The Big Ten Conference did not produce a preseason coaches poll or an all-conference team, but members of the media honored twelve players as this season’s ‘Players to Watch’ as media days began today in Chicago, and two Huskers were among the dozen named. Linebacker Lavonte David and defensive lineman Jared Crick were two of the five players from the Big Ten’s Legends Division to be named Players to Watch. David and Crick both earned All-America honors last year and have been named to the watch list to a pair of awards that honor the country’s best defensvie player, the Nagurski Trophy and Bednarik Award. Other Legends Division Players to Watch were Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa, and Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch List
Legends Division
Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska
Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern
Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan
 
Leaders Division
Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
Damarlo Belcher, WR, Indiana
Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State
Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State
Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, Illinois
John Simon, DT, Ohio State
James White, RB, Wisconsin