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 cornerbacks, which could feature a number of future NFL draft picks when all is said and done.
Previous Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DT | DE | OLB | ILB | S
1. Denzel Ward, Ohio State
Denzel Ward has never started a single game for Ohio State, and yet he’s already being projected as the next on the Buckeyes’ long list of first-round NFL draft pick cornerbacks.
Despite not having cracked the starting lineup yet, the 5-foot-10, 191-pound native of Macedonia, Ohio, has seen action in 25 consecutive games entering his true junior season, boasting 30 career tackles and nine pass breakups.
Ward was also on the field for 468 snaps last season and was essentially OSU’s No. 3 corner behind future first-round picks Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley.
His play earned him honorable-mention All-Big Ten, and many more accolades should be coming in 2017.
Ward has already been pegged as preseason first-team all-conference by Lindy’s and Street & Smith’s and a second-team selection by Athlon.
2. Rashad Fant, Indiana
For the first time in a long time, Indiana’s defense may actually be a strength rather than a liability this season, and cornerback Rashard Fant is a big reason why.
A two-year starter who has played in 38 games for the Hoosiers, Fant comes into his senior year as the NCAA’s active leader and IU’s all-time leader in pass break-ups (44) and passes defended (48).
Last season, the 5-10, 175, Atlanta native led the Big Ten and tied for second nationally with 17 breakups, and he also topped the league and ranked third nationally with 20 passes defended.
Add in his three interceptions, Fant was named second-team All-Big Ten and now comes into 2017 as a consensus preseason first-team all-conference selection.
3. Chris Jones, Nebraska
There was a point about midway through last season where it was becoming a real discussion whether Chris Jones could forego his senior year and make an early jump to the NFL.
While that topic faded when his numbers cooled off a bit at the end of the year, Jones returns to the Huskers as one of the top cornerbacks the Big Ten has to offer.
The 6-0, 195, native of Jacksonville, Fla., is coming off an impressive junior campaign where he nabbed three interceptions with 10 pass breakups to earn consensus honorable-mention all-conference accolades.
Jones is now locked in as the Huskers’ clear top corner entering 2017, and he’s definitely being noticed around the league, earning first-team preseason All-Big Ten from Athlon and second-team honors from Lindy’s.
4. Derrick Tindal, Wisconsin
Entering his final season in Madison, Derrick Tindal has been a fixture in Wisconsin’s secondary his entire career.
Last year as a junior was his best performance yet, as he finished with a career-high 11 passes defended and three interceptions to earn honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors.
Even more impressive was that the 5-11, 183, native of Ft. Lauderdale did all of that despite playing the majority of the season with an injured hand.
Now Tindal is listed as a preseason second-team All-Big Ten selection by Athlon and a third-team pick by Lindy’s.
5. Montre Hartage, Northwestern
A true sophomore who started all 13 games for Northwestern last season, Montre Hartage is back for his junior year as one of the most productive cornerbacks in the Big Ten.
The 6-0, 190, native of Cordele, Ga., led the Wildcats and ranked second in the conference with five interceptions in 2016, adding a team-best nine pass breakups.
He was named honorable-mention All-Big Ten for his efforts, and comes into this season listed as preseason second-team all-conference by Lindy’s and third-team by Athlon.
