We are less than a month away from the start of the college football season and everyone is releasing their preseason All-American lists. Undaunted, we wanted to get in on the act and go through our All-Big Ten football squad for the 2021 season. We’ll start with the sexy, offensive side of the ball, with the defense coming later in the week.

I have tried to be as unbias as possible when creating this team but there is still a very scarlet and gray hue to it all as you would expect. Some will probably argue that it could have been more. The following is a breakdown of players from each team on the offensive side:

Illinois: 0

Indiana: 0

Iowa: 1

Maryland: 0

Michigan: 0

Michigan State: 0

Minnesota: 2

Nebraska: 0

Northwestern: 0

Ohio State: 4

Penn State: 2

Purdue: 0

Rutgers: 0

Wisconsin: 3

QB: Graham Mertz, Wisconsin

Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz (5) and offensive lineman Logan Bruss (60) leave the field after their game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern beat Wisconsin 17-7.
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Graham Mertz had an insane first collegiate game when he tossed a school-record five touchdowns, but the sophomore came back down to Earth during the back half of the season. Mertz has elite ability and I expect him to take a big step forward.

RB: Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota

Dec 19, 2020; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) runs the ball against the Wisconsin Badgers during the second half at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports

Mohamed Ibrahim won the Big Ten’s Running Back of the Year in 2020 after rushing for 1,076 yards and 15 touchdowns in the COVID-19 shortened season.

RB: Master Teague, Ohio State

Ohio State running back Master Teague III had 514 yards rushing and a team-high eight touchdowns in 2020, remarkable considering he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in spring practice.
Ohio State Football Spring Game

The Ohio State backfield is loaded, but Master Teague is the leader in the clubhouse in a green unit. With a new, inexperienced quarterback taking snaps, the offense will likely rely more heavily on Teague early in the season.

AP: Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson, here leaving the field after the spring game April 17, has caught 73 passes for 1,155 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons.
Ohio State Football Spring Game

Garrett Wilson gets the nod at my all-purpose slot because he is one of the most athletically gifted players in the country. His ability to accelerate, his elite route-running, and top-notch hand-eye coordination are a death sentence for defensive backs.

WR: Chris Olave, Ohio State

Chris Olave caught seven touchdowns in seven games last season, including two in a College Football Playoff semifinal win over Clemson.
Ohio State Football Spring Game

Much like Wilson, Olave is just a physical freak that has elite take-off speed and is also a phenomenal route-runner. Olave is the prototypical receiver and would have been selected early had he declared for the NFL draft last year.

WR: Jahan Dotson, Penn State

Apr 17, 2021; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) looks on during the Penn State spring practice at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Alberti-USA TODAY Sports

Jahan Dotson led the Big Ten in receiving yards last season with 884 on 52 receptions, while also scoring eight touchdowns. Dotson is also an incredible punt returner, averaging 24.6 yards on his eight returns last season.

TE: Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin

Dec 12, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Wisconsin Badgers tight end Jake Ferguson (84) runs the ball after a reception during the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Ferguson, much like Chris Olave, would have been drafted early in the NFL draft had he declared after last season. Ferguson will likely be Mertz’s main target this year and put up some huge numbers.

C: Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

Iowa offensive linemen Tyler Linderbaum, from left, Kyler Schott and Jeremy Chaplin run up the field during the final Hawkeyes spring football practice of the season, Saturday, May 1, 2021, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Tyler Linderbaum is the leader of one of the more talented offensive lines in the country and is an integral part of the impressive Hawkeye rushing attack.

OL: Logan Brown, Wisconsin

Logan Brown is expected to take on the role of starting left tackle this season for Wisconsin after sitting and learning last year. Brown is a former five-star recruit with big-time potential.

OL: Rasheed Walker, Penn State

Apr 17, 2021; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions offensive lineman Rasheed Walker (53) looks on during the Penn State spring practice at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Alberti-USA TODAY Sports

Rasheed Walker is already slotted as a future first-round pick in Happy Valley and will be entering his third season as the starting left tackle. He is one of the best in the nation.

OL: Thayer Munford, Ohio State

Tackle Thayer Munford is 6-6 and 321 pounds and is regarded for his pass protection.
Ohio State Football Spring Game

Thayer Munford is reliable, consistent, and rarely gets beat. That is really all you can ask for in an experienced, top-tier offensive tackle. Munford will be in the conversation for the early rounds in the next NFL draft.

OL: Daniel Faalele, Minnesota

Jan 4, 2018; Orlando, FL, USA; Team Highlight offensive tackle Daniel Faalele (72) and teammates celebrate as they beat the Team Spotlight at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

A massive human being, Faalele opted out of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he is expected to come back in better shape which should allow for him to be even more athletic.

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