By The Big Ten Conference has traditionally been known as a league for its toughness and ground-and-pound way of playing football. Three yards and a cloud of dust have been said often during Big Ten games.
Good running backs and big offensive lines are needed to compete in the Big Ten and frankly, five years ago, the Oregon Ducks probably wouldn’t have done well in the league. But under Dan Lanning, improving the offensive line and the size of the tailbacks have vastly improved in just the last few seasons.
So much so that Athlon Sports has ranked the Oregon tailbacks near the top of the Big Ten heading into the 2024 season. Here is the complete list and names fans should get familiar with.
18
Indiana Hoosiers
Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
Projected Starter: Justice Ellison
Other Names to Know
— Kaelon Black
— Ty Son Lawton
17
Northwestern Wildcats
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Cam Porter
Other Names to Know
— Joseph Himon II
— Caleb Komolafe
16
Illinois Fighting Illini
Ron Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Kaden Feagin
Other Names to Know
— Josh McCray
— Aiden Laughery
15
Purdue Boilermakers
Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Devin Mockobee
Other Names to Know
— Reggie Love III
— Jaheim Merriweather
— Elijah Jackson
14
Washington Huskies
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Jonah Coleman
Other Names to Know
— Daniyel Ngata
— Cameron Davis
— Adam Mohammed
13
Michigan State Spartans
Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
Projected Starter: Nate Carter
Other Names to Know
— Quinshon Judkins
— Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams
— Brandon Tullis
— Makhi Frazier
12
Nebraska Cornhuskers
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Gabe Ervin, Jr.
Other Names to Know
— Rahmir Johnson
— Emmett Johnson
— Dante Dowdell
— Kwinten Ives
11
UCLA Bruins
Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: TJ Harden
Other Names to Know
— Keegan Jones
— Deshun Murrell
10
Maryland Terrapins
David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Roman Hemby
Other Names to Know
— Nolan Ray
— Colby McDonald
9
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Darius Taylor
Other Names to Know
— Sieh Bangura
— Marcus Major
— Jordan Nubin
— Fame Ijeboi
8
Iowa Hawkeyes
Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Leshon Williams
Other Names to Know
— Kaleb Johnson
— Max White
7
USC Trojans
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Woody Marks
Other Names to Know
— Quinten Joyner
— A’Marion Peterson
6
Wisconsin Badgers
Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Chez Mellusi
Other Names to Know
— Tawee Walker
— Jackson Acker
— Cade Yacamelli
5
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Kyle Monangai
Other Names to Know
— Samuel Brown V
— Ja’shon Benjamin
4
Michigan Wolverines
Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Donovan Edwards
Other Names to Know
— Kalel Mullings
— Benjamin Hall
— Tavierre Dunlap
— Cole Cabana
3
Oregon Ducks
Lydia Ely/Getty Images
Projected Starter: Jordan James
Other Names to Know
— Noah Whittington
— Jay Harris
— Jayden Limar
2
Penn State Nittany Lions
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: Nicholas Singleton
Other Names to Know
— Kaytron Allen
— Cam Wallace
1
Ohio State Buckeyes
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Projected Starter: TreVeyon Henderson
Other Names to Know
— Quinshon Judkins
— James Peoples
— Sam Williams-Dixon
— TC Caffey
