Rob Weintraub's Big Ten Alumni Trophies

Beethoven's Ninth Symphony is more commonly known as the Ode to Joy. Weintraub's Ninth Symphony—aka the ninth annual Alumni Awards, my selections for every season's best NFL player from each of the Power 5 college programs—is similarly a joyous occasion that caps this football season. It's a great way to gauge the health of the collegiate teams, an indicator of the volatility of the pro game, and, most of all, a fun argument starter.

BIG TEN CONFERENCE

ILLINOIS (13)

2012: Vontae Davis, CB, Indianapolis

2013: Whitney Mercilus, DE/LB, Houston

2014: Vontae Davis, CB, Indianapolis

2015: Whitney Mercilus, DE/LB, Houston

2016: Whitney Mercilus, DE/LB, Houston

2017: Clayton Fejedelem, S, Cincinnati

2018:…