The Big Ten conference is flush full of stars, but who could surprise this year and explode onto the scene with a huge year?
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Here's a few players who could be the breakout stars of the Big Ten this fall:
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Nebraska QB Tanner Lee
A transfer quarterback from Tulane, Lee will step into the Nebraska offense as a starter with experience, hoping to pick up where Tommy Armstrong Jr. left off.
Ohio State WR Binjimen Victor
Victor played five games as a true freshman in 2016, catching 4 passes for 64 yards and a score. He could move into a bigger role in the offense this fall.
Purdue LB T.J. McCollum
A graduate transfer from Western Kentucky, McCollum was the Hilltoppers third-leading tackler last fall. He has one year of eliginility left and should be an immediate impact player for the Boilermakers.
Michigan RB Kareem Walker
Walker's freshman season was far from easy, and it's still a longshot for Walker to be an immediate impact, but if Walker gets the call he's an electric back who could be an impact player.
Michigan State QB Brian Lewerke
Lewerke played in four games as a redshirt freshman last year, completing 31 passes for 381 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He added 149 rushing yards on 21 carries. He'll get the starting nod this fall.
Penn State DE Shaka Toney
Toney redshirted last fall and was Penn State's defensive scout team player of the year. He'll get a chance to make an impact on the field this fall.
Minnesota LB Carter Coughlin
Coughlin played in 11 games last year (one start) and totaled 25 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks. He'll play an even bigger role in 2017.
Nebraska WR De’Mornay Pierson-El
An electric player, Pierson-El has never fully clicked for the Huskers. In his final season, he'll look to make more of an impact on the passing game while continuing to
Northwestern WR Jalen Brown
Brown heads to Northwestern as a grad transfer from Oregon with two years of eligibility remaining. He caught 17 passes for 318 yards and three scores last fall.
Iowa DT Brady Reiff
The younger brother of NFL player Riley Reiff, Brady could step into the void left behind by Jaleel Johnson, who was drafted into the NFL this spring.
Wisconsin LB Garret Dooley
Dooley will be expected to take on some of the production that left when T.J. Watt and Vince Biegel were taken in the 2017 NFL Draft. Dooley registered 40 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks last season.
