2010 Big Ten Preseason Wide Receiver Power Rankings

The 2010 season could be a breakout year for several wide receivers in the Big Ten.

The entire conference is loaded with talent at wideout, and should be able to improve upon a decent 2009 season.

Seven of the league's top 10 receivers return to action this fall, including a few big playmakers and record-breakers.

This year's conference play should produce several highlight-worthy catches. Is it September yet?

No, but this Big Ten Preseason Wide Receiver Power Rankings list should help kill some time...

13. Da’Jon McKnight, Minnesota

McKnight saw action late in the season after Eric Decker was injured, and put up some decent numbers against Michigan State and Iowa.

He had 17 receptions in 2009 for 311 yards, and should surpass that in 2010.

12. Roy Roundtree, Michigan

Roundtree had an impressive freshman year. He hauled in 32 passes for 434 yards and three touchdowns in 2009.

Ten of those receptions came against Purdue, when he racked up 126 yards. Roundtree also earned over 100 yards against Ohio State.

11. Dane Sanzenbacher, Ohio State

Sanzenbacher was selected to Phil Steele's fourth-team All-Big Ten, but many feel that was a tad low.

He quietly caught 35 passes for 563 yards and six touchdowns in 2009, and is considered the toughest wide receiver in the conference.

10. Graham Zug, Penn State

Zug was Penn State's second-leading receiver in 2009, recorded 600 yards and seven touchdowns. Against Michigan State's tough defense, he rang up 99 yards and two touchdowns.

He is one of the Big Ten's more underrated receivers.

9. Derek Moye, Penn State

Moye was Penn State's leading receiver last year. He caught 48 passes for almost 800 yards, and averaged over 60 receiving yards a game.

He gives PSU's new starting quarterback Kevin Newsome a solid target to hit in 2010.

8. B.J. Cunningham, Michigan State

In his sophomore year at Michigan State, Cunningham was among the conference receiving leaders.

He caught 48 passes for 641 yards and four scores in 2009, putting him second on the team in receiving.

Cunningham is one of seven players charged with assault and suspended from team activities, something that could affect his numbers in 2010.

7. Marvin McNutt, Iowa

Iowa's second leading receiver, McNutt recorded 674 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2009.

McNutt led the league in average yards per catch (19.82) and his eight scores had the sophomore tied for third in the Big Ten in receiving touchdowns.

6. Nick Toon, Wisconsin

To go along with a great name, Wisconsin's top wideout Nick Toon caught 54 passes for 805 yards in 2009.

With a loaded Badger offense, Toon should open up for more long yardage bombs from Scott Tolzien in 2010.

5. Damarlo Belcher, Indiana

No, Damarlo Belcher is not a character from HBO's series "The Wire." Belcher is actually a great receiver out of Indiana.

In 2009, he had 61 receptions for 770 yards and five touchdowns. Surprisingly, that only made him Indiana's second leading receiver.

Photo: Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

4. DeVier Posey, Ohio State

Posey is as talented as they come, and recorded eight touchdowns for 828 receiving yards in 2009. He was selected 2010 Preseason All-Big Ten by Phil Steele.

As scary as it sounds, he should have no problem surpassing those numbers in 2010 if Ohio State makes a run at the National Championship like many predict.

3. Tandon Doss, Indiana

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg says "Doss has all the skills to become one of the nation's elite wide receivers."

His 77 receptions for 962 receiving yards in 2009 are convincing, and Doss was second in the Big Ten in receiving yards per game.

2. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, Iowa

The man they call Mr. Third Down, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in 2009 for good reason.

Johnson-Koulianos is on the verge of breaking a few receiving records at Iowa in 2010.

He has led the Hawkeyes in receiving for the past three straight years, and only needs a little over 200 more yards to become Iowa's all-time receiving yards leader.

1. Keith Smith, Purdue

Smith led the Big Ten in receiving in 2009, hauling in 91 catches for 1,100 yards and six touchdowns.

That is a huge reason for his appearance on Phil Steele's Preseason First Team All-Big Ten.

He will have a new quarterback throwing to him in 2010, but Smith should be one of the Big Ten's most productive wide-outs again in the fall.

Extra Bonus: Ranking Receivers By Name Awesomeness

The Big Ten receiving corps has several memorable names. Here is a peek of the Power Rankings done by name awesomeness...

1. Nick Toon
2. Marvin McNutt
3. Damarlo Belcher
4. Tandon Doss
5. Dane Sanzenbacher