Top 5 Big 10 Unsung Heroes

5 Big 10 Unsung Heroes

One Big-10 game has been played this season and the other 10 Big-10 teams start their conference season this coming Saturday. Now that the non-conference schedule has concluded, most teams have established an identity and the players on their teams that will be major contributors to the game plans.

Going through the 48 games that the 12 Big-10 teams have played so far in the 2013 season it’s easy for a lot of these players to get lost in the coverage. Nonetheless, whether these players having been productive is the result of the design of their coaching staffs or simply taking advantage of the opportunities presented to them, they are producing.

These players have scored points for their teams and much more. They’ve changed field position, created third and longs for their opponent and moved the chains. They’ve made big plays for their teams and kept the opposition from doing the same.

Yet, if you mentioned their names to most casual fans of Big-10 teams, they wouldn’t know who you are talking about. They don’t have the national notoriety of a Braxton Miller, yet.

These players may not be unknowns for long. If they can continue to produce at the same level in the upcoming Big-10 conference games, they may be bringing home some hardware at the end of the year.

5. Tony Jones

Northwestern running back Tony Jones is second in the Big 10 with six catches per game and third with 90.5 receiving yards per game

4. Kevonte Martin-Manley

Iowa wide receiver Kevonte Martin-Manley is leading the Big 10 in punt return average at 31.1 yards per punt return

3. Zach Zwinak

Penn State running back Zach Zwinak is second in the Big 10 among non-kickers with 12 points per game

2. Tim Bennett

Indiana defensive back Tim Bennett leads the Big 10 in passes defended with 10.

1. Cody Webster

Purdue punter Cody Webster leads the Big 10 in punt average at 45.7 yards per punt