Big Ten Football: The 50 Greatest Players of All Time

From Heisman winners to Hall of Famers, the Big Ten has a rich and storied history that has been written by some of the greatest football players of all time.

Let's take a minute and reflect on some of the Big Ten's greatest*.

*(Presented in no particular order because I'm not crazy enough to try and rank them, and when you are talking about the best 50 players of the past century, you've pretty much hit a plateau where differentiations between players are little more than petty arguments between homers. Also, this list skews toward the modern era because I'm not 90.)

Drew Brees: Purdue

Position: Quarterback

Why he's here: Set Big Ten records in yards, touchdowns, completions and attempts and was quite possibly the most successful Purdue quarterback.

Bob Griese: Purdue

Position: Quarterback

Why he's here: Hall of Famer at both levels, and would've won the Heisman if it weren't for Steve Spurrier.

Rod Woodson: Purdue

Position: Defensive Back

Why he's here: Set 13 defensive records at Purdue, and a Hall of Famer too*.

*(Bonus points for playing into my rhyme scheme)

John Cappelletti: Penn State

Position: Running Back

Why he's here:  The aforementioned Heisman rule, as well as the fact that Joe Paterno called him, "the best player I ever coached."  No small statement coming from a man who has coached a few good players.

Larry Johnson: Penn State

Position: Running Back

Why he's here:  You try leaving a guy off this list who rushed for 21,59 yards in a season at eight yards per carry (and doubled as a defensive end). The Doak Walker, Maxwell and Walter Camp award voters agree.

LaVar Arrington: Penn State

Position: Linebacker

Why he's here: This two time all-American also won the Butkus, Bednarik and Lambert awards as a junior in college. One of the best linebackers ever to come out of Linebacker U.

Paul Posluszny: Penn State

Position: Linebacker

Why he's here: This two time all-American was also one of only two players to win the Bednarik award two years in a row.

Kerry Collins: Penn State

Position: Quarterback

Why he's here: Won the Maxwell and Davey O'Brien Awards and nearly set the NCAA single season pass efficiency record.

Tom Harmon: Michigan

Position: Halfback

Why he's here: Some consider him the greatest player in Michigan history, and there is a good argument for that seeing as the man won a Heisman Trophy and a Maxwell award.

Desmond Howard: Michigan

Position: Wide Receiver

Why he's here: Heisman trophy winner along with the Maxwell, Walter Camp and All-American honors. Now a College Football Hall of Fame honoree.

Charles Woodson: Michigan

Position: Defensive back

Why he's here: The only defensive player ever to win the Heisman, who also won about every other major award that year—including the Walter Camp, Nagurski, Bednarik, and Thorpe awards among others.

Anthony Carter: Michigan

Position: Wide Receiver

Why he's here: Three time all-American left Michigan as the career leader in almost every receiving and returning category.

Tyrone Wheatley: Michigan

Position: Running Back

Why he's here: Best Michigan running back of the modern era was also Big Ten Player of the Year and held a number of Michigan rushing records.

Braylon Edwards: Michigan

Position: Wide Receiver

Why he's here: One of only three receivers in NCAA history to gain over 1,000 yards in three seasons, and also won Big Ten player of the year and the Biletnikoff award.

Brad Van Pelt: Michigan State

Position: Linebacker

Why he's here: Two time all-American and Maxwell award winner was also a seven-time letter winner at MSU also playing baseball and basketball.

Charles Rogers: Michigan State

Position: Wide Receiver

Why he's here: Biletnikoff winner and All-American set an NCAA record with a touchdown reception in 13 straight games.

Percy Snow: Michigan State

Position: Linebacker

Why he's here: Snow won the Butkus and Lombardi Awards and was an All-American.

Bubba Smith: Michigan State

Position: Defensive End

Why he's here: Two time All-American earned a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Greg Jones: Michigan State

Position: Linebacker

Why he's here: Two time all-American, freshman all-American and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

Archie Griffin: Ohio State

Position: Running back

Why he's here: Among all the other accomplishments of Griffin's career, he won two Heisman trophiesthe only player to ever do so.  That is more than enough for inclusion on this list.

Cris Carter: Ohio State

Position: Wide Receiver

Why he's here: One of the best receivers in the history of Ohio State went on to be one of the best receivers in the history of the NFL.

Troy Smith: Ohio State

Position: Quarterback

Why he's here: Heisman trophy, Walter Camp and Davey O'Brien award winner led the Buckeyes to the BCS championship game.

Eddie George: Ohio State

Position: Running back

Why he's here: Heisman trophy, Walter Camp, Maxwell and Doak Walker award winner.  'Nuff said.

