Big Ten Football: Power Ranking the Top 25 Players for the 2011 Season
Now that the backlash from "Crygate" has settled down, we can focus on other more relevant issues.
Like college football.
Yep, only about six more months until the roller coaster ride that is college football begins again.
The Big Ten was one of the most exciting conferences to watch last season and ended in a three-way tie for first place.
But many of the players that contributed to the greatness of last season have moved on to play on Sundays.
So, what's left?
Never fear, from Denard Robinson to Chris Borland, and Taylor Martinez to Kirk Cousins, there is plenty of talent returning to amaze us this fall.
Check it out...
25. Gary Tinsley LB: Minnesota
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After a season of futility, when it seems like all hope (in the form of Adam Weber) is gone, the Gophers have at least one bright spot anchoring the defensive unit.
Senior Gary Tinsley led the Golden Gophers in tackles last season and recorded 9.5 TFLs to go with two sacks.
24. Roy Roundtree WR: Michigan
2 of 25The Wolverines had an explosive offense last season.
Roundtree will help quarterback Denard Robinson make it even more explosive this season.
Roundtree, in his third year in Maize and Blue, can be expected to make the leap from solid to very good.
If he can eliminate dropped passes, such as he had against OSU and Wisconsin, he will be one of the elite wide receivers in the conference.
23. Nathan Scheelhaase QB: Illinois
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This freshman quarterback was a pleasant addition to the Illini offense last season, passing for 17 touchdowns, while rushing for five more.
He is athletic, has a big arm, and is savvy enough to read defenses, and he will only get better with experience.
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22. Kirk Cousins QB: Michigan State
4 of 25Cue all the lame "Captain Kirk" references.
All kidding aside, this guy is good.
Cousins completed almost 67 percent of his passes, and he has the help on the offensive side of the ball to help him make those numbers even better.
21. Jeremy Ebert WR: Northwestern
5 of 25Ebert finished with almost 1,000 yards receiving, to go with eight touchdowns, and this 6'1" dynamo has the speed and sure hands to handle any pass quarterback Dan Persa heaves his way.
Next task—win a bowl game.
20. Derek Moye WR: Penn State
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Penn State is somewhat of an enigma going into next season, but one sure thing JoePa and company can rely on is WR Derek Moye.
Moye averaged almost 17 yards per reception, to go with eight touchdowns last season.
With a quarterback that can get him the ball, he will be a lethal weapon.
19. Marcus Coker RB: Iowa
7 of 25
Coker is at this spot on the list due to the uncertainty surrounding the Iowa running back position.
That being said, if given enough carries, Coker has the talent and potential to break 1,200 yards this season.
18. Chris Borland LB: Wisconsin
8 of 25Borland had to sit out the entire conference slate last season, but was a game changer and won the offensive Freshman of the Year award in his first season.
He is extremely quick and when he lines up at defensive end, usually finds a way into the backfield.
He also forces fumbles and soars high in the air with the greatest of ease to block punts.
But seriously, he is extremely athletic and a difficult blocking matchup.
17. Ralph Bolden RB: Purdue
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With a less than spectacular passing offense, the Boilers will rely heavily on the run game.
Bolden finished last season averaging 4.7 yards per carry and almost hit the thousand yard mark.
16. B.J. Cunningham WR: Michigan State
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With the departure of fellow MSU receiver Mark Dell, Cunningham should see his production go up.
He was a clutch guy last year in big games for Sparty, scoring a touchdown in their victory over Wisconsin and finishing with 101 yards against Notre Dame.
Cunningham finished with nine touchdowns on the season.
15. Edwin Baker RB: Michigan State
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Baker had a great season last year, bursting into a place of prominence in the Spartans offense with strong running and determination to finish.
Baker finished the season with 13 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards.
14. Alfonzo Dennard CB: Nebraska
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Nebraska's first season in the Big Ten promises to be strong defensively.
Dennard played opposite shut down corner Prince Amukamara, and his combo of speed and physicality make him the ideal guy to step up in Amukamara's absence.
He finished 2010 with 28 solo tackles and four interceptions.
