The tight end position has been a strong suit of the Big Ten as the conference has sent six players to the NFL since 2009. This year there are numerous budding stars at the position like Illinois sophomore Jon Davis and Iowa’s 6-foot-7 C.J. Fiedorowicz. 

The standard for developing tight ends, however, has been at Wisconsin, where its last two tight ends, Travis Beckum and Lance Kendricks, made it to the NFL. The Badgers will again have one of the top tight ends in the conference this season, but the top returning player at the position hails from the Buckeye State. 

1. Jake Stoneburner, Ohio State

The senior made headlines for the wrong reasons this offseason after getting arrested and losing his scholarship for the summer. However, he’s since paid the price in coach Urban Meyer’s eyes and has returned to the field as one of Braxton Miller’s primary targets. The Buckeyes have said they’ll use Stoneburner (6-5, 245) in more of a receiver role but his size will be a crucial impediment to defensive lines as Braxton Miller scrambles out of the pocket. He scored seven touchdowns last year on just 14 catches but will be Miller’s most experienced target this year. 

2. Jacob Pedersen, Wisconsin

The 6-4, 242-pound junior is just the latest in a line of big, blocking tight ends with good hands for the Badgers. He had eight touchdowns last season on 30 receptions for 356 yards in Wisconsin’s run-heavy offense. As much as he’ll want to improve on his 30 catches, blocking for Heisman-trophy candidate Montee Ball is still a big part of his responsibilities. He’s a preseason candidate for the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end. 

3. C.J. Fiedorowicz, Iowa

The 6-7, 265-pounder from Johnsburg, Ill., has the best chance of having a breakout season in this year's class. He has all the physical tools, a pass-first veteran quarterback in James Vandenberg, and a supporting cast of wide receivers who’ll take the pressure off of him. His receptions increased or stayed the same throughout the last six weeks of the season and he capped the year off with four catches and a touchdown in the Insight Bowl loss to Oklahoma. At 6-7, Fiedorowicz received scholarship offers from Wisconsin and Indiana to play basketball as well. 

4. Kyler Reed/Ben Cotton, Nebraska

This is the best duo of tight ends in the conference as they combined for 29 receptions for 446 yards last season. Cotton started the majority of last season before missing the final two games with injury but is expected to split time with Reed this season. Both players are seniors and understand that the only thing that matters is returning the Huskers to college football prominence and reaching the Rose Bowl. 

5. Jon Davis, Illinois

Davis has a prototypical tight end body at 6-3, 230-pounds. Davis had an extremely productive year as a freshman, catching 22 passes for 187 yards in 11 games. His season was highlighted with a five-reception, 53-yard performance at home vs. Wisconsin. Now that leading receiver A.J. Jenkins (90 receptions) is gone, QB Nathan Scheelhaase will certainly distribute his passes more evenly. Davis caught 19 passes in an eight-game stretch against Big Ten opponents.

For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigTen.