Who is the best player in the Big Ten?
The balance of power in the Big Ten clearly rests with Ohio State and the East Division in 2015. The Buckeyes are a heavy favorite to repeat as college football’s national champion, and one look at the expert poll results for the best players in the Big Ten solidifies why coach Urban Meyer’s team is the No. 1 pick for 2015.
Ohio State had four players voted among the top six, including two quarterbacks – J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones – while defensive end Joey Bosa was voted No. 1 among the experts polled by Athlon Sports. Additionally, Michigan State had two of the top six selections in this poll, and no player from a West Division team finished among the top 10 in this vote.
With the season right around the corner, Athlon Sports sought to answer this question: Who are the best 15 players in the Big Ten for 2015?
In order to rank the top 15 players in the Big Ten for 2015, Athlon Sports sought the insight of several experts from the conference. The voting process was simple. Using criteria such as career performance so far, 2015 potential/projection, pro outlook, recruiting ranking, value to team or overall talent, each voter was asked to rank their top 15 players for 2015.
A point system was assigned, giving 15 points for a player with a No. 1 vote, 14 points for a No. 2 vote, 13 points for a No. 3 vote and so on.
The Voters
Ranking the Big Ten's Best Players for 2015 (Experts Poll)
| Rank | Player | Team | Total Points |
| 1 |
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State (24 first-place votes) |
 |
501 |
| 2 |
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (7 first-place votes) |
|
471 |
| 3 |
Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State (2 first-place votes) |
 |
392 |
| 4 |
J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State (2 first-place votes) |
|
337 |
| 5 | Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State | |
317 |
| 6 | Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State | |
243 |
| 7 | Anthony Zettel, DT, Penn State |  |
238 |
| 8 | Taylor Decker, OT, Ohio State | |
225 |
| 9 | Jack Conklin, OT, Michigan State | |
214 |
| 10 | Darron Lee, LB, Ohio State | |
183 |
| 11 | Corey Clement, RB, Wisconsin |  |
169 |
| 12 | Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State | |
153 |
| 13 | Jack Allen, C, Michigan State | |
116 |
| 14 | Maliek Collins, DT, Nebraska |  |
96 |
| 15 | Leonte Carroo, WR, Rutgers |  |
68 |
| 16 | Vonn Bell, S, Ohio State | |
63 |
| 17 | Braxton Miller, WR, Ohio State | |
56 |
| 18 | Adolphus Washington, DT, Ohio State | |
46 |
| 19 | De'Mornay Pierson-El, WR/RS, Nebraska | |
32 |
| 20 | DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Penn State | |
29 |
| 21 | Joshua Perry, LB, Ohio State | |
27 |
| 22 | Michael Caputo, S, Wisconsin | |
23 |
| 23 | Drew Ott, DE, Iowa |  |
22 |
| 24 | Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan |  |
21 |
| 25 | Justin Jackson, RB, Northwestern |  |
14 |
| 26T | Eric Murray, CB, Minnesota |  |
11 |
| 26T | Jordan Howard, RB, Indiana |  |
11 |
| 26T | Jordan Lucas, S, Penn State | |
11 |
| 29 | Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State | |
10 |
| 30T | Pat Elflein, OG, Ohio State | |
9 |
| 30T | Michael Thomas, WR, Ohio State | |
9 |
| 32T | Jake Butt, TE, Michigan | |
7 |
| 32T | De'Vondre Campbell, LB, Minnesota | |
7 |
| 34T | William Likely, CB, Maryland |  |
6 |
| 34T | Tyler Marz, LT, Wisconsin | |
6 |
| 34T | Nate Gerry, S, Nebraska | |
6 |
| 34T | Tanner McEvoy, WR/S, Wisconsin | |
6 |
| 34T | Brad Craddock, P, Maryland | |
6 |
| 39T | Raekwon McMillan, LB, Ohio State | |
5 |
| 39T | Wes Lunt, QB, Illinois |  |
5 |
| 39T | Ja'Whaun Bentley, LB, Purdue |  |
5 |
| 39T | Vincent Valentine, DT, Nebraska | |
5 |
| 43T | Jake Rudock, QB, Michigan | |
4 |
| 43T | Dan Voltz, C, Wisconsin | |
4 |
| 45T | Jake Duzey, TE, Iowa | |
3 |
| 45T | Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB, Minnesota | |
3 |
| 47 | Nate Sudfeld, QB, Indiana | |
2 |
| 48T | Frankie Williams, DB, Purdue | |
1 |
| 48T | Sam Foltz, P, Nebraska | |
1 |
| 48T | Vince Biegel, LB, Wisconsin | |
1 |
| 48T | Lawrence Thomas, DE/DT, Michigan State | |
1 |
