Big Ten Football: Ranking the Big Ten Starting Centers

Every Tuesday, the Big Ten Blog will rank the top players at each position for each team in the Big Ten. Today, we're going for the men in the middle of the maelstrom: the centers. This list is subject to change, as offensive linemen switch positions often—particularly among guards and centers—but here's the way it stands as of mid-April.

12. Zach Mottla, Minnesota

Mottla is the most "up in the air" of the guys on this list, so between that and the fact that he's a former walk-on with no playing experience, he'll bring up the rear. Nonetheless, he was the second-string center as a redshirt freshman last year, and he'll definitely be in the mix to start, so he's not a pushover.

11. Cole Pensick, Nebraska

It's tough business replacing Mike Caputo, and Pensick didn't work his way into much playing time in his first two years of eligibility. He's a weight room beast, though, and Nebraska's the kind of program where being able to mash the man in front of you is a very valuable skill.

10. Rick Schmeig, Purdue

Schmeig is one of Purdue's most seasons veterans on the line, and he was perfectly serviceable there in 2011. He's back as the leader of the pack, and his sustained success and durability are going to be crucial as the Boilermaker offense looks for one big year from Robert Marve and company.

9. Ricky Barnum, Michigan

Ninth may be charitable for Barnum after a relatively lackluster spring game showing, but the fact is that according to practice reports and interviews from the coaches, Barnum earned his way into that role throughout the spring and left very little doubt in the process that he was the best man for the job. Assuming the snap problems disappear through 2012, he'll be fine.

8. Corey Linsley, Ohio State

Linsley's a 4-star lineman recruit in his fourth year with the Buckeye program, so he's going to have a physical advantage on the majority of the linemen he faces. He has worked his way into the starting role this spring, and that's pretty much set in ink.

7. Brandon Vitabile, Northwestern

Vitabile is Northwestern's next four-year starter at center; this just happens to be year two. He worked his way into the starting lineup early in the 2011 season, and he's firmly entrenched there now. He's strong, athletic and well suited for the task; that he's ranked seventh on this list demonstrates what a bumper crop of centers there is in the Big Ten this year.

6. Travis Jackson, Michigan State

Michigan State is in the enviable position of essentially bringing back six returning starters, as two talented linemen were lost early in the season; they're both back. One of those linemen is former center Blake Treadwell, and his replacement, Travis Jackson, is not letting the spot go. Jackson excelled as a freshman after being called into duty, and he's been fending off staff favorite Jack Allen in spring practices.

5. Matt Stankiewitch, Penn State

Penn State's got a lot on its table as it transitions to a Bill O'Brien offense, but its rock on the offensive line is Matt Stankiewitch, a senior and the only returning starter from a solid 2011 line. Stankiewitch excelled at run blocking last year, and he's excellent at both moving the point of attack and reaching the next level for sealing off linebackers. Expect him to be named one of the team captains this fall.  

4. Will Matte, Indiana

There may be no more underappreciated player in the entire conference than Matte, who comes into 2012 as a prohibitive lock to be a four-year starter at center for the Hoosiers. He has 33 starts under his belt already (and only injury has prevented that number from being higher)—all at center—and his blocking is among the best in the Big Ten. He was a seven-time game captain for the Hoosiers last year; that number will rise. 

3. James Ferentz, Iowa

Iowa's rock on the offensive line is James Ferentz, who will be coming into his third year starting at center for his father, Kirk, and the Hawkeyes. Ferentz is one of the top centers in the nation and rarely gets beaten off the ball, and his leadership will be crucial for an offensive line that has found itself in a state of flux over the past couple seasons.

2. Graham Pocic, Illinois

Graham Pocic came to Illinois as a highly decorated recruit, and he has delivered on that promise in spades. He'll be a three-year starter in 2012, he's a bona fide NFL prospect (Tim Beckman actually had to convince Pocic to come back for his senior year), and he can absolutely crush. If Illinois succeeds on offense in 2012, Pocic's going to be a big reason why.

1. Travis Frederick, Wisconsin

How do you replace Peter Konz, the best center in the Big Ten in 2011? You slide over your best guard and make him the best center in the Big Ten in 2012. Look for Wisconsin to not miss a beat with Frederick in the middle, and that is a scary prospect for the rest of the conference.

Frederick is tremendously talented—he started the season opener in 2009 as a true freshman. He's huge (nearly 340 pounds) and one of the strongest men in the nation (770-pound squat). He's impressing new offensive coordinator Matt Canada with his calls. And he's only a junior (Frederick missed 2010 to injury).

Simply put, he is a beast to end all beasts.