As the 2017 season draws nearer by the day, it’s time to start taking a look at some of the top players to watch in the Big Ten Conference.

We continue our Ranking the Big Ten series today with the centers, a position that just might be as loaded as any offensive unit in the league this year.

Previous Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG

There may not be a more decorated offensive linemen returning in the Big Ten this season than Ohio State's Billy Price.

When all is said and done, the senior could etch his name as one of the best Buckeye linemen in program history.

The 6-foot-4, 312-pound native of Austintown, Ohio, was a first-team All-American and a consensus first-team All-Big Ten selection last year as a junior.

Price comes into 2017 having started 41 consecutive games over the past three seasons, and he's on pace to break Luke Fickell's school record of 50 starts in a row.

Price, who was a staple at guard before moving to center to replace 2016 Rimington Award winner Pat Elflein this offseason, also has a shot at reaching Elflein's school record for most career games played (55).

Speaking of longevity, senior Mason Cole has been a fixture on Michigan's offensive line the past three seasons.

The 6-5, 305, native of Tarpon Springs, Fla., made an immediate impact in 2014 by becoming the first true freshman in school history to start a season opener on the offensive line.

Since then, Cole has made 38 consecutive starts, including starting all 13 games last season at center. He also started 25 games at left tackle as a freshman and sophomore before moving to center in 2016.

Cole was a consensus second-team All-Big Ten selection last season, and there's little doubt he will be in the all-league conversation and much more again this year.

Brian Allen had spent the majority of his Michigan State career as a guard, making 21 of his 25 career starts at the two guard spots and just the other four at center.

But after some needed reshuffling along the Spartans' offensive line this spring, Allen has emerged as the new No. 1 center heading into his senior season.

The 6-2, 305, native of Hinsdale, Ill., has played in 38 career games and started a team-high 15 straight dating back to his sophomore year.

A two-time second-team All-Big Ten selection, Allen will be the anchor for MSU up front as it aims for a rebound season in 2017.

After missing first two weeks of last season due to an injury, James Daniels returned to start at center for the final 11 games of 2016.

Despite the early absence, the 6-4, 295, junior from Warren, Ohio, earned consensus third-team All-Big Ten honors for his play as a sophomore.

He was also one of the key pieces on an Iowa front that won the Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line in college football last season.

Purdue's offensive line had some major issues to work through last season, and this year there might be even more question marks for the unit after some roster attrition and an offseason coaching change.

But the one constant for the Boilermakers up front has been junior center Kirk Barron.

After starting all 12 games last year, the 6-2, 305, native of Mishawka, Ind., was named third-team preseason All-Big Ten by Athlon .

He'll be counted on as much as anyone to help new Purdue coach Jeff Brohm rebuild in West Lafayette over the next two seasons.