2011 NFL Draft: Power Ranking the Big Ten's Top 25 Prospects
The Big Ten is duking it out here in November, but what Top 25 prospects from this conference will be going in the 2011 NFL Draft?
Gabe Carimi and Adrian Clayborn both are big-time prospects, while Ohio State has a bunch of guys that could go in the middle rounds.
We're going to take a look at the top 25 prospects from the Big Ten as they stand right now in November. Keep an eye on the rankings to see what changes could be made between now and April.
25. John Moffitt, OG Wisconsin
1 of 25
Moffitt has the size to be a good offensive lineman in the NFL, but scouts note he's not as quick as other prospects and can be inconsistent.
The inconsistency can be coached up, and Moffitt should make a solid backup in the NFL next year.
24. Charlie Gantt, TE Michigan State
2 of 25
Gantt is described as an average prospect, but he can read defenses and get to an open area to catch the ball. He also is described as a good blocker, so that gives him an extra layer to increase his draft position.
23. Evan Royster, RB Penn State
3 of 25
Evan Royster has potential, but he won't be high on anyone's draft board this spring. He can hit the lane and make defenders miss as he cuts back in or out, so he should end up on someone's roster.
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22. Troy Woolfolk, S Michigan
4 of 25
Woolfolk is known for being able to make reads and tackles with his long arms. He's been known to be out of position, but he has the speed to catch up.
21. Jermale Hines, S Ohio State
5 of 25
Hines is comfortable lining up on the line or dropping back, he goes for the big play and is capable of making it.
His aggressiveness sometimes puts him in bad position, but his drive and intelligence should allow him to mature into a great pro safety.
20. Dexter Larimore, DT Ohio State
6 of 25
Dexter Larimore is being touted as a great run blocker with average pass rushing skills, but he takes up a lot of space and can collapse the pocket.
19. Devon Torrence, CB Ohio State
7 of 25
Torrence is good in zone coverage, can turn and follow receivers and catch the ball. As a former wide receiver, he's still adjusting to the position, though, so that will hurt him on the draft boards at this point.
18. Brandon Saine, RB Ohio State
8 of 25
Our run of mid-round Ohio State prospects continues with Brandon Saine, who is described as a "downhill runner" who fights to stay inbounds, get extra yards and is quick to avoid tackles.
Saine could be a great find for a team in the third or fourth round.
17. Nick Toon, WR Wisconsin
9 of 25
Son of NFL receiver Al Toon, Nick already is excelling at reading defense, making catches without breaking stride and has above average height and weight for a receiver prospect.
16. Chimdi Chekwa, CB Ohio State
10 of 25
Chimki is good at reading the plays and can keep up with receivers and adapt to the play. He's good in the air and competes for the ball. Chimki is a legitimate threat to intercept the ball if the quarterback sends it his way.
15. Lance Kendricks, TE Wisconsin
11 of 25
Kendricks is a guy who can get the ball, make the blocks and is quick enough to get around linebackers.
Kendricks has received knocks for his technique and preparation, but scouts note all of these things are improving.
14. John Clay, RB Wisconsin
12 of 25
Clay is listed as quick, but not explosive, and he has a few bad fumbles on his resume. However, he's good at breaking tackles and fighting for the extra yards, which is a great quality in any running back prospect.
13. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, WR Iowa
13 of 25
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos has averaged more than 16 yards per catch the last two years and has shown that not only can he get open, he can get yards after the catch and break away from the coverage.
He has good hands and appears to be a good route runner. He should go no lower than the third round, and may sneak into the second round.
12. Karl Klug, DE Iowa
14 of 25
At 6'4", 270 lbs., Klug is a big guy who takes up space on the line and can shut down the running lanes. He's forced three fumbles this year and had four sacks.
His ability to get to the quarterback and force turnovers definitely will get the scouts attention this spring.
11. Stefan Wisniewski, C Penn State
15 of 25
Stefan Wisniewski is listed as average in his size and bulk for a center, but he's quick, good at staying in position and staying with the defender but is knocked for his perceived inconsistency.
10. Christian Ballard, DT Iowa
16 of 25
Ballard makes his presence known on the field, although his sack production is down this year due to increased double teams.
Ballard can make tackles and is good at knowing where the ball is on the field. He has second-round draft possibility.
9. Steve Schilling, OG Michigan
17 of 25
Steve Schilling is good with his hands, can push blockers down and can absorb the pass rush without getting knocked over.
Schilling is noted to be better at pass protection than run blocking, but with the quarterback-driven NFL the way it is, that should raise Schilling's draft value.
8. Ross Homan, ILB Ohio State
18 of 25
Ross Homan is described as an average-sized prospect, but he can get all over the field and is an excellent tackler who uses his long arms to wrap runners up and bring them down.
7. Greg Jones, ILB Michigan State
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Jones is a tough player who finds the ball and makes the tackle. He's not afraid to take on the offensive line and doesn't back down from a surge.
Scouts describe his skills and technique as excellent.
6. DeVier Posey, WR Ohio State
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Posey is a good route runner, is quick and has good hands. He finds the seams and can change speeds and make cuts at a pro level.
It's strange he's not ranked higher on the national draft boards when you read his scouting reports.
5. J.J. Watt, DE Wisconsin
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Watt is showing the world this year that he's got potential to be a great pass rusher in the NFL. He's got great moves and gets into the backfield a lot, putting pressure on the quarterback.
He would make a great fit in a 3-4 defensive scheme.
4. Corey Liuget, DT Illinois
22 of 25
Corey Liuget had 11 tackles against Michigan State last month, and has trimmed down a bit this season to 285 pounds.
He's thriving under a new defensive coordinator and wants to be the kind of prospect Adrian Clayborn is being touted as.
This is a guy who wants it, and teams will see that when they do their homework next spring.
3. Cameron Heyward, DE Ohio State
23 of 25
Cameron Heyward is described as explosive and relentless. He gets off the line with lightning speed and can make the tackles.
He's got the size and bulk to be an NFL player, and can line up at multiple positions.
2. Gabe Carimi, OT Wisconsin
24 of 25
Carimi is a first-round draft pick in a lot of mocks right now, and he's listed as having both great pass and run blocking skills.
Carimi adapts to the defenders and doesn't get pushed around. He absorbs blows and redirects that energy into his blocks. He picks up blitzes and holds his ground.
1. Adrian Clayborn, DE Iowa
25 of 25
Adrian Clayborn is a potential Top 10 pick with his size, speed and ability to get through the offensive line and make the sack or disrupt a play.
Clayborn is just as effective in the open field as he is on the line, and will be heavily scouted as the draft process continues.
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