The 25 greatest players in Big Ten football history

The legendary Graham actually went to Northwestern for basketball, but as a sophomore, found his way onto the gridiron. When he left the Wildcats program to attend Colgate for pilot training and play basketball, Graham was the Big Ten's passing leader with 2,132 career yards. Graham, a three-time NFL champion and MVP for Cleveland, was a two-time college All-American (first team in 1943) and finished third in the 1943 Heisman Trophy race.

Griese might be best known to most football fans as the quarterback of the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins. However, to those in Big Ten country, he's among the best the conference has ever seen in terms of quarterback play. The two-time, All-Big Ten first-teamer, Griese was runner-up to Steve Spurrier in the 1966 Heisman Trophy race. Also a standout pitcher for the Boilermakers, Griese left Purdue as the program's leader in all-time completions (358) and passing yards (4,541). He's a member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Sticking with the Boilermakers. There is no more prolific passer in Purdue history than Brees, who is the program's leader for completions (1,026), passing yards (11,792), and touchdown passes (90). He was an All-American, two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (1998, 2000) and the league's MVP in 2000, while helping guide the Boilermakers to the Rose Bowl. Sure, Brees became an NFL legend while starring for the Chargers, and notably the New Orleans Saints. Brees is truly one of the great offensive players in college football history.

Perhaps the greatest football player — and athlete — to compete at the University of Illinois, the man known as the "Galloping Ghost" played both college and pro football in the same season. Sporting his famed No. 77, Grange earned the Big Ten's first Most Valuable Player award. According to the NCAA, Grange, considered by many sports historians to be the greatest college football player of all time, rushed for more than 2,000 career yards and passed for nearly 600, while also totaling over 30 touchdowns for the Illini.

The first of three Michigan players to win the Heisman Trophy. Harmon's name is still synonymous with the university's athletic program and an icon in the realm of Big Ten sports. During his three seasons at Michigan, Harmon rushed for 2,151 yards and also threw for nearly 1,400 yards with 16 touchdowns. His 33 career touchdowns broke Red Grange's record at the time. The three-time All-Big Ten first-teamer also led the country in scoring in both 1939 and '40 -- the latter his Heisman-winning campaign. Harmon's No. 98 was retired by the school. He's the father of former UCLA football player and long-time Hollywood star Mark Harmon.

When Keyes left Purdue, he was the school-record holder for career touchdowns (37), points (222), and all-purpose yards (3,757). A top-five Heisman Trophy finalist in 1967 and again in '68. Keyes' 14 rushing touchdowns during the 1968 campaign, when he was named Big Ten Most Valuable Player, rank third in Purdue history. His 29 total rushing touchdowns are fifth-most by a Boilermaker. A two-time All-American, Keyes is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Not only is Griffin the greatest player in Ohio State football history, but perhaps ever in all of the college game. For starters, he is the only player to have won the Heisman Trophy twice -- in 1974 and 1975. He's a three-time All-American and the only player to start in four Rose Bowl games. Griffin's 5,589 career rushing yards are still the most in Ohio State history, while his 924 carries are also an all-time school record. Griffin, who recorded 12 of his 26 rushing touchdowns in 1974, also helped the Buckeyes win four conference championships and was a two-time league MVP.

The 1995 winner of the Heisman Trophy and Big Ten MVP, George ranks fourth in Ohio State history with 3,768 rushing yards. His 1,927 yards from that stellar 1995 campaign are the second-most all-time for a single season in school history. George possessed the perfect blend of size and speed and had no trouble carrying the load. His 683 rushing attempts rank third among all Buckeyes. In addition to the Heisman, George won the Doak Walker, Maxwell, and Walter Camp Awards.

The bruising running back, and Wisconsin's most recent Heisman Trophy winner (1999), rushed for 6,397 non-bowl-game rushing yards (7,125 with those bowls), and was the all-time leader in the era (prior to 2002) when statistics in said bowls were not counted in the career total. Dayne, who is the Big Ten's all-time rushing leader, burst on the scene as a freshman, running for a career-high 1,863 yards and averaging 6.3 per carry. During his historic senior campaign, the two-time All-American and three-time first-team All-Big Ten pick gained 1,834 yards and scored 19 regular-season touchdowns on the ground, giving him a career total of 63 (71 including bowls). Dayne's No. 33 was retired at Wisconsin in 2007.

During the late 1970s and into the 1980s, there were few pass-catchers in the country better than Carter. At 5-feet-11, Carter didn't let his overall lack of size deter him from being a big-time college football star. The Big Ten's Most Valuable Player as a senior in 1982, "AC" finished his career as Michigan's all-time leading receiver with 3,076 yards, which is now second in school history. His 161 receptions and 37 touchdowns also rank within the top five all-time for the Wolverines.   

Howard was the second Michigan football player to win the Heisman Trophy, achieving this honor after his stellar 1991 season, during which he set a school record with 19 receiving touchdowns. Howard, one of the more charismatic players in college football history, is third all-time in Michigan history with 32 career touchdowns while totaling 134 receptions for 2,146 yards. In 1992, Howard was named Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year.  And, who can forget his in-game Heisman pose? 

Born in Canada, Nagurski grew up on the northern border in International Falls, Minn. Though Nagurski has long been considered one of the great offensive linemen of all time, he also spent time at fullback for the Golden Gophers -- notably during the 1928 and '29 seasons. An All-American and member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame, Nagurski once played five different positions (end, tackle, guard, halfback, fullback) during a 1929 contest versus Iowa.

A seven-time NFL Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, Pace is often considered the best offensive lineman in the history of the league. It actually began at Ohio State, where Pace became the second true freshman to start the first game of the season. A two-time consensus All-American, the mammoth Pace won the Lombardi Award in 1995 and '96 and was the Outland Trophy winner and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year during the latter season. He was the NFL's overall No. 1 draft pick in 1997.

At 6-3, 273 pounds, Parker has long been considered one of the most complete offensive linemen in college football history and was honored with the Outland Trophy in 1956. The All-American helped pave the way for the likes of "Hopalong" Cassady (more about him in a bit) to churn out yard after yard on the ground and was an integral part of Ohio State's 1954 national championship team and a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection.

The great Karras hailed from Gary, Ind., but his legendary status as a football player began at the University of Iowa. As a Hawkeye, Karras endured his struggles on and off the field, but by the time his college career had ended, he was the most dominant offensive lineman in the country. A two-time All-American, Karras won the Outland Trophy in 1957, the same year he finished as runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. The College Football Hall of Famer then went on to enjoy a Hall of Fame career in the NFL as a member of the Detroit Lions.

A Texas native, Smith was shunned by the flagship Longhorns due to racial segregation of the time. That proved to be Michigan State's gain. As a Spartan, he helped the program win back-to-back Big Ten championships (1965, '66). A two-time All-American, Smith recorded 30 total tackles (15 solos), including 10 for loss as a senior, despite being double and triple-teamed in most games. Smith, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, went on to be selected first overall by Baltimore in the 1967 NFL Draft. In 2011, the Big Ten celebrated the careers of Smith and Penn State's Courtney Brown by annually honoring the league's best defensive lineman with the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year Award. 

Butkus, who passed away in 2023, is a member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fames, and considered one of the greatest defenders to ever play the game -- at both levels. At Illinois, the bruising and menacing linebacker and Chicago native recorded more than 370 tackles, was a two-time All-American, and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy race in 1963 and third in '64. From there, Butkus cemented his legendary status as one of the greatest Chicago Bears of all time.

Spielman was a two-time consensus All-American and the 1987 Lombardi Award winner while starring for the Buckeyes. He ranks third all-time in school history with 546 tackles, while his 29 recorded against the rival Michigan Wolverines in 1986 are tied for the most in a single Ohio State game. Spielman was a three-time first-team All-Big Ten pick and one of the most beloved players to ever suit up for the Buckeyes. 

At 6-foot-3 and more than 250 pounds, Arrington was quite the physical specimen at Penn State, then during his time in the NFL. He was the first Nittany Lion to win the Butkus Award, honoring the nation's top linebacker. That came in 1999, when he also won the Bednarik Award, given to the country's best defensive player, for recording 20 tackles for loss. For his career, the two-time All-American and co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (1998) totaled 39 tackles for loss -- among the top 10 in school history. His 19 career sacks reside within the school's top 15.

Before Tatum endured a successful, yet infamous, NFL career, he was one of the college game's best defensive backs while at Ohio State. During the late 1960s and into the early 1970s, Tatum refined his hard-hitting skills as a three-year starter for the Buckeyes. He helped Ohio State win the 1968 national championship, was named a two-time All-American, and was tabbed college football's National Defensive Player of the Year in 1970.

Before Woodson's Hall-of-Fame NFL career, notably with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he solidified himself as one of the great defensive backs in college football history. Early in his tenure with the Boilermakers, Woodson proved his worth on both sides of the ball, but he was a two-time All-American cornerback, recording 11 interceptions (then tying the school record) and sits fourth with 445 tackles. Woodson also amassed more than 1,500 yards as one of the Big Ten's greatest return men of all time.

Michigan's third and most recent Heisman winner (1997). Woodson also remains the only player whose primary position was on defense to win the prestigious award. His 18 interceptions rank second all-time in school history. Eight of those picks came in 1997, which is tied for third-most in the annals of Michigan football in terms of single-season accomplishments. The All-American was a three-time All-Big Ten first-team selection. Following his time with the Wolverines, Woodson enjoyed a Hall-of-Fame career in the NFL with the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay.

Known as "The Horse, Ameche has often been considered the greatest football player to suit up for the Badgers. He won the school's first Heisman Trophy in 1954, and is one of six football players to have his number retired by the Wisconsin program. Though he was an early two-way standout for the Badgers, Ameche made his bones as a fullback. In 1951, he became the first freshman to lead the Big Ten in rushing (774 yards). In 1952, Ameche helped lead Wisconsin to its first-ever bowl appearance in the Rose Bowl. Ameche, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, ended his career as the NCAA's all-time rushing leader with 3,345 yards.

Old-school football fans probably know Cassady better by his popular nickname -- "Hopalong." Cassady was the third Ohio State player to win the Heisman Trophy, claiming the honor in 1955. The versatile and multi-talented Cassady totaled 37 touchdowns in 36 games and was part of the Buckeyes' undefeated 1954 national championship squad. A College Football Hall of Famer, Cassady had his No. 40 retired by the school.

The do-it-all Kinnick is a true legend at Iowa and within the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes' fullback stadium is named after the versatile Kinnick, who was the recipient of the 1939 Heisman Trophy. Kinnick's Iowa career concluded with 1,674 rushing yards, 18 interceptions (still tied for the most in program history), and an average of 39.9 yards per punt. A College Football Hall of Famer, Kinnick died in 1943, during a training flight while serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.