The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1265378
THE WOLVERINE 2020 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 123 1. QB Justin Fields, Jr., Ohio State He is an easy choice for the top spot on this list after throwing for 41 touchdowns against just three interceptions and 3,273 yards, rushing for 10 more scores and finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 2019. 2. WR Rashod Bateman, Jr., Minnesota He will be the focal point of the Gopher passing attack following the graduation of position-mate Tyler Johnson (1,318 yards in 2019), and will attempt to build off a sophomore campaign that saw him rack up 1,219 receiving yards and take home Associated Press (AP) third-team All-America honors. 3. LB Micah Parsons, Jr., Penn State He is viewed as one of the best linebackers in college football heading into 2020, following a sophomore season that saw him check in third in the Big Ten with 109 tackles and grab AP first-team All- America accolades. 4. CB Shaun Wade, R-Jr., Ohio State The 6-1, 195-pounder spurned the NFL to return to Columbus for another year after compiling eight passes broken up as Ohio State's nickel back last season. He will now be the leader of a Buckeye sec- ondary that lost both of its 2019 starting cornerbacks. 5. WR Rondale Moore, R-So., Purdue Injuries limited him to just four games last season as a sophomore, but the expectation is that he'll return to his 2018 form, when he tallied 1,258 receiving yards and was named an AP first-team All-American. 6. QB Tanner Morgan, R-Jr., Minnesota Morgan threw for 3,253 yards and 30 touchdowns as a redshirt sophomore in 2019, with both checking in as the second most in the Big Ten. 7. QB Sean Clifford, R-Jr., Penn State He led Penn State to an 11-2 campaign and a Cotton Bowl vic- tory over Memphis in his first season as a starter, throwing for 2,654 yards and 23 touchdowns while rushing for another 402 yards and five scores. 8. WR David Bell, So., Purdue He was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year last season after hauling in 86 receptions for 1,035 yards, and figures to form one of the best receiving duos in the nation in 2020 alongside Moore. 9. WR Chris Olave, Jr., Ohio State He led Ohio State with 849 receiving yards and 12 touchdown receptions as just a sophomore, but will take on an even bigger role following the graduation of wideouts K.J. Hill, Austin Mack and Binjimen Victor. 10. CB Ambry Thomas, Sr., Michigan Thomas helped lead Michigan to the No. 10 pass defense in the nation in 2019 in his first year as a starter, breaking up seven passes and tying for the team lead with three interceptions. 11. RB Trey Sermon, Sr., Ohio State 12. WR Whop Philyor, Sr., Indiana 13. WR Garrett Wilson, So., Ohio State 14. DE George Karlaftis, So., Purdue 15. LB Cam McGrone, R-So., Michigan 16. RB Master Teague, R-So., Ohio State 17. OG Wyatt Davis, R-Jr., Ohio State 18. WR Nico Collins, Sr., Michigan 19. RB Stevie Scott, Jr., Indiana 20. TE Pat Freiermuth, Jr., Penn State 21. DE Kwity Paye, Sr., Michigan 22. RB Journey Brown, R-Jr., Penn State 23. DE Aidan Hutchinson, Jr., Michigan 24. LB Jack Sanborn, Jr., Wisconsin 25. QB Michael Penix, R-So., Indiana School Offense Defense Total Ohio State 6 1 7 Michigan 1 4 5 Penn State 3 1 4 Indiana 3 0 3 School Offense Defense Total Purdue 2 1 3 Minnesota 2 0 2 Wisconsin 0 1 1 Top 25 Players In The Big Ten The Wolverine's Top 25 Big Ten Players By School Note: Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern and Rutgers did not have a player make the top 25. Ohio State quarterback Jus- tin Fields was not only named the Big Ten Offensive Player and Quarterback of the Year last season, he earned sec- ond-team All-America honors from several outlets, including the Associated Press, Walter Camp Football Foundation and CBS Sports. PHOTO BY LON HORWEDEL