James Laurinaitis: Ohio State

Position: Linebacker

Why he's here: Three time All-American won the Nagurski, Butkus and Lott trophies.

David Boston: Ohio State

Position: Wide Receiver

Why he's here: Receiving record holder at Ohio State was also an All-American.

Nile Kinnick: Iowa

Position: Quarterback

Why he's here: Only Iowa player to win the Heisman trophy was also good enough to get the stadium named after him.

Cal Jones: Iowa

Position: Offensive Guard

Why he's here:  One of two Iowa players to have his jersey retired, as well as being the first African-American to win the Outland trophy.

Chuck Long: Iowa

Position: Quarterback

Why he's here: Held every relevant passing record in Iowa football history and was the first Big Ten quarterback to pass for over 10,000 yards.

Larry Station: Iowa

Position: Linebacker

Why he's here: Two time All-American and College Football Hall of Famer set the record for career tackles at Iowa.

Red Grange: Illinois

Position: Halfback

Why he's here: Three time All-American considered one of the greatest early era football players of all time, and one of two Illinois players to have his jersey retired.

Dick Butkus: Illinois

Position: Linebacker

Why he's here: Considered one of the best linebackers in the history of football, and good enough that his name is on the trophy given out to the top linebacker each year.

Jim Grabowski: Illinois

Position: Running back

Why he's here: Third in Heisman voting, Big Ten player of the year and College Football Hall of Fame honoree.

Anthony Thompson: Indiana

Position: Running back

Why he's here: Won the Walter Camp and Maxwell awards and was one of three players to win the Chicago Tribune's Silver Football Award twice.

Antwaan Randle El: Indiana

Position: Quarterback

Why he's here: Finished fifth on the NCAA's total yardage list, won the Tribune's Silver Football Award and was the first player in NCAA history to gain 2,500 yards or more of total offense four straight years.

Otto Graham: Northwestern

Position: Tailback

Why he's here: Finished third in Heisman voting his senior year and set a school record in total offensive yards that would stand for 20 years.

Pat Fitzgerald: Northwestern

Position: Linebacker

Why he's here: Won the Big Ten Defensive Player of the year, Nagurski and Bednarik awards all two years in a row, the first player to do so.  Also, a pretty good coach.

Brett Basanez: Northwestern

Position: Quarterback

Why he's here: Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year also set about every passing record in Northwestern school history.

Ron Dayne: Wisconsin

Position: Running back

Why he's here: Heisman Trophy winner set the NCAA career rushing yardage record and won about every other relevant award.

Alan Ameche: Wisconsin

Position: Fullback/Linebacker

Why he's here: Heisman trophy winner set the NCAA career rushing yardage with over 3,000 yards.

Lee Evans: Wisconsin

Position: Wide Receiver

Why he's here: Holds most of Wisconsin's career, season and single game receiving records, including most yards and touchdowns for all three categories.

Joe Thomas: Wisconsin

Position: Offensive Tackle

Why he's here: Won the Outland Trophy and was an All-American selection.

Johnny Rodgers: Nebraska

Position: Wingback

Why he's here: Heisman trophy winner also won the Walter Camp award.

Mike Rozier: Nebraska

Position: Running back

Why he's here: Won the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Award and a number of Player of the Year awards in his final season.

Eric Crouch: Nebraska

Position: Quarterback

Why he's here: Won the Heisman Trophy, the Walter Camp Award and the Davey O'Brien Award. Set a number of Nebraska offensive records such as total offense (7,915 yards) and total touchdowns (88).

Ndamukong Suh: Nebraska

Position: Defensive Tackle

Why he's here:  Was named the AP College Football Player of the Year, won the Nagurski, Lombardi, Bednarik and Outland Trophies, and finished fourth in Heisman voting.

Dave Rimington: Nebraska

Position: Offensive Center

Why he's here: Considered one of the best centers to ever play the college game and the namesake of the Rimington award, which goes to the nations top center each year. Won the Outland Trophy twice and the Lombardi Trophy once.

Tommie Frazier: Nebraska

Position: Quarterback

Why he's here: Was named the most valuable player of three straight bowl games (Orange twice, Sugar once), and led Nebraska to two national championships.

Bruce Smith: Minnesota

Position: Halfback

Why he's here: Heisman trophy winner (obviously), All-American and College Football Hall of Fame honoree.

Greg Eslinger: Minnesota

Position: Offensive Center

Why he's here: Eslinger was a two time All-American, and won the Outland and Rimington Trophies his final year.

Bronko Nagurski

Position: Fullback/Tackle

Why he's here: Other than having his name attached to the award that goes to the best defensive player each year, Nagurski is considered one of the best college football players of all time and was an All-American during his playing days.

That, and his name is Bronko Nagurski, which has to be worth something.