BIG 10 – Breaking Down Media Days 2025
The 2025 Big Ten Football Media Days, held July 22-24 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, marked the unofficial kickoff of the college football season. This three-day event, a first for the conference in Sin City, brought together all 18 Big Ten teams, each represented by their head coach and three standout players. With the Big Ten Network providing six hours of daily live coverage, hosted by Dave Revsine, Ashley Adamson, and analysts like Jake Butt and Yogi Roth, the event was a whirlwind of bold predictions, compelling storylines, and a glimpse into the 2025 season. Coming off back-to-back national championships—Michigan in 2023 and Ohio State in 2024—the Big Ten is riding high, with Oregon, Penn State, and Indiana also making waves in the 2024-25 College Football Playoff. Here’s a detailed blog-style recap with highlights from each team, capturing the buzz from Las Vegas.
Day 1: Powerhouses and Surprises
Illinois (Bret Bielema, Luke Altmyer, J.C. Davis, Xavier Scott)
Bret Bielema, in his fifth season, leaned into Illinois’ 10-3 2024 campaign, their best since 2001. QB Luke Altmyer, a former Ole Miss transfer, highlighted his comfort in his third year as starter, while OL J.C. Davis emphasized a veteran offensive line returning all five starters. DB Xavier Scott hyped a defense ready to handle a favorable schedule, avoiding Oregon, Penn State, and Michigan, with winnable non-conference games against Western Illinois, Duke, and Western Michigan. Bielema addressed the pressure of high expectations, noting Illinois’ potential as a playoff dark horse.
Indiana (Curt Cignetti, Aidan Fisher, Mikail Kamara, Elijah Sarratt)
After a stunning 10-2 season and a playoff berth in 2024, Curt Cignetti’s Hoosiers adopted an “SEC scheduling philosophy” to maintain momentum. LB Aidan Fisher and DL Mikail Kamara spoke about a relentless defense, while WR Elijah Sarratt, a transfer standout, promised an explosive passing game. Cignetti downplayed being a trendy pick, focusing on a winnable schedule with seven opponents who had losing Big Ten records in 2024, positioning Indiana for another potential playoff run.
Maryland (Mike Locksley, Tai Felton, Ruben Hyppolite II, Donnell Brown)
Mike Locksley emphasized Maryland’s offensive firepower, led by WR Tai Felton, who aims to build on his 2024 All-Big Ten performance. LB Ruben Hyppolite II and DL Donnell Brown discussed a defense looking to improve after a 7-5 season. Locksley highlighted a balanced roster but noted challenges with a tough schedule, including Ohio State and Oregon, as Maryland aims to climb the Big Ten standings.
Nebraska (Matt Rhule, Dylan Raiola, Isaac Gifford, Ty Robinson)
Matt Rhule showcased QB Dylan Raiola, who made his unofficial national debut after a 9-4 season in 2024. Raiola, backed by a massive transfer portal haul, expressed confidence in Nebraska’s revamped offense. LB Isaac Gifford and DL Ty Robinson emphasized a defense ready to compete in November, with Rhule echoing Commissioner Tony Petitti’s call for more meaningful late-season games. Nebraska’s favorable schedule has fans dreaming of a breakthrough.
Ohio State (Ryan Day, Emeka Egbuka, Denzel Burke, Jack Sawyer)
Defending national champions Ohio State, led by Ryan Day in his seventh season, face a quarterback battle after Will Howard’s departure to the NFL. WR Emeka Egbuka and CB Denzel Burke, both All-Big Ten returners, hyped a loaded roster, while DE Jack Sawyer vowed to maintain defensive dominance. Day highlighted continuity from the 2021 recruiting class, which produced eight starters on the 2024 title team, positioning the Buckeyes as preseason favorites despite the QB uncertainty.
Rutgers (Greg Schiano, Kyle Monangai, Tyreem Powell, Dariel Djabome)
Greg Schiano celebrated Rutgers’ 7-6 season and bowl appearance in 2024. RB Kyle Monangai, a Doak Walker Award semifinalist, emphasized a run-heavy offense, while LB Tyreem Powell and LB Dariel Djabome touted a gritty defense. Schiano focused on building depth to compete with Big Ten elites, with a manageable schedule offering a shot at another bowl bid.
Day 2: Champions and Dark Horses
Minnesota (P.J. Fleck, Darius Taylor, Cody Lindenberg, Ethan Robinson)
P.J. Fleck highlighted Minnesota’s 8-5 season and bowl win in 2024. RB Darius Taylor, a dual-threat star, and LB Cody Lindenberg emphasized a balanced attack, while CB Ethan Robinson hyped a secondary ready to challenge top passers. Fleck noted a tough schedule with Ohio State and Penn State but expressed confidence in Minnesota’s veteran leadership.
Northwestern (David Braun, Aidan Hubbard, Cam Porter, Xander Mueller)
David Braun, coming off a 6-6 season, focused on Northwestern’s resilience. DE Aidan Hubbard and RB Cam Porter discussed an offense aiming to improve, while LB Xander Mueller highlighted a defense that returns key starters. Braun emphasized a culture of toughness, with a schedule offering winnable games to push for a bowl berth.
