improve in 2022 right? This season he will have to be a leader for the Scarlet Knights and take charge. We are definitely going to see Max Melton starting week one for Rutgers.
CJ Dippre, TE, Maryland
Dippre will get a chance to step into a larger role for the Terps in the upcoming 2022 season. This team has been hurt by the transfer portal, but has been able to retain some talent, and will need some lower class-men to step up this year. Dippre did appear in all 13 games, but only recorded three receptions with 25 yards. The three star recruit will have plenty of opportunity to step up in 2022.
AJ Barner, TE, Indiana
AJ Barner looks to be the next man up for the Hoosiers at the tight-end position. He will have the big shoes of Peyton Hendershot to fill. Hendershot broke the all-time reception record for a tight-end at Indiana during his time in the program. Barner finished the 2021 season with only 14 receptions, 162 yards and a single touchdown. But with a huge hole at the tight-end position needing to be filled 2022 could be the young Hoosiers time to shine.
2022 Big Ten West Division
Jestin Jacobs, LB, Iowa
Jacobs seems primed and ready for his 2022 breakout season. The former four star recruit showed a lot of promise during the 2021 season. Jacobs finished the season with 53 tackles, 33 of those being solo, one forced fumble and one interception. Plus he will be playing alongside All-Big Ten Jack Campbell. With an even larger role in 2022 I can’t wait to see what this Hawkeye will do.
Jordan Turner, LB, Wisconsin
Wisconsin finished the 2021 season with the number one ranked defense, but more than half of those starters will need to be replaced in 2022. The Badgers will need young talent and young leadership for the upcoming season and Jordan Turner my be the man for the job. The three star recruit did only record two solo tackles, but also had two interceptions. A roster with a bunch of holes will provide Tunrer with plenty of opportunity to be the next big time Badgers linebacker.
Jah Joyner, DL, Minnesota
Minnesota ended 2021 with arguably one of the best defenses, but going into 2022 they are left with holes on both sides of the defensive line. The four star recruit Jah Joyner should be the next man up. Joyner will have some big shoes to fill. Otemowo and Mafe accounted for ten of the 25 sacks Minnesota had during the 2021 season. Joyner did account for one sack last season, and now he will be given to opportunity to get a lot more during 2022.
Zion Steptoe, WR, Purdue
There is going to be a lot of pass catching opportunity at Purdue with David Bell’s departure. The three star freshman recruit Zion Steptoe may be walking into the perfect situation. Steptoe committed to Purdue after de-committing from Utah. With the experienced quarterback Aidan O’Connell throwing the ball Steptoe may breakout year one with the Boilermakers.
Calvin Hart Jr, LB, Illinois
Calvin Hart Jr’s 2021 season was cut short due to tearing his left ACL in the season opener. In that game Hart Jr recorded six total tackles with one sack and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. Illinois desperately needs talent and leadership on defense and with Hart Jr returning in 2022 they will get both. As long as he can remain healthy he will have his breakout season in 2022.
Casey Thompson, QB, Nebraska
Nebraska welcomes a new face at quarterback after years of inconsistent play by Adrian Martinez. Casey Thompson transferred to Nebraska from Texas following the 2021 season. As a Longhorn last season the young quarterback recorded 2,113 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns and nine interceptions. Huskers head coach Scott Frost is going to need Thompson to be a playmaker and leader this season. Considering Thompson lead the Big 12 with 24 passing touchdowns last season, he is sure to make a huge splash in the Big Ten West.
Mac Uihlein, LB, Northwestern
Northwestern had one of the absolute worst Big Ten defenses in 2021, hopefully some new talent can turn that around in 2022. Mac Uihlein comes in as a four star recruit, and the highest ranked recruit at his position at Northwestern ever. With some of the defensive leaders departing the program, the red shirt freshman will get his opportunity to step in and attempt to turn the defense around in 2022.
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