19 Big Ten players land on ESPN's CFB Top 100

ESPN.com recently finalized a list of the top 100 players in college football this season. A total of 19 Big Ten standouts appear on the list, led by Michigan State defensive end Shilique Calhoun, who comes in at No. 4. Here is a look at where all 19 Big Ten players appear and a short blurb from ESPN on each player near the top of the list.

Check out our stat leader predictions:

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4. Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Ranking: 8.94/10

"An explosive pass-rusher and the anchor up front for another fearsome-looking group of MSU defenders, Calhoun wasted no time in breaking out last season. He scored three touchdown in the first two games and rarely let up from there."

T-5. Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Ranking: 8.88/10

"The active FBS leader in per-carry rushing average at 8.1, Gordon led the nation in the category each of the past two season. He has lost just one fumble in his career and has topped 140 yards on the ground in nine games."

T-5. Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State
Ranking: 8.8/10

"The two-time Big Ten offensive player of the year and a top Heisman contender, Miller looks set this fall to rewrite the OSU record books. He has directed six game-winning TD drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. A championship would cement his legacy."

20. Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Ranking: 8.22/10

"A freakish athlete, Gregory arrived out of junior college days before the start of practice last August and notched 10½ sacks, the most ever by a first-year Nebraska defender. He played underweight but showed a burst from his position unmatched in the Big Ten."

21. Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
Ranking: 8.19/10

"The nation's top returning rusher and third on the career FBS chart among active players, Abdullah gets his shot at a third 1,000-yard season, a feat that's never been accomplished at Nebraska. His 1,690 yards last fall ranked as the highest total at the school since 1997."

23. Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Ranking: 8.03/10

"A former high school quarterback, track star and all-state pitcher, Scherff found the right spot in college at left tackle, anchoring the Iowa offensive line. He turned down NFL riches after last season to display his otherworldly strength on the college scene for another season."

34. Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
Ranking: 7.63/10

T-43. Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Ranking: 7.44/10

46. Christian Hackenberg, QB, Penn State
Ranking: 7.41/10

T-47. Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland
Ranking: 7.34/10

51. Noah Spence, DE, Ohio State
Ranking: 7.25/10

56. Jeremy Langford, RB, Michigan State
Ranking: 7.16/10

T-61. Kurtis Drummond, S, Michigan State
Ranking: 7.06/10

71. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
Ranking: 6.88/10

T-72. Devin Funchess, TE/WR, Michigan
Ranking: 6.84/10

T-76. Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Ranking: 6.81/10

T-83. Jake Ryan, LB, Michigan
Ranking: 6.75/10

T-97. Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
Ranking: 6.44/10

T-99. Taiwan Jones, LB, Michigan State
Ranking: 6.41/100

SCHOOL-BY-SCHOOL-BREAKDOWN
Michigan State: 6
Ohio State: 4
Iowa: 2
Michigan: 2
Nebraska: 2
Wisconsin: 1
Penn State: 1
Maryland: 1

BTN.COM'S OTHERS TO CONSIDER
Shayne Wynn, WR, Indiana
Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
Devin Gardner, QB, Michigan
Blake Countess, CB, Michigan
Jabrill Peppers, CB, Michigan
Jack Conklin, OL, Michigan State
Jack Allen, OL, Michigan State
Mike Hull, LB, Penn STate
Darius Hamilton, DL, Rutgers
David Cobb, Minnesota
Kenny Bell, WR, Nebraska
Chi Chi Ariguzo, LB, Northwestern
Ibraheim Campbell, S, Northwestern
Rob Havenstein, OL, Wisconsin