🏛️ THE BIG TEN SUPER‑CONFERENCE: A COMPLETE HISTORY & ALL‑TIME ATHLETE RANKINGS

From seven Midwestern schools in 1896 to an 18‑team national powerhouse in 2024.

The Big Ten began in 1896 as the Western Conference — a small alliance of Midwestern universities seeking standardized rules for football and academics. Over the next century, it evolved from a regional league into a national super‑conference, adding powerhouse programs across the Midwest, East Coast, and now the Pacific Coast.

Today, the Big Ten is the oldest, wealthiest, and arguably most influential conference in college athletics. Its alumni include Heisman winners, Naismith winners, Olympic gold medalists, and generational icons.

Below is the full timeline, followed by the Top 50 Big Ten Athletes Ever, and a ranking of schools by total star power.

🗓️ BIG TEN TIMELINE (1896–2024)

A century of expansion, realignment, and rising dominance.

1896 — The Big Ten is founded

Illinois, Minnesota, Northwestern, Purdue, Wisconsin, Chicago, Michigan.

1899 — Indiana and Iowa join

1912 — Ohio State joins

1917 — Michigan returns

(Rejoined after leaving in 1907.)

1950 — Michigan State joins

1990 — Penn State joins

2011 — Nebraska joins

2014 — Maryland and Rutgers join

2024 — USC, UCLA, Oregon, Washington join

The Big Ten becomes a coast‑to‑coast super‑conference.

🏆 TOP 50 BIG TEN ATHLETES OF ALL TIME

Ranked strictly on college achievements — with years, awards, and team accomplishments.

1. 🏀 Kareem Abdul‑Jabbar (UCLA, 1966–1969)

Awards: 3× Naismith, 3× Final Four MOP Team: 3× NCAA Champion (1967–1969)

2. 🏈 Archie Griffin (Ohio State, 1972–1975)

Awards: 2× Heisman, 3× All‑American Team: 4× Big Ten Champion

3. 🏃‍♂️ Jesse Owens (Ohio State, 1933–1936)

Awards: 8× NCAA Champion, multiple world records Team: Led OSU to national track dominance

4. 🏀 Magic Johnson (Michigan State, 1977–1979)

Awards: Final Four MOP 1979 Team: NCAA Champion (1979)

5. 🏈 Tommie Frazier (Nebraska, 1992–1995)

Awards: 2× Heisman finalist, All‑American Team: 2× National Champion (1994, 1995)

6. 🏈 Red Grange (Illinois, 1923–1925)

Awards: All‑American Team: National prominence through iconic performances

7. 🏈 Charles Woodson (Michigan, 1995–1997)

Awards: Heisman 1997, All‑American Team: National Champion (1997)

8. 🏈 Mike Rozier (Nebraska, 1981–1983)

Awards: Heisman 1983 Team: National title contender

9. 🏈 Ron Dayne (Wisconsin, 1996–1999)

Awards: Heisman 1999, NCAA rushing record Team: 2× Rose Bowl Champion

10. 🏀 Caitlin Clark (Iowa, 2020–2024)

Awards: 2× Naismith, NCAA scoring leader Team: Final Four (2023), National Runner‑Up (2023)

11. 🏀 Glenn Robinson (Purdue, 1992–1994)

Awards: Naismith 1994 Team: Big Ten Champion

12. 🏀 Mateen Cleaves (Michigan State, 1996–2000)

Awards: Final Four MOP 2000 Team: NCAA Champion (2000)

13. 🏀 Len Bias (Maryland, 1982–1986)

Awards: 2× ACC POY Team: ACC Champion

14. 🏈 Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska, 2005–2009)

Awards: Bednarik 2009, Nagurski 2009 Team: Big 12 North Champion

15. 🏈 Eddie George (Ohio State, 1992–1995)

Awards: Heisman 1995 Team: Big Ten Champion

16. 🏈 Drew Brees (Purdue, 1997–2000)

Awards: All‑American Team: Big Ten Champion, Rose Bowl appearance

17. 🏀 Cazzie Russell (Michigan, 1963–1966)

