Dwayne Haskins finishes 2018 strong, stands out on PFF's All-Big Ten selections

The 2018 regular season is in the books and the College Football Playoffs are set. With the culmination of the regular season comes PFF's awards and all-conference selections as well as our All-American lists for both the first and second team.

The All-conference selections have been made by each of PFF's leading conference analyst based mainly on PFF's play-by-play grading process for the entire season as well as cumulative grades, game grades against quality opposition, other PFF advanced statistics and playing time.

The All-Big Ten selections below are headlined by the first team with the second team listed below each position.

For all other all-conference teams: ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC | AAC | C-USA | MWC | MAC | Sun Belt

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Quarterback

First Team: Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State

Haskins was outstanding all season in a clean pocket, one of the best predictors of NFL success. When not faced with pressure, he threw 43 touchdowns to just five interceptions and had a passer rating of 134.4.

Second Team: Shea Patterson, Michigan

Running Back

First Team: Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin

Taylor averaged an outstanding 4.2 yards after contact this season and forced 58 missed tackles, leading the nation by almost 300 yards in total rushing yards. His 1,175 yards after contact were more than all but 14 other running backs had total rushing yards this season.

Second Team: Reggie Corbin, Illinois

Running Back

First Team: Devine Ozigbo, Nebraska

Ozigbo's average of 4.5 yards per carry after contact tied him for 10th in the country.

Second Team: JK Dobbins, Ohio State

Wide Receiver

First Team: Rondale Moore, Purdue

A true freshman season to remember, 831 of Moore's 1,169 yards this season came after the catch to lead the country, and 225 of them came after initial contact.

Second Team: JD Spielman, Nebraska

Wide Receiver

First Team: Tyler Johnson, Minnesota

Johnson's 3.3 yards per route run ranked sixth in the country, and second best in the Big Ten behind only Parris Campbell of Ohio State.

Second Team: K.J. Hill, Ohio State

Wide Receiver

First Team: Parris Campbell, Ohio State

Campbell led the country with a passer rating of 141.6 when targeted while also leading the conference in yards after the catch.

Second Team: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan

Tight End

First Team: TJ Hockenson, Iowa

Hockenson's 2.26 yards per route run ranked sixth nationally among tight ends with at least 50 targets.

Second Team: Jake Ferguson, Wisconsin

Offensive Tackle

First Team: Cole Van Lanen, Wisconsin

Van Lanen surrendered just two sacks and one hit on 212 pass-blocking reps in 2018.

Second Team: Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

Offensive Guard

First Team: Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin

Benzschawel anchored the Badgers line with Biadasz as he allowed just seven QB pressures on 328 snaps in pass protection. His 83.8 run-blocking grade was 2.0 points higher than the next closest and second only to Prescod among guards.

Second Team: Michael Deiter, Wisconsin

Center

First Team: Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin

While his pass-blocking grades rank in the top half of all centers this season, Biadasz did his best work in the run game. His 83.7 run-blocking grade was the best among all centers.

Second Team: Jared Weyler, Minnesota

Offensive Guard

First Team: Ross Reynolds, Iowa

Reynolds' run-blocking grade of 81.6 was the highest for any Big Ten lineman not from Wisconsin.

Second Team: Nick Allegretti, Illinois

Offensive Tackle

First Team: Alex Palczewski, Illinois

Palczewski's best skill was his run blocking this year, as his 79.5 grade in the category ranked third among all Big Ten tackles.

Second Team: Alaric Jackson, Iowa

 

DEFENSE

Edge Defender

First Team: Kenny Willekes, Michigan State

Willekes has always been an excellent run defender, but his seven sacks, 16 QB hits and 33 hurries this year were equally impressive rushing off the edge of the Spartans defense.

Second Team: Chase Young, Ohio State

Edge Defender

First Team: Chase Winovich, Michigan

Winovich was a monster against the run in 2018, notching 36 run stops, 15 of them either tackles for loss or tackles for no gain.

Second Team: Anthony Nelson, Iowa

Defensive Interior

First Team: Dre'Mont Jones, Ohio State

Jones posted six sacks and 41 total pressures while winning an impressive 14.1% of his pass rushes.

Second Team: Davon Hamilton, Ohio State

Defensive Interior

First Team: Jordan Thompson, Northwestern

Thompson led all Big Ten defensive linemen with a run-defense grade of 91.0 in 2018.

Second Team: Mike Panasiuk, Michigan State

Linebacker

First Team: TJ Edwards, Wisconsin

Edwards tallied an impressive 51 run stops in 2018, 13 of which were recorded for either a loss or no gain.

Second Team: Paddy Fisher, Northwestern

Linebacker

First Team: Blake Cashman, Minnesota

Cashman was outstanding in all three defensive facets, as he was the only Big Ten defender to post elite grades (85.0 or higher) in run defense, pass coverage and pass-rush.

Second Team: Ryan Connelly, Wisconsin

Cornerback

First Team: Justin Layne, Michigan State

Layne was targeted 89 times in coverage this season and forced incompletions on 16 of those pass attempts (one interception).

Second Team: Montre Hartage, Northwestern

Cornerback

First Team: Amani Hooker, Iowa

Hooker dominated out of the slot for the Hawkeyes this season, spending 279 coverage snaps from an inside alignment. He was targeted 47 times and brought in three interceptions, tying for the national lead in interceptions from the slot.

Second Team: Isaiah Wharton, Rutgers

Safety

First Team: Geno Stone, Iowa

Stone forced incompletions on 23.1% of the 13 times he was targeted in coverage (four interceptions) and added seven stops on pass plays.

Second Team: Jacob Huff, Minnesota

Safety

First Team: Deontai Williams, Nebraska

Williams was truly an elite player for Nebraska, as he posted a run-defense grade of 86.9 to go with a coverage grade of 89.9.

Second Team: Khari Willis, Michigan State

Flex Defense

First Team: Devin Bush, Michigan

Bush was a force in all three facets, posting six sacks and 22 total pressures to go with 34 run stops and 14 stops on passing plays.

Second Team: Darnell Savage Jr., Maryland

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker

First Team: Chase McLaughlin, Illinois

McLaughlin connected on 20-of-25 attempts this year, including nailing 3-of-5 attempts from at least 50 yards.

Second Team: Logan Justus, Indiana

Punter

First Team: Adam Korsak, Rutgers

Korsak had just three touchbacks in 2018 despite leading the Big Ten with 77 punts.

Second Team: Will Hart, Michigan

Kick Returner

First Team: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Iowa

Smith-Marsette's average of 32.6 yards per kick return was the best among Big Ten returners with at least five attempts by more than five yards.

Second Team: Javon Leake, Maryland

Punt Returner

First Team: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Michigan

Peoples-Jones led all Big Ten punt returners with at least 10 punt returns with an average of 10.3 yards per return.

Second Team: Kyle Groeneweg, Iowa