Oregon (Dan Lanning, Dillon Gabriel, Jordan James, Jeffrey Bassa)
Reigning Big Ten champion Oregon, led by Dan Lanning, enters 2025 as a title contender after a 14-2 season and a No. 1 playoff seed in 2024. Transfer QB Dillon Gabriel, a Heisman hopeful, and RB Jordan James hyped an explosive offense, while LB Jeffrey Bassa emphasized a defense that stunned Penn State in the Big Ten title game. Lanning downplayed lofty expectations, focusing on a brutal schedule with Ohio State and Michigan.
Penn State (James Franklin, Drew Allar, Abdul Carter, Nicholas Singleton)
James Franklin’s Nittany Lions, coming off a 12-2 season and a playoff semifinal loss, are a trendy pick to win the Big Ten. QB Drew Allar, back for his senior year, vowed to lead Penn State to a title, while DE Abdul Carter and RB Nicholas Singleton highlighted a balanced roster. Franklin addressed playoff expansion talks, aiming for back-to-back CFP appearances.
Washington (Jedd Fisch, Jonah Coleman, Kamren Fabiculanan, Carson Bruener)
Jedd Fisch, in his second year, aims to build on Washington’s 7-6 season. RB Jonah Coleman and S Kamren Fabiculanan emphasized an improving offense, while LB Carson Bruener hyped a defense with returning starters. Fisch noted a tough slate with Oregon and Ohio State but sees Washington as a sleeper in the Big Ten.
Wisconsin (Luke Fickell, Jake Chaney, Hunter Wohler, Ricardo Hallman)
Luke Fickell, after a 6-7 season, focused on Wisconsin’s potential rebound. LB Jake Chaney and S Hunter Wohler discussed a defense ready to dominate, while CB Ricardo Hallman highlighted a secondary that led the Big Ten in interceptions in 2024. Fickell emphasized offensive improvements, with a schedule offering a chance to climb the rankings.
Day 3: Redemption and New Beginnings
Iowa (Kirk Ferentz, Kaleb Johnson, Jay Higgins, Jermari Harris)
Kirk Ferentz, building on a 9-4 season, sees Iowa as a sleeper after adding transfer portal talent. RB Kaleb Johnson, an All-Big Ten returner, and LB Jay Higgins hyped a run-heavy offense and stout defense. CB Jermari Harris emphasized a secondary ready to compete. Ferentz noted a favorable schedule as key to a potential 10-win season.
Michigan (Sherrone Moore, Donovan Edwards, Mason Graham, Colston Loveland)
After a 7-6 season following their 2023 national title, Sherrone Moore aims to rebound. RB Donovan Edwards and DL Mason Graham, both All-Big Ten, emphasized a veteran core, while TE Colston Loveland hyped an improving passing game. Moore highlighted a soft schedule, with only 27 combined Big Ten wins from 2024 opponents, positioning Michigan for a playoff push.
Michigan State (Jonathan Smith, Jordan Turner, Aidan Chiles, Nick Samac)
Jonathan Smith sees Michigan State as a sleeper after a 6-6 season. LB Jordan Turner and QB Aidan Chiles, a rising star, discussed an offense ready to surprise, while C Nick Samac emphasized a rebuilt offensive line. Smith highlighted a winnable schedule, making the Spartans a team to watch in 2025.
Purdue (Barry Odom, Devin Mockobee, Hudson Card, Nyland Green)
New head coach Barry Odom, hired after a 1-11 season in 2024, brings hope to Purdue. RB Devin Mockobee, nominated for the AFCA Good Works Team, and QB Hudson Card hyped a revamped offense, while CB Nyland Green, a transfer, emphasized a defense under construction. Odom noted a light travel schedule with only five road games, setting up a potential turnaround.
UCLA (DeShaun Foster, Nico Iamaleava, Kainoa Winston, Kootenai Winston)
DeShaun Foster celebrated UCLA’s splash addition of former Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava, who aims to spark the offense. S Kainoa Winston and LB Kootenai Winston hyped a defense ready to compete in their second Big Ten season. Foster acknowledged a tough schedule but sees UCLA as a dark horse.
USC (Lincoln Riley, Miller Moss, Jonah Monheim, Jaylin Smith)
Lincoln Riley, after an 8-5 season, leaned on QB Miller Moss to lead USC’s high-powered offense. OL Jonah Monheim and S Jaylin Smith emphasized a defense looking to improve after 2024 struggles. Riley highlighted a schedule with Michigan and Penn State, positioning USC for a potential bowl run in their second Big Ten year.
The Big Picture
Commissioner Tony Petitti opened the event, pushing for a 16-team playoff with four automatic Big Ten bids, reflecting the conference’s financial ambitions. The Big Ten Network’s coverage, from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET daily, featured podium sessions, with additional interviews like Big Ten Coordinator of Football Officials Bill Carollo and the Abbott We Give Blood Drive with Matt Leinart. Radio Row kept media connected, while a Wednesday media reception added flair. Storylines swirled around Ohio State’s QB battle, Indiana’s encore, Nebraska’s transfer haul, and Purdue’s new era under Barry Odom. With four teams in the 2024-25 playoff (Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State, Indiana) and eight others in bowl games, the Big Ten’s depth was on full display.
The 2025 season promises intense competition, surprises, and a potential third straight national title for the Big Ten—get ready for kickoff!