There are a lot of new faces this year in the Big Ten. It will be difficult to figure out who will truly dominate each stat. Despite this, there are plenty of familiar names that do bring some light to the conversation. Here, we break down some, of the potential stat leaders for the upcoming 2019 season. This comes from comparing their seasons last year, and/or, how their team is around them. There will also be some runner-ups as well.
Passing Yards: Elijah Sindelar (PUR)
This is definitely hard to predict, considering all the changes in the off-season. Dwayne Haskins blew out the record last year, throwing for over 1,000 more yards than the next best QB. That next QB was Purdue quarterback David Blough. This year, I feel Sindelar will have the most passing yards in the Big Ten, for the Boilermakers. If Sindelar stays healthy, he certainly will have many opportunities to throw the ball. After all, he has plenty of options to go around, both at receiver and in the backfield as well. The Purdue offense will also most likely look to continue to throw the ball even more this year. This category could realistically go to a handful of quarterbacks, so just know it’s an early, and tough, prediction.
Runner-Ups: Adrian Martinez (NEB), Shea Patterson (Mich)
Passing TD’s: Shea Patterson (Mich)
There are a lot of new factors attached to Patterson’s name this year. He has four of his five offensive linemen returning, which always helps. On top of this, he has most of his receivers returning this year also, including Donovan Peoples-Jones, who could be one of the best receivers in the Big Ten this year. There is also no true #1 running back for so far Michigan this year, as opposed to most years in the past. Patterson will most likely get more passing attempts this year, due to all these factors. He is now the senior leader of the offense and coach Harbaugh and him are wanting to take the next step. They have had a #1 defense many years that Harbaugh has been there, now can they have a #1 offense?
Rushing Yards: Jonathan Taylor (WIS)
Runner-Ups: Nate Stanley (IOWA), Justin Fields (OSU)
Jonathan Taylor has been tearing up the ground game his first two years in the Big Ten. Racking up over 4,000 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, he has been the best back since coming into the Big Ten. With Wisconsin still searching for their starting quarterback, they look to continue to use Taylor heavily. Given Taylor has also ran the ball over 600 times in two years, only makes sense that with his speed and power, that he will continue to lead the Big Ten in rushing.
Runner-Ups: Anthony McFarland (MD), Reggie Corbin (ILL)
Rushing TD’s: Jonathan Taylor (WIS)
You guessed it, it’s Jonathan Taylor again. He has easily accumulated the most rushing touchdowns over the last two years in the Big Ten. The only player to have more rushing touchdowns than him in 2017 was Saquon Barkley. Given his giant workload, physical attributes, and running behind a good offensive line, he is the easy favorite to win the title of most touchdowns and yards.
Runner-Ups: J.K Dobbins (OSU), Stevie Scott (IND)
Receiving Yards: Rondale Moore (PUR)
Rondale Moore has been showing why he is one of the most impressive wide receivers, not just in the Big Ten, but in the country. He reminds me a lot of a Parris Campbell. He can make great plays with his feet and is a numbers machine. Last year, he led the Big Ten in yards and was tied 1st for touchdowns. He may be under-sized, but his ability to make plays in open space makes him a dangerous man to leave open. Moore, having Elijah back, and Purdue heading in a good direction, looks to help lead his offense and get Purdue back in contention for a Big Ten title.
Runner-Ups: Tyler Johnson (MINN), JD Spielman (NEB)
Receiving TD’s: Tyler Johnson (MINN)
After this year, Tyler Johnson could be one of the first wide receivers picked in the 2020 draft. Johnson is a large-bodied WR with long arms. He may not have the fastest 40 time, but he is large enough to go over people, play side to side, and has great hands. Johnson took a massive jump from 2017 to 2018, catching double the amount of passes from the year before. The Minnesota coaches have nothing but good things to say about the wide-out. He was 2nd in yards and tied 1st in touchdowns in 2018. Johnson looks to take the next step and make his name known among the best in the country.
Runner-Ups: Rondale Moore (MINN), K.J. Hill (OSU)
Sacks: Chase Young (OSU)
The Ohio State defensive end, who may potentially be the #1 overall pick in the 2020 draft, had a very impressive 2018 season. With Nick Bosa going down in week 3 against TCU, Young had to step up and be the leader of the D-line. Young recorded 11 sacks last year, which was tied 1st in the Big Ten, only to A.J. Epenesa. This was also in a year when Ohio State’s defense took a little step back, especially knowing Nick Bosa was gone for good. With most of their defense coming back, and a competitive chip on his shoulder, Chase Young looks to show why he is the best defensive lineman, not only in the Big Ten, but in all of college football.
Runner-Ups: A.J. Epenesa (IOWA), Kenny Willekes (MSU)
Interceptions: Geno Stone (IOWA)
Geno Stone and two other players on the Iowa defense were among the top 15 in interceptions last year. Shaun Wade and a few others on the buckeye defense are some contenders in this group. Interceptions are hard to account for, because there’s a lot of unpredictability. However, due to what the Iowa defense was able to do last year creating turnovers, it makes sense to put Stone in the conversation.
Runner-Ups: Shaun Wade (OSU), RaVon Davis (MD)
Conclusion
There are a few players that definitely could make these lists of stats leaders. If a certain player isn’t, it’s not the fact that they can’t lead the Big Ten. There are just others that can be right in front of them. Some players will dominate multiple categories of stats. There are still many great players, that are not listed, that are among the conference leaders.
