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B1G fireworks: The most explosive players in the Big Ten in 2023

Alex Hickey

By Alex Hickey

Published:

On this July 4th, allow us to remember the inspiring words of a great American patriot — Joe Dirt.

Although Independence Day is your best opportunity to see a fireworks show on an annual basis, it is not the only one. There will be plenty of fireworks coming to Big Ten football fields this autumn — and these are the players most likely to provide the show.

Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

Allen is the only Big Ten running back with multiple carries of 70 yards or more in each of the past 2 seasons. Defenses have to keep Allen in front of them — once he gets past the secondary, it’s over.

Cooper DeJean, Iowa

DeJean is perhaps the most likely Hawkeye to score a touchdown once he gets his hands on the ball. And this being Iowa, that means we’re talking about a cornerback/punt returner.

Last season, DeJean averaged an astounding 18.2 yards per return on his 5 interceptions, 3 of which he brought back to the house. That number is even crazier considering that 1 of those interceptions was downed in the end zone for a touchback, thus lowering his average.

He’s also one of the Big Ten’s best punt returners, averaging 16.5 yards per return last year. He only got 10 opportunities to return punts, though, because it’s usually a mistake if the opposing team doesn’t force a fair catch.

Donovan Edwards, Michigan

Blake Corum is Michigan’s most complete running back, but Donovan Edwards has another gear that makes him a scoring threat from anywhere on the field. Edwards led the B1G with 5 gains of 50 yards or more in 2022 despite ranking 14th in the conference in carries.

He and Corum will form the B1G’s most formidable backfield this season.

Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

There is not another team in the country on which Emeka Egbuka would be the second-most explosive wide receiver, but such is Ohio State’s embarrassment of riches at the position. And it’s part of the reason the Buckeyes should be just fine despite replacing the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft at quarterback.

Egbuka was second in the B1G with 5 receptions of 40 yards or more last year.

Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Egbuka was second in receptions of more than 40 yards because teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. was first with 6 such catches.

In 2023, Harrison may well prove himself to be the best college receiver, period, since Pitt’s Larry Fitzgerald.

Roman Hemby, Maryland

Hemby is a pure home run hitter.

Example? He only ranked 9th in the B1G with 6 carries of 20 yards or more — but each of those carries went for at least 30 yards. Half of them were over 50 yards. And a pair of them went more than 70 yards.

If he can get to the third level, he’s gone.

TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Injuries limited Henderson from replicating the sheer explosiveness of his freshman season, but there is optimism he will return to fully explosive form this fall.

In 2021, he was second only to Braelon Allen and tied Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III with 8 carries of at least 30 yards. If fully healthy, Henderson may not be second to anyone.

AJ Henning, Northwestern

That’s no typo — Henning is now a Wildcat after 3 years at Michigan. And he could be a high-impact transfer for Pat Fitzgerald.

Henning led all Big Ten punt returners with 3 returns of at least 30 yards last season. We should get more opportunities to see what he can do with the ball in his hands as a receiver at Northwestern.

Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

Johnson has potential to be Iowa’s most explosive offensive player since … dare I say Tim Dwight?

As a freshman, Johnson was second in the B1G with 5 kickoff returns of at least 30 yards. He was also third in the league in carries of at least 40 yards with 5 — an impressive feat considering no defense was terribly worried about the Hawkeyes burning them through the air.

If Johnson gets some help from Cade McNamara and a more competent passing attack this year — look out, world.

Jaylin Lucas, Indiana

There was exactly 1 Division I football player in the United States with multiple kickoff return touchdowns last season: Indiana’s Jaylin Lucas.

Keeping this modern-day Devin Hester from entering the transfer portal was one of Indiana’s major offseason wins. Now the Hoosiers need to find creative ways to get Lucas the ball on offense to make his stay worthwhile. There’s a chance he’ll prove to be the Big Ten’s most explosive player.

Nick Singleton, Penn State

Nick Singleton’s arrival helped revive a Penn State running game that had run aground since Saquon Barkley left for the NFL.

Singleton had 9 carries of at least 30 yards last season — 3 more than any other Big Ten running back. He also led the way with 7 gains of 40 yards or more.

Singleton, Allen, Hemby and Edwards are the lone Big Ten backs who had multiple gains of at least 70 yards in 2022.

Singleton also was the only B1G player other than Lucas to return a kickoff for a touchdown last season.

Tarheeb Still, Maryland

Tarheeb Still only has 1 career touchdown for Maryland, but it was a magnificent display of his explosive potential. If he can get his hands on some interceptions this season, he’ll have a chance to further demonstrate that.

Isaiah Williams, Illinois

Not to be confused with former Illinois quarterback Isiah “Juice” Williams, this Isaiah Williams is poised to build a legacy of his own.

Williams led the B1G in punt return average last season, but he’s no one-trick pony. He also finished second in the country with 683 yards after catch. By the end of 2023, Williams has a chance to firmly establish himself as the Big Ten’s top receiver who isn’t a Buckeye.

Alex Hickey

Alex Hickey is an award-winning writer who has watched Big Ten sports since it was a numerically accurate description of league membership. Alex has covered college football and basketball since 2008, with stops on the McNeese State, LSU and West Virginia beats before being hired as Saturday Tradition's Big Ten columnist in 2021. He is an Illinois native and 2004 Indiana University graduate.