The Big Ten conference has produced some of the best players in the NFL today, and those players are being rewarded immensely for their talents.
The NFL new year officially started on Wednesday, meaning free agency is now open and players can sign new deals. Amongst the marque free agents were a handful of former Big Ten stars, and they cashed in quite nicely in free agency.
Let’s take a look at a few former Big Ten standouts that struck gold in free agency this week.
1. QB Kirk Cousins (Michigan State)
Former Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins has been one of the most consistent passers in the NFL over the past decade, and he parlayed that great play with a monster deal with the Atlanta Falcons. After six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Cousins will play for his third NFL team after agreeing to a 4-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons.
A 12-year NFL veteran, Cousins was arguably the best quarterback in the Big Ten in 2011. He led the conference in pass completions, pass attempts and pass yards that year as Michigan State reached the Big Ten Championship game and finished the year with an 11-3 record.
2. OG Mike Onwenu (Michigan)
Former Michigan Wolverine and 2020 sixth round draft pick Mike Onwenu will be staying with the New England Patriots after agreeing to a 3-year, $57 million deal with the team. The offensive guard has started 56 games for the Patriots in his career, giving the franchise great value for a sixth-round selection. He’s settled into the right guard position after struggling to find a permanent home on the Patriots offensive line early in his career.
At Michigan, Onwenu was a 2-year starter and was named to the Third-Team All-Big Ten during both of his seasons as a starting guard for the Wolverines.
3. OG Jonah Jackson (Ohio State/Rutgers)
Offensive guard Jonah Jackson agreed to a 3-year, $51 million deal with the Los Angeles Rams during free agency. A 2020 third-round selection by the Detroit Lions, Jackson started his rookie season at right guard and since then started 57 games for Lions. Jackson is reuniting with the quarterback he started his career blocking for, Matthew Stafford.
Before his NFL days, Jackson was a part of two Big Ten teams. He started his career at Rutgers but transferred to Ohio State as a grad transfer for the 2019 season. At Ohio State, Jackson was First-Team All-Big Ten for his efforts. The move to Ohio State gave him the exposure he needed to become a Day Two NFL Draft pick.
4. RB Saquon Barkley (Penn State)
One of the greatest running backs in recent Big Ten history will return to the state he played his college ball in as Saquon Barkley and the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a 3-year, $37.75 million deal earlier this week. Barkley was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2018 draft by the New York Giants and spent the first six years of his career with the Giants. During his time in New York, Barkley was a 2-time Pro Bowler, the 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and was named to the 2018 All-Rookie Team. Now, 27 years old, Barkley is looking to regroup in Philadelphia after a few injury-riddled seasons with the Giants.
At Penn State, Barkley was a 2-time First-Team All-Big Ten and 2-time Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year, an award given to the best offensive player in the Big Ten, he was also a consensus First-Team All-American in 2017.
5. C Tyler Biadasz (Wisconsin)
Former Dallas Cowboys center Tyler Biadasz agreed to a 3-year, $29.25 million deal with the Washington Commanders this week. A 2020 fourth-round pick by the Cowboys, Biadasz was the team’s starter at center since the 2021 season, starting 53 games for the ‘Boys over his career. He was named a Pro Bowler in 2022 for his strong play.
Before becoming a stable presence on NFL offensive lines, Biadasz was one of the nation’s best centers at Wisconsin. He was a unanimous All-American in 2019 and was a 2-time First-team All-Big Ten selection in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, Biadasz received the highest honor a college offensive center can earn as he won the Remington Trophy, an award given to the nation’s best offensive center.