Big Ten misses the mark by snubbing Daniel Jackson from all-conference teams

Jackson apparently didn't have the touchdown numbers to catch the attention of coaches and media.

Oct 26, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Daniel Jackson (9) celebrates his touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images / Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

While left tackle Aireontae Ersery, linebacker Cody Lindenberg and freshman safety Koi Perich were named All-Big Ten First Team selections on Tuesday, Minnesota wide receiver Daniel Jackson was snubbed.

Jackson wasn't just snubbed from the First Team; he didn't get picked as a second- or third-team selection. In fact, both the coaches and voting members of the media snubbed Jackson from all three all-conference teams.

That's just flat out absurd considering Jackson finished the regular season with 75 catches for 863 yards and four touchdowns. While his touchdown production was on the lower side, he ranked third in the Big Ten in receptions and sixth in receiving yards.

No one will question the first-team selections — Maryland's Tai Felton and Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith — but Jackson certainly had a case to be one of the two receivers selected to the second and third teams, which oh by the way were identical in the voting results from the coaches and the media.

Second-team picks: Illinois' Pat Bryant and Oregon's Tez Johnson.

Third-team picks: Indiana's Elijah Sarratt and Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka.

Let's look at how Jackson compares to those four players.

Player	Receptions	Yards	TD
Daniel Jackson	75	863	4
Pat Bryant	54	984	10
Tez Johnson	67	685	9
Elijah Sarratt	49	890	8
Emeka Egbuka	60	743	9

Now let's compare how all five performed in only Big Ten games.

Player	Receptions	Yards	TD
Daniel Jackson	63	707	4
Pat Bryant	39	749	6
Tez Johnson	45	495	7
Elijah Sarratt	38	694	7
Emeka Egbuka	46	477	8

It's very clear that Jackson was snubbed because his touchdown numbers weren't as impressive as the others. But there's no doubting that Jackson carried more weight as the guy required to move the chains on a regular basis. If Jackson weren't on the field, the Gophers' passing offense would've tanked.

Last year, Jackson was voted All-Big Ten Second Team by the coaches and the media after he finished the 2023 season with 59 catches for 831 yards and eight touchdowns.

It's clear that touchdowns carry more weight in the eyes of voters and that makes college football look pretty dumb considering everyone in the NFL knows that Justin Jefferson is the best even though 15 players have more receiving touchdowns than him right now.

Daniel Jackson deserved better. At least he gets one more chance to showcase his skills for the Gophers in a yet to be announced bowl game.