Our 2025 All-Big Ten Football Team uses PFSN’s suite of college football metrics to highlight the highest graded players from the conference following the end of a remarkable college football season.
Did your favorite player make the cut? Let’s find out!
PFSN All-Big Ten First Team Offense
- QB: Fernando Mendoza, Indiana Hoosiers
- RB: Emmett Johnson, Nebraska Cornhuskers
- RB: Antwan Raymond, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- WR: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State Buckeyes
- WR: Makai Lemon, USC Trojans
- TE: Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon Ducks
- OL: Carter Smith, Indiana Hoosiers
- OL: Beau Stephens, Iowa Hawkeyes
- OL: Matt Gulbin, Michigan State Spartans
- OL: Evan Beerntsen, Northwestern Wildcats
- OL: Conner Moore, Michigan State Spartans
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza was the catalyst for the Hoosiers’ undefeated season and No. 1 national ranking. Mendoza set a new Indiana single-season record with 33 touchdown passes, which led the entire FBS, completing an efficient 71.5% of his attempts for 2,980 yards and an impressive 181.4 quarterback rating. He also contributed six rushing touchdowns.
Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson has been an elite force for the Cornhuskers in 2025 and leads a skill position room featuring the wide receiver pairing of Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith (80 receptions for 1,086 yards and 11 receiving touchdowns) and USC’s Makai Lemon, who was one of the nation’s most electric receivers. The offensive line was anchored by Indiana’s Carter Smith, the first Hoosier ever to win the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year award.
PFSN All-Big Ten First Team Defense
- EDGE: Mason Reiger, Wisconsin Badgers
- EDGE: Derrick Moore, Michigan Wolverines
- DT: Cam Rice, Maryland Terrapins
- DT: Tyrique Tucker, Indiana Hoosiers
- LB: Mani Powell, Purdue Boilermakers
- LB: Rolijah Hardy, Indiana Hoosiers
- CB: Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State Buckeyes
- CB: D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana Hoosiers
- CB: TJ Hall, Iowa Hawkeyes
- SAF: Miles Scott, Illinois Fighting Illini
- SAF: Louis Moore, Indiana Fighting Illini
Unsurprisingly, the defense is dominated by the No. 1-ranked Hoosiers. Cornerback D’Angelo Ponds was recognized for his high level of coverage, allowing zero touchdowns on the season and adding a 67-yard pick-six against Washington. He was joined by LB Rolijah Hardy and DT Tyrique Tucker, with the entire Hoosiers defense ranking No. 2 nationally in fewest points allowed.
Michigan EDGE Derrick Moore and Wisconsin EDGE Mason Reiger provided elite pass-rushing threats, while Illinois safety Miles Scott provided strong play at the safety position alongside another Hoosier, Louis Moore. Davison Igbinosun elevated his game beyond last season’s penalty difficulties, securing his first team spot with elite level cornerback play.
PFSN All-Big Ten First Team Special Teams
- K: Jai Patel, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- P: James Ferguson-Reynolds, Oregon Ducks
- KR: Kenneth Williams, Nebraska Cornhuskers
- PR: Kaden Wetjen, Iowa Hawkeyes
The specialists are led by Rutgers K Jai Patel, who was recognized for his reliability and consistency in scoring throughout the 2025 season for the Scarlet Knights. Oregon’s James Ferguson-Reynolds was one of the nation’s premier punters, contributing to the Ducks’ overall field position advantage with a high average and good hangtime following his preseason transfer from Boise State.
MORE: PFSN College Football Offense Impact Metric
The return specialists were dynamic game-changers. Nebraska KR Kenneth Williams was an explosive threat on kickoffs, providing the Cornhuskers’ offense with favorable starting field position. Iowa’s Kaden Wetjen was unstoppable, recognized for his elite punt return ability and yards-after-catch capability.
PFSN All-Big Ten Second Team Offense
- QB: Julian Sayin, Ohio State Buckeyes
- RB: Kaytron Allen, Penn State Nittany Lions
- RB: Bo Jackson, Ohio State Buckeyes
- WR: Carnell Tate, Ohio State Buckeyes
- WR: Hank Beatty, Illinois Fighting Illini
- TE: Lake McRee, USC Trojans
- OL: Trevor Lauck, Iowa Hawkeyes
- OL: Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon Ducks
- OL: Gus Zilinskas, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- OL: Garrett DiGiorgio, UCLA Bruins
- OL: Taj White, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Second Team offense featured Ohio State QB Julian Sayin, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Sayin guided the Buckeyes to a 12-1 record and a College Football Playoff bid, demonstrating exceptional efficiency with a nation-leading 78.4% completion. The running back tandem included Penn State’s Kaytron Allen and Ohio State’s Bo Jackson, both high-volume backs.
The receiving corps was led by Ohio State’s Carnell Tate and Illinois’ Hank Beatty, both dangerous targets in their respective passing games. USC TE Lake McRee provided a reliable receiving threat from the tight end position. The offensive line was anchored by Oregon OL Emmanuel Pregnon and the Rutgers duo of OL Gus Zilinskas and OL Taj White, who provided stout protection for the Scarlet Knights.