Awards: Naismith 1966 Team: Final Four (1964, 1965)

18. 🏀 Juan Dixon (Maryland, 1998–2002)

Awards: Final Four MOP 2002 Team: NCAA Champion (2002)

19. 🏈 Troy Smith (Ohio State, 2003–2006)

Awards: Heisman 2006 Team: National Championship Game (2006)

20. 🏈 Mike Webster (Wisconsin, 1971–1973)

Awards: All‑American Team: Team captain, foundational lineman

21. 🏀 Kevin McHale (Minnesota, 1976–1980)

Awards: All‑American Team: Big Ten contender

22. ⛳ Luke Donald (Northwestern, 1997–2001)

Awards: NCAA Champion 1999 Team: Big Ten Champion

23. 🤼 Mason Parris (Michigan, 2019–2023)

Awards: NCAA Champion 2023 Team: Big Ten Champion

24. 🤼 Logan Stieber (Ohio State, 2011–2015)

Awards: 4× NCAA Champion Team: NCAA Team Champion (2015)

25. 🤼 Brock Lesnar (Minnesota, 1997–2000)

Awards: NCAA Champion 2000 Team: Big Ten Champion

26. 🏈 Reggie Bush (USC, 2003–2005)

Awards: Heisman‑level 2005 season Team: National Champion (2004)

27. 🏈 Matt Leinart (USC, 2001–2005)

Awards: Heisman 2004 Team: National Champion (2003, 2004)

28. 🏈 Troy Polamalu (USC, 1999–2002)

Awards: All‑American Team: Pac‑10 Champion

29. 🏃‍♀️ Jackie Joyner‑Kersee (UCLA, 1980–1985)

Awards: NCAA heptathlon & long jump titles Team: Pac‑10 Champion

30. 🏃‍♂️ Rafer Johnson (UCLA, 1954–1958)

Awards: NCAA decathlon champion Team: National track contender

31. 🏀 Bill Walton (UCLA, 1971–1974)

Awards: 3× Naismith, 2× Final Four MOP Team: 2× NCAA Champion

32. 🏈 Marcus Mariota (Oregon, 2012–2014)

Awards: Heisman 2014 Team: National Championship Game (2014)

33. 🏀 Sabrina Ionescu (Oregon, 2016–2020)

Awards: Naismith 2020 Team: Final Four (2019)

34. 🏃‍♂️ Steve Prefontaine (Oregon, 1969–1973)

Awards: Multiple NCAA titles Team: Oregon track dynasty

35. 🏃‍♂️ Phil Knight (Oregon, 1955–1959)

Awards: Middle‑distance standout Team: Oregon track powerhouse

36. 🏈 Warren Moon (Washington, 1974–1977)

Awards: Rose Bowl MVP 1978 Team: Pac‑8 Champion

37. 🏈 Napoleon Kaufman (Washington, 1991–1994)

Awards: All‑American Team: National Champion (1991)

38. 🏀 Isaiah Thomas (Indiana, 1979–1981)

Awards: Final Four MOP 1981 Team: NCAA Champion (1981)

39. 🏀 Calbert Cheaney (Indiana, 1989–1993)

Awards: Naismith 1993 Team: Final Four (1992)

40. 🏀 Glen Rice (Michigan, 1985–1989)

Awards: Final Four MOP 1989 Team: NCAA Champion (1989)

41. 🏀 Frank Kaminsky (Wisconsin, 2011–2015)

Awards: Naismith 2015 Team: Final Four (2014, 2015)

42. 🏈 Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin, 2011–2014)

Awards: Doak Walker 2014 Team: Big Ten Champion

43. 🏈 Saquon Barkley (Penn State, 2015–2017)

Awards: Big Ten POY (2016, 2017) Team: Big Ten Champion (2016)

44. 🏈 LaVar Arrington (Penn State, 1997–1999)

Awards: Butkus 1999, Bednarik 1999 Team: Top‑10 finishes

45. 🏈 Shane Conlan (Penn State, 1983–1986)

Awards: All‑American Team: National Champion (1986)

46. 🏈 Otto Graham (Northwestern, 1941–1943)