2024 Big Ten College Football Preseason CFN Awards: Complete List of Team and Individual Honors
The Big Ten is getting ready for a massive preseason push. The new 18-team league stretches from Wisconsin to New Jersey and promises many of the team's top football teams. One thing the Big Ten lacks is a unified preseason media poll. Enter the good folks at College Football Network into the breach. They've announced their preseason honors, and here's a run-down and some thoughts.
2024 CFN Big Ten College Football Preseason Team Honors
Player of the Year: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Offensive Player of the Year: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
Defensive Player of the Year: Will Johnson, Michigan
Specialist of the Year: Zachariah Branch, USC
Newcomer of the Year: D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
Coach of the Year: Dan Lanning, Oregon
Offensive Transfer of the Year: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Defensive Transfer of the Year: D'Angelo Ponds, Indiana
Impact Freshman of the Year: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Thoughts on the Honors
CFN is deeply impressed with Oregon, as Lanning drew Coach of the Year honors over Ohio State's Ryan Day and Penn State's James Franklin. Dillon Gabriel was picked both overall Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, but interestingly, not Offensive Transfer of the Year.
Another intriguing aspect is the respect for cornerback D'Angelo Ponds of Indiana. The 5-foot-9 Ponds was outstanding last year at James Madison. It'll be a substantial jump to the Big Ten, but CFN is obviously buying in on Ponds.
Preseason Big Ten Offensive Honors
QB of the Year: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
RB of the Year: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
WR of the Year: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
TE of the Year: Colston Loveland, Michigan
OT of the Year: Josh Conerly, Oregon
OG of the Year: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
C of the Year: Jonah Monheim, USC
OL of the Year: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
Team OL of the Year: Oregon
Offensive Newcomer of the Year: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Thoughts on the Honors
CFN certainly appreciates the Ohio State offense, with Donovan Jackson and Quinshon Judkins winning multiple honors each. The continued respect for Gabriel and Oregon continues, but CFN expects Oregon and OSU to be the top offenses in the Big Ten.
Preseason All-Big Ten Offense 2024
QB: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
RB: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
RB: Donovan Edwards, Michigan
WR: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
WR: Evan Stewart, Oregon
WR: Tez Johnson, Oregon
TE: Colston Loveland, Michigan
FLEX: Zachariah Branch, USC
OT: Josh Conerly, Oregon
OG: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
OC: Jonah Monheim, USC
OG: Tyler Cooper, Minnesota
OT: Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
Thoughts on the Honors
The trends noted above continue. Five of the 13 offensive picks are Oregon players, while three more are Buckeyes. Two Michigan and two USC players made the list, with Minnesota's Tyler Cooper the lone outlier. If CFN's picks live up to their billing, keep an eye on Ohio State and Oregon this fall.
What do you think about CFN's All-Big Ten picks? Weigh in below with your thoughts on their choices and any relevant omissions.