ROSEMONT, Ill. – Following Week 4 contests, the Big Ten Conference Football Players of the Week were announced Monday. Below are this week’s honorees:
 
Offensive Player of the Week
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Jr. – WR – Miami Gardens, Fla. – Chaminade-Madonna Prep
• Posted a career day against Illinois with 12 receptions for 217 yards and four touchdowns
• His 217 yards tied for sixth most in a single game in Ohio State history and he is tied for second behind 14 games with at least 100 receiving yards
• Has 3,175 receiving yards for his career to become the only receiver in program history to have over 3,000 career yards and ranks 10th in Big Ten history
• Following his four-touchdown performance, he is tied for fifth in Big Ten history with 34 career touchdown receptions  
• Last Ohio State Offensive Player of the Week: Julian Sayin (Oct. 20, 2025)
 
Defensive Player of the Week
Maverick Baranowski, Minnesota
5th-Yr. – LB – Ponce Inlet, Fla. – Spruce Creek
• Tied for the team lead with seven tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss in a 27-24 win at Washington
• Added 1.0 sacks and his first career interception
• Last Minnesota Defensive Player of the Week: John Nestor (Dec. 1, 2025)
 
Special Teams Player of the Week
Luke Drzewiecki, Minnesota
5th-Yr. – K – Shelby Township, Mich. – Utica Eisenhower
• Was 2-of-2 on field goals, converting from 31 and a career-long 51 yards
• His 51-yarder proved to be the game-winner against the Huskies
• Scored nine points for the Gophers
• Last Minnesota Special Teams Player of the Week: Javon Tracy (Sept. 7, 2026)
 
Freshman of the Week
Braeden Jackson, Iowa
R-Fr. – RB – Ankeny, Iowa – Ankeny Centennial  
• Delivered a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Iowa’s 20-19 road victory at No. 18 Michigan
• The return is tied for the seventh-longest kickoff return for a touchdown in program history
• Helped the Hawkeyes earn their first win over a ranked Michigan squad on the road since 2002
• Last Iowa Freshman of the Week: Kaleb Johnson (Nov. 7, 2022)
 
2026 Big Ten Football Players of the Week
Sept. 7
O: Jayden Maiava, QB, R-Sr., USC
Co-D: Caleb Bacon, DE, R-Sr., PSU
Co-D: Ta’Shawn James, DB, Sr., UCLA
ST: Javon Tracy, WR, 5th-Yr., MINN
F: Jamal Rule, RB, Fr., NEB
 
Sept. 14
O: Anthony Colandrea, QB, Sr., NEB
D: John Henry Daley, DE, Sr., MICH
ST: Caden Buhr, PK, So., IOWA
F: Mark Bowman, TE, Fr., USC
 
Sept. 21
O: Aidan Chiles, QB, Sr., NU
D: Sammy Omosigho, LB, Sr., UCLA
ST: Caden Chittenden, K, R-So., USC
F: Riley Wormley, RB, R-Fr., USC
 
Sept. 28
O: Jeremiah Smith, WR, Jr., OSU
D: Maverick Baranowski, LB, 5th-Yr., MINN
ST: Luke Drzewiecki, K, 5th-Yr., MINN
F: Braeden Jackson, RB, R-Fr., IOWA