The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1536962
THE WOLVERINE 2025 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 117 Top 25 Players In The Big Ten 1. WR Jeremiah Smith, So., Ohio State The Buckeye star receiver would have been one of the first players taken if the NFL Draft was open to freshmen. He finished last season with 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. 2. S Caleb Downs, Jr., Ohio State The former Alabama transfer has been the best safety in college football over the last two sea- sons and is a do-it-all Swiss Army knife for OSU. 3. EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei, Jr., Oregon After a breakout sophomore season, the brother of former No. 1 overall recruit DJ Uiagalelei has achieved stardom as one of the nation's best pass rushers. 4. DL Mikail Kamara, Gr., Indiana Following head coach Curt Cignetti from James Madison, Kamara had the best season of his career with 10 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in 2024. 5. RB Nicholas Singleton, Sr., Penn State Penn State's star tailback has totaled at least 156 carries in all three collegiate seasons, with two 1,000-yard campaigns and 32 career touchdowns. 6. QB Drew Allar, Sr., Penn State The former five-star recruit has a chance to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and will lead a national title contender this season in Happy Valley. 7. CB D'Angelo Ponds, Jr., Indiana Another former JMU star who transferred into Bloomington, Ponds was a first-team All-Big Ten performer after jumping up from the FCS level last season. 8. S Koi Perich, So., Minnesota The home state top-60 recruit was a star in his true freshman season, earning All-Big Ten honors as both a defender and return specialist for the Gophers. 9. S Rod Moore, Gr., Michigan A torn ACL in spring 2024 kept Moore out all season, but the veteran captain is an all-conference talent being dropped into another elite Michigan defense. 10. RB Kaytron Allen, Sr., Penn State Allen led the Nittany Lions in carries (220) and yards (1,108) last season, forming one of the best running back duos in the country with Singleton. Best In The Big Ten By Position QB — Drew Allar, Penn State RB — Nicholas Singleton, Penn State WR — Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State* TE — Max Klare, Ohio State* OL — Isaiah World, Oregon DL — Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon LB — Aiden Fisher, Indiana CB — D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana S — Caleb Downs, Ohio State* *on Michigan's schedule in 2025 The Wolverine's Top 25 Players By School School Offense Defense/ST Total Penn State 4 1 5 Oregon 2 3 5 Michigan 0 4 4 Indiana 1 3 4 Ohio State 2 1 3 Illinois 1 1 2 Iowa 1 0 1 Minnesota 0 1 1 Indiana defensive lineman Mikail Kamara (10 sacks and 2 forced fumbles) led the FBS in total pressures (73) and graded as the No. 4 edge rush- er in the Big Ten, according to Pro Football Focus. PHOTO BY TRENT BARNHART/INDIANA ATHLETICS 11. LB Aiden Fisher, Sr., Indiana 12. LB Bryce Boettcher, Gr., Oregon 13. EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton, Sr., Penn State 14. TE Max Klare, Jr., Ohio State 15. RB Makhi Hughes, Jr., Oregon 16. S Dillion Thieneman, Jr., Oregon 17. OT Isaiah World, Gr., Oregon 18. EDGE Derrick Moore, Sr., Michigan 19. EDGE Gabe Jacas, Sr., Illinois 20. WR Trebor Pena, Gr., Penn State 21. OL Logan Jones, Gr., Iowa 22. DL Rayshaun Benny, Gr., Michigan 23. WR Elijah Sarrat, Sr., Indiana 24. QB Luke Altmyer, Gr., Illinois 25. K Dominic Zvada, Sr., Michigan