One of the most intriguing aspects of the college football spring games is the fact that we get our first look at this year’s rosters including the new faces and key players that are competing not just for a starting job but for the opportunity to prove they can make a major difference for their team this season. There are always a handful of key storylines that emerge from the spring games including most importantly which players perform at the highest level. Here is a look at the top spring game MVP’s from Big Ten teams.
RB: Ty Isaac
Michigan Wolverines
Michigan is a team on the rise in the Big Ten with head coach Jim Harbaugh turning the program around in short order following his arrival last season and expectations are extremely high for the Wolverines this season. There have been plenty of storylines surrounding the team this spring and one of them is the potential for the running back Isaac to be a breakout star this season. The junior running back averaged 6.8 yards per carry while rushing for 205 yards on 30 carries and his limitations had everything to do with what the team called an “internal affair” rather than his talent and ability. Isaac and the team have moved past their issues and his immense potential was on full display at Michigan’s spring game when he ran for 84 yards on 10 carries. Isaac looked extremely shifty and explosive every time he touched the ball and the Wolverines have to be thrilled about his potential to be a star player for them this season.
WR: Austin Mack
Ohio State Buckeyes
No team was his harder at the NFL Draft than Ohio State, who lost nine underclassmen in addition to the top senior players they had on their roster last season. The Buckeyes will be relying on several young players to step up and help fill the holes those players left and one of them is their true freshman wide receiver Mack. The 6’1’’, 211-pound Mack has absolutely shined in the Buckeyes’ spring practices and while his numbers in the actual spring game didn’t look elite, he has made a big enough impact to earn this spot as Ohio State’s offensive MVP so far this spring. The Buckeyes need some receivers to step up and help out the quarterbacks, which stagnated last season.
WR: Donnie Corley
Michigan State Spartans
The Spartans are a team in transition following last year’s Big Ten title but the prevailing theory is that they are still talented enough to contend for a conference championship this season. Michigan State will certainly face an uphill climb, especially with Tyler O’Connor set to step in for the departed Connor Cook at the quarterback position. The key could be surrounding O’Connor with talented weapons that will help his progress and Corley is at the top of that list right now after shining throughout this spring. The freshman receiver was the first player from his position selected for the scrimmage and head coach Mark Dantonio was extremely complimentary of his performance. Corley has the elite speed, hands and playmaking ability to be a star this season and the Spartans will lean heavily on him to produce and help the quarterback O’Connor’s progress.
LB: Aaron Mends
Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa is the dark horse in the Big Ten right now with an absolutely loaded defense and an offense that could be good enough to put them over the top this season. One of the most talked about players is the linebacker Mends, who is slated to hold down the weak side spot on the Hawkeyes’ defense. Mends showed glimpses of his potential as a freshman last season and linebackers coach Seth Wallace has raved about his potential as one of the most complete players on his defense this season. Mends certainly has immense potential and it will be interesting to see if he can build on a strong start in the spring practices in a bigger role for Iowa in 2016.