PFSN All-Big Ten Second Team Defense
- EDGE: Caden Curry, Ohio State Buckeyes
- EDGE: Teitum Tuioti, Oregon Ducks
- DT: Rayshaun Benny, Michigan Wolverines
- DT: Bradley Weaver, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- LB: Amare Campbell, Penn State Nittany Lions
- LB: Mac Uihlein, Northwestern Wildcats
- CB: Jaheim Clarke, Illinois Fighting Illini
- CB: Tacario Davis, Washington Huskies
- CB: Zach Lutmer, Iowa Hawkeyes
- SAF: Alex McLaughlin, Washington Huskies
- SAF: Jalen Huskey, Maryland Terrapins
The Second Team defense recognized strong performances from the defensive front. Ohio State’s Caden Curry and Oregon’s Teitum Tuioti provided consistent pressure off the edge for their College Football Playoff-bound teams. Michigan DT Rayshaun Benny was a key run-stuffer for the Wolverines, joined by Rutgers DT Bradley Weaver on the interior.
The secondary included Washington’s Tacario Davis and Illinois’s Jaheim Clarke, both of whom excelled in man coverage. Maryland safety Jalen Huskey and another Husky, Alex McLaughlin, rounded out the unit as versatile defensive backs.
PFSN All-Big Ten Second Team Special Teams
- K: Jack Olsen, Northwestern Wildcats
- P: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State Spartans
- KR: Kaden Wetjen, Iowa Hawkeyes
- PR: Jonathan Brady, Indiana Hoosiers
The Second Team special teams unit was led by Northwestern K Jack Olsen, who provided consistent scoring and game-winning clutch genes for the Wildcats. Michigan State punter Ryan Eckley was a bright spark on a team that struggled during the 2025 college football season.
Iowa’s Wetjen makes a second appearance on our All-Big Ten team, showcasing his dominance as a special teams ace. Indiana’s Jonathan Brady was recognized for his explosive ability on punt returns, providing a spark for the Hoosiers’ special teams unit.
PFSN All-Big Ten Third Team Offense
- QB: Jayden Maiava, USC Trojans
- RB: Jonah Coleman, Washington Huskies
- RB: Jordan Marshall, Michigan Wolverines
- WR: Omar Cooper Jr., Indiana Hoosiers
- WR: Elijah Sarratt, Indiana Hoosiers
- TE: Riley Nowakowski, Indiana Hoosiers
- OL: J.C. Davis, Illinois Fighting Illini
- OL: Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State Nittany Lions
- OL: Logan Jones, Iowa Hawkeyes
- OL: Kwabena Asamoah, Rutgers Scarlet Knights
- OL: Gennings Dunker, Iowa Hawkeyes
MORE: PFSN College Football Defensive Impact Metric
The Third Team offense recognized USC QB Jayden Maiava, who posted a solid season for the Trojans, along with a productive running back duo in Washington’s Jonah Coleman and Michigan’s Jordan Marshall.
The receiving threats included a pair of Indiana pass catchers, WR Omar Cooper Jr. and WR Elijah Sarratt, who benefited from Mendoza’s elite passing but added their own flair. Meanwhile, Riley Nowakowski was another outlet at the tight end position. The offensive line was characterized by the consistency of Iowa OL Logan Jones and OL Gennings Dunker, who anchored the Hawkeyes’ run game.
PFSN All-Big Ten Third Team Defense
- EDGE: Stephen Daley, Indiana Hoosiers
- EDGE: Gabe Jacas, Illinois Fighting Illini
- DT: Tomiwa Durojaiye, Illinois Fighting Illini
- DT: A’Mauri Washington, Oregon Ducks
- LB: Isaiah Jones, Indiana Hoosiers
- LB: Eric Gentry, USC Trojans
- CB: Zeke Berry, Michigan Wolverines
- CB: Brandon Finney Jr., Oregon Ducks
- CB: Jadon Canady, Oregon Ducks
- SAF: Amare Ferrell, Indiana Hoosiers
- SAF: Caleb Downs, Ohio State Buckeyes
The Third Team defense included a pair of productive Illinois defensive linemen, Tomiwa Durojaiye and Gabe Jacas, who played a major role in the Fighting Illini’s season. Stephen Daley and Oregon’s A’Mauri Washington also provided solid defensive line play, with Daley’s recent injury casting a shadow on Indiana’s postseason run.
The linebacker corps featured Indiana LB Isaiah Jones and USC LB Eric Gentry. The secondary was dominated by Oregon players, with Brandon Finney Jr. and Jadon Canady providing strong coverage for the Ducks. It might be considered surprising, verging on disrespectful, to find Caleb Downs on the third team. Yet, the Ohio State safety ranks outside the top 10 safeties nationally in metrics such as incompletion rate and yards per reception allowed.
PFSN All-Big Ten Third Team Special Teams
- K: Drew Stevens, Iowa Hawkeyes
- P: Atticus Bertrams, Wisconsin Badgers
- KR: Vinny Anthony II, Wisconsin Badgers
- PR: Hank Beatty, Illinois Fighting Illini
Unsurprisingly, an Iowa kicker makes their way onto the All-Big Ten team, with Drew Stevens continuing a special teams legacy for the Hawkeyes. Atticus Bertrams was a consistent punting force for the Badgers.
Wisconsin also placed Vinny Anthony II on the third team after a stunning season returning kicks. Illinois PR Hank Beatty, also a Second Team wide receiver, was selected here for his capability to create yardage on punt returns for the Fighting Illini.
