Eleven Michigan Players Selected for All-Big Ten Honors on Offense

ROSEMONT, Ill. -- Eleven student-athletes from the University of Michigan football team were recognized with All-Big Ten honors on offense, the conference announced on Wednesday (Nov. 28). Senior running back Karan Higdon led the way with first-team recognition from both the coaches and media, and seven players picked up their first conference accolades, including junior quarterback Shea Patterson, a third-team selection by the coaches and honorable mention from the media.

As the program's first 1,000-yard running back since 2011, Higdon etched his name into the Michigan record books this season. He has carried the ball 224 times for the Wolverines, racking up 150 carries more than the next-closest Wolverine, and gained 1,178 yards (5.3 average) with 10 touchdowns. The offensive co-captain scored one touchdown or more in eight of 11 games played, averaged 111.0 all-purpose yards per game and led the Wolverines to an undefeated record when he hit 100 yards rushing (8-0). Higdon recorded seven consecutive 100-yard rushing efforts this season, one game shy of the program record set by Mike Hart in 2007 (eight), and improved to a first team conference honoree after being named a third-team selection by both coaches and media in 2017.

All five of Higdon's offensive linemen were chosen for conference honors. As a group, this year's U-M offensive line allowed 1.5 sacks per game and blocked for one of the most balanced and efficient offensive units in the nation, averaging 214.3 yards per game on the ground and 212.9 yards per game through the air.

Senior left tackle Jon Runyan picked up first-team honors from the coaches and second-team honors from the media, earning his first career Big Ten recognition. Junior left guard and offensive co-captain Ben Bredeson earned second-team distinction from both groups for the second straight year. Junior right guard Michael Onwenu and sophomore center Cesar Ruiz were chosen as third-team honorees by the coaches, while both were joined by fifth-year senior right tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty in being named honorable mention by the media. Bushell-Beatty was an honorable mention selection by both groups.

Behind a standout offensive line, Patterson has produced a noteworthy statistical season in his first campaign as a Wolverine, with 2,364 yards passing and 268 yards on the ground. He has totaled 23 touchdowns with 21 passing scores and two rushing touchdowns and has a 65.1 percent completion rate, which would stand as a single-season record at U-M if the season ended today. Patterson has generated a pass efficiency rating of 154.28, No. 8 for a single season at Michigan and No. 2 in the Big Ten this year. The junior signal-caller averages 8.2 yards per pass attempt and has three touchdowns or more in six of his 12 starts. He has connected with nine different pass-catchers for his 21 touchdowns, including four wide receivers, three tight ends, one fullback and one running back.

Several of his offensive weapons collected All-Big Ten recognition as well. Sophomore wide receiver Donovan Peoples-Jones was a third-team honoree by the coaches and honorable mention by the media. Peoples-Jones also secured third-team honors as a return specialist as part of Tuesday's (Nov. 27) Big Ten announcement. Fellow wide receiver Nico Collins was honorable mention from the league coaches.

Peoples-Jones led the team with 39 receptions this year, and Collins was second with 33 catches. They also rank one-two in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns (Collins: 552, six; Peoples-Jones: 541, seven).

Since head coach Jim Harbaugh began his tenure at Michigan in 2015, the only wide receivers to match or exceed Peoples-Jones' or Collins' receiving touchdowns are Amara Darboh (seven, 2016) and Jehu Chesson (nine, 2015). Both players have proven to be explosive weapons. Collins registered at least one catch of 35 yards or more in seven games this year, while Peoples-Jones has at least one play of 20 yards or longer in six games.

Junior tight end Zach Gentry and sophomore tight end Sean McKeon were included as honorable mentions from the media, and Gentry earned third-team honors from the coaches. Gentry led Michigan's tight end group and listed third on the team with 30 receptions for 475 yards. His average of 15.8 yards per catch leads all U-M pass-catchers with at least 10 catches, and he has also scored two touchdowns. McKeon has added 14 receptions for 122 yards and one score, and both players have been integral pieces in the U-M run game.

For seven Wolverines on offense, this year's honor marked their first Big Ten recognition: Bushell-Beatty, Collins, Onwenu, Patterson, Peoples-Jones, Ruiz and Runyan.

Following is a breakdown of Michigan's players on the All-Big Ten offensive ballots:

All-Big Ten Offense (Coaches)
First Team: Karan Higdon, Jon Runyan
Second Team: Ben Bredeson
Third Team: Michael Onwenu, Zach Gentry, Shea Patterson, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cesar Ruiz
Honorable Mention: Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Nico Collins