Big Ten Football: Every team’s most important newcomer in 2021

Here are the most important new players for every team in the Big Ten football team. 

Amid the season being canceled and then restarted and teams disqualified from playing in the conference title game (and another being allowed), the Big Ten was represented in the College Football Playoff by the Ohio State Buckeyes, losing in the championship game to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Some teams are difficult to assess from last season’s performance because of COVID. Every team was affected by the pandemic from the late start to camp and the season to each state having restrictions on the number of people gathered in one place. Other teams had to adjust because of the pandemic and had to adjust to a new coaching regime.

This season, the Ohio State Buckeyes are the favorite to win the Big Ten football championship coming into the season, but the Buckeyes have some legitimate questions heading into the 2021 season. CJ Stroud is the favorite to start at quarterback, but five-star freshman Kyle McCord is on campus and ready to compete for the job.

McCord is one of many newcomers who are ready to step onto their respective conferences and impact their schools. Programs like Ohio State bring in one of the best-recruiting classes in conference history. While Michigan State was active in the transfer portal, signing ten transfers.

All eyes will be on both Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Columbus, Ohio, as the interstate rivals both search for their starting quarterback this offseason. Ironically, both have five-star freshmen quarterbacks coming in this fall. J.J. McCarthy and Cade McNamara are likely to start at Michigan, and both McCord and Jack Miller are battling CJ Stroud at Ohio State.

Many players are looking to impact next season, and here are newcomers who can impact their teams next season.