​​Fall camp is right around the corner and B1G Coaches & Players are gathering in Indy to talk about the upcoming '22 season. This is one of the first glimpses into each team since Spring Ball before we spend next month reading/eating up/laughing at each team's "insiders" and beat writers as they talk up their team and why this year is “different” before everyone finds themselves 6 drinks deep midway through the 1st quarter after their team's first 3-and-out of the year.

With that said, there is some worthwhile/useful information that can be gleaned from B1G Media Day. Not really in the words spoken but the players chosen to represent their team. To be chosen to attend is representative of a player's leadership ability, likely playing time, scheme usage, talent etc. To this end, the roster of attendees can serve as a foundation for evaluating teams/units and even this year's breakout players in the conference.

Based on B1G Media Day selection, below are my Top 3 "Breakout Players" from B1G Media Day 1.

1. Erick All (TE) - Effort, grit and willingness have never been questions for All. Rather, at the beginning of his career All struggled with playing in control and suffered a series of drops in ‘20. At 6’4’’ 245 lbs with speed, All always had the athleticism to be a top TE in the B1G. Last year, All grew into his own both from a receiving and blocking perspective. The two plays that sum up what people can expect from this fall are:
1. His Game Winning 47 yard TD vs PSU where he turned a short dump off pass into a sprint off to the corner of the end zone, showing his wheels
2. His Blocking on Hassan Haskins’ TD vs OSU on an outside stretch to the boundary. Haskins grabbed All by his jersey on the numbers and Erick paved the way.

I expect All to build on his receiving numbers and to be a Top 2 B1G in ‘22 and move his way up (in a big way) NFL draft boards.

2. Rakim Jarrett (WR) - A sought after 5* coming out of HS, Jarrett showed glimpses of greatness in ‘21. He is a great route runner made evident by his performance vs. West Virginia to start the year. He showcased his versatility in his ability to turn a swing screen pass up field quickly, find the hole in the zone 20 yards downfield and use his speed/quickness to put his foot in the ground and break out on a sideline corner route. Last year he was primarily used as a downfield threat but simply getting the ball into his hands should be a Terrapin priority in ‘21. There is no doubt his usage was effected by the injuries to the other top Maryland WRs last year and I expect him to produce more this year with increased surrounding talent. Jarrett will be a 1st/2nd Team All-B1G WR.

3. Garrett Nelson (DE/OLB)- Nelson is about as Cornhusker as it gets. A nationally-unheralded member of the ‘19 Class, Garrett committed in the summer of ‘17 and has worked his way up the Nebraska depth chart. In ‘21 he flashed his ability to be a disruptive pass rusher and playmaker. This year there should be more on his plate and he will mainly play from the edge. While there are other talented DEs in Lincoln, this should open up one-on-one opportunities from the relentless leader to build on his team-leading sack and TFL total from ‘20.