As the 2024 college football season quickly approaches, it is time to look at the top players in the Big Ten Conference.
We continue our Ranking the Big Ten series with the league’s best-returning centers. It’s no surprise that the league is once again loaded in the middle of the trenches.
Related:QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG
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1. Jonah Monheim, USC
Jonah Monheim returns as one of USC’s most talented and experienced offensive linemen in 2024, with 40 career appearances and 34 starts. However, none of those have been at center.
Despite playing almost exclusively at tackle (18 starts at right tackle, 12 at left), the redshirt senior moved to the middle of the Trojans’ o-line this offseason. Despite his inexperience at the position, Monheim’s pure talent makes him one of the nation’s best.
The 6-foot-5, 305-pounder from Moorpark, California, started 12 of his 13 appearances last season at left tackle and earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors for his efforts. He was also the No. 9 graded tackle in the nation in 2022, per PFF.
2. Logan Jones, Iowa
Logan Jones has anchored Iowa’s offensive line for 26 of the past 27 games, and he’ll do so once again in 2024.
The 6-3, 290-pound senior from Council Bluffs, Iowa, started 13 of 14 games last season, with his only absence coming against Nebraska due to injury. He was named third-team All-Big Ten and is now considered one of the league’s best going into his final campaign.
Phil Steele named Jones a 2024 preseason third-team All-American and first-team all-conference selection.
3. Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State
One of the newer faces on Ohio State’s offense this season, Seth McLaughlin is no stranger to high-level football.
The senior from Buford, Georgia, played in 35 games with 24 starts over four years at Alabama, where he helped the Crismon Tide to three College Football Playoff appearances. That included 13 starts in 2023, when Alabama boasted a top-10 scoring offense nationally.
He joined the Buckeyes in January and quickly solidified himself as their man in the middle.
4. Josh Kreutz, Illinois
The youngest player on this list, Josh Kreutz took over as Illinois’ starting center in 2023 and never looked back.
The junior started all 13 games for the Fighting Illini last season and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. In his first career start against Toledo, he was rated the nation’s 11th-best center by PFF.
The son of former Chicago Bears six-time Pro Bowler Olin Kreutz will once again pave the way for the Illini in 2024.
5. Ben Scott, Nebraska
Ben Scott arrived at Nebraska last year as a transfer from Arizona State with high expectations. After claiming honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in his Husker debut, his bar has been raised even higher.
Scott played in all 12 games with 11 starts in 2023, helping NU rank second in the Big Ten in rushing offense. His return this season was big news for Nebraska’s o-line, as he’ll highlight a veteran unit in charge of protecting star freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola.
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