13. Dan Herron RB: Ohio State
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In Herron's junior season, he almost doubled his total yards.
He won't make a huge leap this year, as he will miss the first five games of the season due to suspension, but Herron is a shifty back with the strength to break tackles and gain the tough yardage.
Herron finished last season with 1,155 yards and 16 touchdowns.
12. Montee Ball RB: Wisconsin
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Ball was a part of the triumvirate of rushers the Badgers used last season, and had undoubtedly the most important plays of the season for the Badgers.
He finished with 18 touchdowns, 996 yards and a 6.1 yards per carry average to go with no fumbles.
Not bad for a third option, huh?
And with beastly John Clay departing for the NFL, Ball and fellow back James White will see that many more carries.
11. Mike Adams LT : Ohio State
15 of 25In the wake of "tattoo-gate," Adams will be one of the Buckeyes on the sidelines for the first five games of next season.
This does not take away from his talent, however.
Adams was named First Team All Big Ten by both the coaches and media, and may be one of the best at his position in the country.
10. Mike Martin DT: Michigan
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Let's be honest, Michigan's defense is more porous than swiss cheese.
New defensive coordinator Greg Mattison doesn't have much to work with, but Martin is a diamond in the rough.
He has the athleticism and strength to hold the center of the line, and the speed to pursue the speedy backs in the Big Ten.
9. Marvin McNutt WR: Iowa
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McNutt is an interesting guy to watch.
He is battling with Belcher as the best receiver in the conference, and he may have the edge.
While not the fastest guy in the world, McNutt runs precise routes and has the sure hands and leaping ability that make him a great target.
8. Taylor Martinez QB : Nebraska
18 of 25Freshman Taylor Martinez wowed the country with his combination of speed and accuracy through the early part of last season.
Hampered by injuries and disputes with head coach Bo Pelini, Martinez saw a decline in his numbers.
However, we can expect a rebound in the 2011 campaign as Martinez matures and gains experience.
7. Damarlo Belcher WR: Indiana
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With the departure of starting QB Ben Chappell, the Hoosiers lose some firepower on offense.
Damarlo Belcher is the perfect guy to help his new quarterback out.
Belcher has strong hands and great leaping ability, and may be the best receiver in the conference.
6. Lavonte David LB: Nebraska
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Ah yes, yet another Nebraska Cornhusker in the top ten, and we are not even done yet.
Simply put, David is a tough matchup.
He has the speed to hang with receivers in coverage, and the strength to blow up blockers.
Think a super hyper Greg Jones.
5. James White RB : Wisconsin
21 of 25The defending Freshman of the Year hopes to avoid a sophomore slump this season.
White has that burst and elusiveness that you don't usually see in a Wisconsin back, and his home run hitting speed is a scary thing.
The battle between White and Montee Ball for the starting spot should be one of the more interesting stories of the spring for UW.
4. Jared Crick DT: Nebraska
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Crick is a monster.
He has recorded 9.5 sacks each of the last two years, and was First Team All Big 12 last season.
Crick decided to bypass the draft and finish his college career creating nightmares for Big Ten offensive coordinators.
3.Terrelle Pryor QB: Ohio State
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Pryor has not exactly lived up to his potential and hype stat-wise, but there is no denying the guy wins games.
With two BCS game wins on his resume, and another one very likely, Pryor has the physical ability and intangible leadership skills to take a huge leap and finally live up to all that hype.
If he can quit selling stuff he's not supposed too.
2. Dan Persa QB: Northwestern
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Persa was very, very good last season.
He threw for over 2,500 yards and rushed for over 500 to go with 24 touchdowns in only 10 games last season.
A year older, with experience around him, and Persa looks set to have another fantastic year.
1. Denard Robinson QB : Michigan
25 of 25"Shoelace" is absolutely the best player in the conference, hands down.
He wreaks havoc on opposing defenses with his ridiculous ability to evade tacklers, and showed flashes of precision and arm strength at times last season.
Robinson will have to stay healthy, and if he does, the Wolverines will be a tough out next season.
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