Countdown to kickoff: Big Ten East most exciting player

Our countdown to kickoff series chugs along, and today it's all about Big Ten East most exciting players.

[ MORE: Top non-conference game | Top under-the-radar game | East must-see game | West must-see game | East most underrated player | West most underrated player | East surprise team | West surprise team | East breakout player | West breakout player ]

This is a fun category, to be sure, because the East is loaded with players who ooze with excitement.

And, best of all, there's the excitement on both sides of the ball.

Who is your leading Big Ten East most exciting player candidate?

See BTN.com's Tom Dienhart, Sean Merriman and Brent Yarina's selections below.

Tom Dienhart: Jalin Marshall, HB, Ohio State. Marshall flashed his superstar potential last year as a freshman. We all remember the four touchdowns in less than 15 minutes of game action vs. Indiana, right? He will bring all of us out of our seat in 2015 with shifty playmaking ability as a runner and pass catcher. He even can throw a little bit in what should be a boffo offense.

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Sean Merriman: Cardale Jones, QB, Ohio State. When thinking of the term "exciting," how about a guy who can throw the ball 75 yards, as well as run both over and past opposing defenses. In three games last season, Jones led the Buckeyes to wins over Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon en route to winning the national championship, totaling 832 yards (742 passing, 90 rushing) and six TDs (5 passing, 1 rushing). How's that for exciting?

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Brent Yarina: Braxton Miller, HB, Ohio State. Miller was tantalizingly exciting in open spaces as a quarterback, and now the two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year gets to show what he can do in space as a wide receiver/H-back. You know this coaching staff will put Miller in a position to succeed and utilize his strengths, plus in a role that could have him passing, running and catching touchdowns.