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There’s a lot of hype for several offensive players entering the B1G football season in 2019. The conference is loaded with playmakers.
With so many statistical leaders returning to the field in 2019 — as well as a few important newcomers — it’s hard to decide who will be the favorite to win the B1G Offensive Player of the Year Award at the end of next season. So, like we did with the Defensive Player of the Year Award earlier this week, we narrowed the list down to five candidates.
Here are the five offensive stars who are early favorites to claim the award:
Adrian Martinez, QB, Nebraska
There aren’t many players in the country who are receiving as much hype as Martinez. After throwing for more than 2,600 yards, rushing for over 600 more and accounting for 25 total touchdowns, Martinez is expected to take a big leap from Year 1 to Year 2. Not only in the rising sophomore more acquainted with Scott Frost’s offense, there should be a few more playmakers surrounding him and an improved offensive line. With Martinez’s skill set, the Huskers have the ability to be the most productive offensive unit in the B1G.
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
Over 4,000 yards in two seasons speaks for itself. Taylor has been the top running back in the B1G the last two seasons and led the nation in rushing a year ago. Should he stick around for another two years, he could potentially break Ron Dayne’s rushing record, too. Taylor will be the focal point of the Badgers’ offense again next fall and he’s more than capable of carrying a heavy workload. The big question is the offensive line and whether he’ll have to be shiftier when trying to break open a big play. Losing four starters from the offensive line could hinder the running back’s production in 2019, but he’s still a candidate to be the league’s offensive player of the year.
Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
If you want to talk about the most explosive player in the B1G, the conversation begins and ends with Rondale Moore. He’s capable of turning a 5-yard loss into a 75-yard touchdown with his speed, vision and elusiveness. Not many guys in college football can do that consistently. Moore will be the top receiver for Purdue’s offense again this season after leading the conference in receiving yards (1,258) and touchdown catches (12). He could be used even more than last fall, as the Boilermakers lose several key pieces at the skill positions. Moore is talented enough to claim this award, but the trouble with wide receivers is whether they’ll touch the football enough. That shouldn’t be an issue for Moore.
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Fields didn’t look too crisp in Ohio State’s spring game, but it’s hard to hold that performance against him. He’s been in Columbus for only a few months and still gelling with a new group while learning a new offense. With so many playmakers around him and his dual-threat abilities, Fields will have the opportunity to put up some big numbers in the fall. He may not be at the same level as his predecessor Dwayne Haskins, but not many can put up that stat line. There are still some questions about Fields, but once he settles in, he’ll be one of the top quarterbacks in the B1G.
Shea Patterson, QB, Michigan
Maybe it’s the excitement of Josh Gattis running the offense or perhaps it’s Patterson’s drive to return to Ann Arbor with a chip on his shoulder that gets him on this list. He isn’t the sexiest pick to win the award at the end of the 2019 season, but if Gattis’ offense utilizes Patterson’s skills the right way, he has the potential to lead an explosive Michigan offense and contend in the B1G East. There are a ton of great offensive players returning in the B1G, but Patterson might be the most intriguing considering the changes the Wolverines have made in the offseason.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB