The Big Ten has announced its player lineup for preseason media days and the annual kickoff luncheon, to be held July 26-27 in Chicago. All 12 head coaches will be in attendance.
Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson will speak on behalf of the players at the kickoff luncheon July 27. He has a very tough act to follow (Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins hit a home run with his speech in 2011), but it's great to see Robinson, shy and reserved at the start of his career, reach this point.
Here's the full lineup:
ILLINOIS
Michael Buchanan, DE, senior
Graham Pocic, C, senior
Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, junior
INDIANA
Larry Black, DT, senior
Will Matte, C, senior
Adam Replogle, DT, senior
IOWA
James Ferentz, C, senior
Micah Hyde, CB, senior
James Vandenberg, QB, senior
MICHIGAN
Jordan Kovacs, S, senior
Taylor Lewan, OT, junior
Denard Robinson, QB, senior
MICHIGAN STATE
Max Bullough, LB, senior
Andrew Maxwell, QB, junior
Chris Norman, LB, senior
MINNESOTA
Keanon Cooper, LB, senior
MarQueis Gray, QB, senior
Ed Olson, OT, junior
NEBRASKA
Rex Burkhead, RB, senior
Will Compton, LB, senior
Kyler Reed, TE, senior
NORTHWESTERN
Kain Colter, QB, junior
Brian Mulroe, G, senior
David Nwabuisi, LB, senior
OHIO STATE
Zach Boren, FB, senior
Etienne Sabino, LB, junior
John Simon, DE, senior
PENN STATE
Jordan Hill, DT, senior
Silas Redd, RB, junior
John Urschel, G, senior
PURDUE
Ricardo Allen, CB, junior
Kawann Short, DT, senior
Caleb TerBush, QB, senior
WISCONSIN
Montee Ball, RB, senior
Mike Taylor, LB, senior
Ricky Wagner, OT, senior
Some quick thoughts:
Of the years I've covered Big Ten media days, this is one of the better player contingents. It includes seven quarterbacks, which is a so-so number, but Robinson, Vandenberg, Gray, Scheelhaase, Colter and TerBush are all recognizable names, and it's good to see Michigan State acknowledging Maxwell's leadership role by bringing him to media days as a first-year starter. Ball is an obvious choice, and it's good to see him on the list.
That said, there are always players I'd love to see at this event who aren't attending. Michigan State defensive end William Gholston is at the top of my list. He's a national awards candidate and a guy who would get a lot of attention in Chicago. Would he hug it out with Michigan's Lewan? Unlikely. Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez isn't the best talker, but he seems to be slowly warming up to the media. It'd also be great to see Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller, although he's just a sophomore. If someone from Nebraska can get wide receiver Kenny Bell to Chicago, my fellow scribes and I would be eternally grateful.
Purdue bringing TerBush is significant, as it further acknowledges him as a team leader and the top quarterback entering fall camp. He exited the spring as the Boilers' top signal-caller, and while Robert Marve and Rob Henry are lurking, TerBush remains the man to beat.
Best talkers among the group: Scheelhaase, Hyde, Vandenberg, Lewan, Gray, Nwabuisi, Compton, Redd, Short and Ball.
What are you thoughts on the media-day rundown? Any surprises?