It’s finally time to release our SIS All-Conference teams. We used our all-encompassing player value stat, Total Points, along with other metrics and our scouting work as leading references in putting together our team of selections for 2022, plus a few honorable mentions.

You can learn more about Total Points and the statistics referenced here.

These picks are meant to honor this season’s best-of-the-best in the Big Ten Conference.

Offense

Leading the discussion on phenomenal play in 2022 is quarterback C.J. Stroud, who nearly led the nation with 41 passing touchdowns. Stroud also produced tremendous value, ending the year in the top-5 amongst all QB’s in the nation in Total Points (TP), Points Above Average (PAA), and Expected Points Added (EPA).

While the quarterbacks always get the glory, 2022 was the year of the star running back in the Big Ten. Minnesota’s Mohamed Ibrahim proved that a torn Achilles in 2021 would not hinder his durability and consistency. He toted the rock 320 times and ended the year tied for the most rushing touchdowns in the nation (20) and 3rd in yards (1665).

Michigan’s Blake Corum was not to be outdone. Though he lost some carries to the dynamic Donovan Edwards, Corum still logged 247 carries, good for 13th in the nation, and found the end zone 18 times on the ground.

After transferring to Michigan for his final year of college football, Olusegun Oluwatimi became a leader and finished the year 1st in Total Points among linemen in the conference and 2nd in PAA among all linemen in the country.

Defense

After two years of defensive play that could rival the historic run from Georgia, Iowa players filled our All Big Ten team. Riley Moss, Cooper DeJean, and Kaevon Merriweather were all top-10 amongst defensive backs in the Big Ten in Points Saved (PS), PAA, and EPA.

The 2022 Illinois defense deserves to be lauded and they were led by All-World cornerback, Devon Witherspoon. Witherspoon led all Big Ten DB’s in PS, PAA, and EPA, as well as finishing top-3 amongst all DB’s in the nation in those three categories and looks to be the first DB off the board in this year’s draft.

Specialists

Jake Moody is the standout here, leading the nation with 29 Field Goals made, while making 83% of his kicks, along with 100% of his PAT’s. He was also viable from distance, making 3 FG from 50 or more yards, one off the nation’s best.

Honorable Mentions

With the phenomenal running back play in the Big Ten this year, Chase Brown became the odd man out for this endeavor. His 328 carries was second in the nation and his 1,643 yards was good for fourth. 

Perhaps no player in the country changed their national perspective more than Purdue’s Charlie Jones, Chucky Sizzle if you’re nasty. After accumulating only 21 catches in two years at Iowa, Jones teamed up with childhood friend and Purdue QB, Aidan O’Connel. Jones proceeded to lead the nation in receptions, as well as finish 2nd in yards and 5th in touchdowns.

While Iowa has played lights out defense the past two years, Penn State looks to be primed to produce in a similar fashion in 2023. With studs at every level all playing in their second or third year, Manny Diaz has every tool desirable to make a run at the Broyles award in 2023 and earn another shot at a head coaching gig.

After transferring in from Maryland, Chop Robinson hit the ground running and produced the second most pressures in the conference. In the secondary, Kalen King finished top-5 in the Big Ten in PS, PAA, and EPA on pass plays.

Total Points, stats, and ranks as of 2/2/2023