Top 25 Football Players in the Big Ten, Part 4

Day four of our countdown sees us inch even closer to the top of our list. Some of Michigan’s best players still have yet to be named with ten spots to go, so it is time to continue to see how the rest of the list shakes out.

10. RB Saquon Barkley, Sophomore, Penn State

Barkley is the best running back in the Big Ten entering 2016 and proved he belonged in his first year, breaking Penn State’s freshman rushing record with 1,076 yards to go along with seven touchdowns. He also had five 100-yard-plus performances. Mind you, this was behind an offensive line that was mostly brutal last season.

The Nittany Lions should be better up front and with Christian Hackenberg in the NFL, Barkley becomes the featured option on the Penn State offense. He could have a lot of say in getting James Franklin off the hot seat this season.

9. DE Chris Wormley, Senior, Michigan

Wormley is a physical specimen that looks the part of a future NFL lineman, but until last season, things had been sort of up and down for him at U-M. That changed in 2015 when he burst onto the scene as a force up from on the defensive line for the Wolverines.

He had 14.5 tackles for loss to go along with 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble as a junior and is the best defensive lineman on a unit that is arguably the best in the country. With another off-season under his belt, Wormley is a potential All-American in 2016.

8. LB Raekwon McMillan, Junior, Ohio State

McMillan is an excellent inside linebacker that has made a big impact on Ohio State’s defense in his first two years with the program. In 2015, he gathered 119 total tackles and defended four passes.

He is physical and has a nose for the football. McMillan is another player that looks like a future first-round pick for the Buckeyes and the spotlight will be on him now after losing many of their stars to the NFL after last season.

7. WR Jehu Chesson, Senior, Michigan

Chesson blossomed from a guy fans were not sure of to one of the best wide receivers in the Big Ten last year and became the player that could take the top off of opposing defenses, something the offense was sorely lacking.

He has always been valuable on special teams and as a run blocker, but burst onto the scene late last season. He had 50 receptions for 764 yards and nine touchdowns -- 27, 405 and six of which came in the final four games of the season.

6. QB JT Barrett, Junior, Ohio State

Ohio State played quarterback roulette last season and that caused its offense to struggle, but Barrett was without question the best player at the position for the Buckeyes.

There is no debate anymore. This is his football team and he is on paper the best quarterback in the conference. As the full-time starter in 2014, he threw for 2834 yards, 34 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while rushing for nearly 1,000 yards. Expect more of that this year from the him. Despite losing the talent they did to the pros, OSU is still very much a threat with Barrett under center.

More:

Top 25 Football Players in the Big Ten - No. 25 through 21

Top 25 Football Players in the Big Ten - No. 20 through 16

Top 25 Football Players in the Big Ten - No. 15 through 11

That’s it for today! Check back in tomorrow for 5-1 on our list of the Big Ten’s top 25 players. Sound off with your thoughts in the comments below!