5 Big Ten WRs to Watch in 2015

By brookshooley

5 Big Ten WRs to Watch in 2015

De'Mornay Pierson-El nebraska cornhuskers — Big Ten football has always prided itself on ground-and-pound rushing offenses, but the passing game has become popular in the last decade because of the spread offense. Because of this, the wide-receiver position has become more important. Here are five receivers who will demand your attention in 2015.

5. Mike Dudek - Illinois

Mike Dudek illinois fighting illini

5. Mike Dudek - Illinois

Mike Dudek illinois fighting illini — Last season, Dudek was third in the conference in both average receptions per game (5.8) and receiving yards per game (79.8). He also set the Illinois record for receiving yards as a freshman (1,038) coupled with six touchdowns. Considering Illinois was 114th in the nation in rushing yards per game last season (117.5), offensive coordinator Bill Cubit will no doubt have quarterback Wes Lunt running several plays built around Dudek in 2015.

4. De'Mornay Pierson-El - Nebraska

De'Mornay Pierson-El nebraska cornhuskers

4. De'Mornay Pierson-El - Nebraska

De'Mornay Pierson-El nebraska cornhuskers — As a freshman, Pierson-El made a name for himself as a punt returner, leading the conference in total punt return yards (596) and touchdowns (three). But with the departure of Kenny Bell, he will need to emerge as a receiver for QB Tommy Armstrong. This will also help open up the field for Jordan Westerkamp as well. Pierson-El caught 23 passes for 321 yards and four touchdowns in 2014, so making the adjustment shouldn't be an issue for him.

3. DaeSean Hamilton - Penn State

DaeSean Hamilton penn state nittany lions

3. DaeSean Hamilton - Penn State

DaeSean Hamilton penn state nittany lions — Hamilton had a breakout freshman season with 82 catches for 899 yards and two touchdowns. This was good enough to lead the conference in both total receptions and receptions per game (6.3). Now that both he and junior quarterback Christian Hackenberg have had a year to build on-field chemistry with one another, offensive coordinator John Donovan will look to exploit any mismatches on the field and Hamilton could be looking at a 1,000-yard season.

2. Leonte Carroo - Rutgers

Leonte Carroo rutgers scarlet knights

2. Leonte Carroo - Rutgers

Leonte Carroo rutgers scarlet knights — Piscataway was thrilled when Carroo decided to stay for his senior season at Rutgers, and who could blame them? As a junior, Carroo caught 55 passes for 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Scarlet Knights. Gary Nova may be gone, but Carroo’s ability to get open as well catch the ball in traffic will make life easier for whoever is taking snaps for the Scarlet Knights this season.

1. Michael Thomas - Ohio State

Michael Thomas ohio state buckeyes

1. Michael Thomas - Ohio State

Michael Thomas ohio state buckeyes — With all the talk of Ohio State’s arsenal of quarterbacks, people have forgotten that the Buckeyes lost their biggest deep threat (Devin Smith) and their best blocking receiver (Evan Spencer). Look no further than junior Michael Thomas. He led the team in receptions (54) and was second in yards (799) and had nine touchdowns. His speed and size make him the primary target for any one of the quarterbacks Urban Meyer decides to play in 2015.

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