Michigan State (7). The 1987 Michigan State Spartans football team was undefeated in conference play and won the conference championship.[3] In addition to Lorenzo White, six other Michigan State players earned first-team all-conference honors. The remaining honorees were offensive tackle Tony Mandarich, center Pat Shurmur, linebacker Percy Snow, defensive backs Todd Krumm and John Miller, and punter Greg Montgomery.[1][2] Mandarich was named the Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, and head coach George Perles was selected by the conference coaches as the Big Ten Coach of the Year.[5]
Iowa (6). The 1987 Iowa Hawkeyes team under head coach Hayden Fry finished in second place in the conference and placed six players on the first-team All-Big Ten teams. The Hawkeyes contingent was led by quarterback Chuck Hartlieb and who received first-team honors from the AP and UPI and led the conference with 2,855 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, and a 161.4 passing efficiency rating.[3] The other Iowa honorees were tight end Marv Cook, receiver Quinn Early, defensive lineman Dave Haight, defensive back Kerry Burt and kicker Rob Houghtlin.[1][2] Haight was selected as the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Michigan (5). The 1987 Michigan team under head coach Bo Schembechler placed five players on the first team. The Michigan contingent was led by running back Jamie Morris led the conference with 1,703 rushing yards and 1,825 yards from scrimmage and received first-team honors from both the AP and UPI.[1][2][3] The other Michigan first-team players were defensive tackle Mark Messner and offensive linemen Jumbo Elliott, John Vitale, and Mike Husar.[1][2]
Ohio State (4). The 1987 Ohio State team under head coach Earl Bruce placed four players on the All-Big Ten first team. The Ohio State honorees were linebacker Chris Spielman, defensive lineman Eric Kumerow, defensive back William White, and punter Tom Tupa.[1][2] Spielman was the only player unanimously selected by all of the voters on the AP media panel.[1]
Indiana (3). Three Indiana Hoosiers players were also recognized as first-team honorees. In addition to Co-Big Ten Player of the Year Ernie Jones, the other two Indiana first-team players were linebacker Van Waiters and offensive guard Don Shrader.[1][2] Running back Anthony Thompson rushed for 1,014 yards and was selected as a second-team honoree by the UPI,[2][3] and head coach Bill Mallory was selected by the conference media as the Big Ten Coach of the Year.[1]