One College Football Player Each Big Ten Team Will Miss the Most in 2012-13

As is the case every year in college football, the great players we've grown accustomed to watching play on Saturdays for the past four years graduate on to the NFL to make their living on Sundays.

The following year, programs often find themselves searching endlessly for capable replacements that simply don't exist.

All 12 programs in the Big Ten will be looking to fill some very big shoes left behind by upper-class talent moving on to the NFL in 2012.

Let's take a look one player each Big Ten team will miss the most next season.

12. Indiana: Jeff Thomas, Linebacker

Indiana middle linebacker Jeff Thomas was voted by the coaches as an honorable mention All-Big Ten performer in 2011.

Thomas led the Hoosiers with 80 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss.  

In his two-year career at IU, Thomas combined for 162 tackles and 18 tackles for loss.

11. Minnesota: Kim Royston, Safety

Minnesota safety Kim Royston was voted as an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and the media.  

The sixth-year senior ranked second in the Big Ten in tackles with 123 on the season.

10. Illinois: A.J. Jenkins, Wide Receiver

Illinois wide receiver A.J. Jenkins was voted first-team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and the media while racking up 86 catches for 1,196 yards and seven touchdowns during his senior season.

Jenkins exploded in the Fighting Illini's Big Ten opener versus Northwestern, totaling 12 receptions for 268 yards and three touchdowns.

He finished the year ranked 16th in the nation in both receiving yards and receptions.

9. Northwestern: Drake Dunsmore, Tight End

Northwestern tight end Drake Dusnmore was named the Tight End of the Year award-winner for the 2011 Big Ten season.

Dusnmore racked up 43 receptions for 509 yards and six touchdowns as a senior for the Wildcats.

He broke two school records in a game at Indiana where he caught seven balls for 112 yards and four touchdowns.

He not only broke the career record for receiving yards by a tight end during the game, his four scores broke the single-game receiving record at Northwestern.

8. Ohio State: Mike Adams, Left Tackle

Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams was a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2011 and a projected late first-, early second-round NFL draft pick.

One of the best left tackles in the nation, Adams will make the left tackle position a top priority for new head coach Urban Meyer in 2012.

7. Purdue: Carson Wiggs, Kicker

The Boilermakers' senior kicker Carson Wiggs became a YouTube sensation after kicking a 67-yard field goal in the Purdue spring game this past April.

Wiggs was a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2011 and racked up 280 career points during his four-year career at Purdue.

Wiggs is projected by many as one of best kicking prospects available for the 2012 NFL draft.

6. Iowa: Riley Reiff, Offensive Tackle

Offensive tackle Riley Reiff was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2011 and is projected as a top-10 NFL draft pick in 2012.

Although he has one year of eligibility remaining, Reiff is considered by many to be the No. 1 offensive tackle prospect in the country and it would have to be considered a fairly big upset if he chooses to return to Iowa for his senior season.

5. Nebraska: Alfonzo Dennard, Cornerback

Nebraska cornerback Alfonzo Dennard was voted as the Defensive Back of the Year award-winner in the Big Ten this season.

After racking up four interceptions as a junior, Dennard saw very few passes thrown his way during his senior year and is projected as a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

4. Penn State: Devon Still, Defensive End/Tackle

Devon Still was named Defensive Lineman of the Year in the Big Ten and is projected as a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

In three years at Penn Sate, Still totaled 106 tackles, 11 sacks and 26 tackles for loss while being named a first-team All-American by the AP.

3. Michigan: David Molk, Center

David Molk earned a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and was named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Molk was also selected first-team All-America by numerous media outlets, including the Associated Press.

2. Michigan State: Jerel Worthy, Defensive Tackle

Jerel Worthy was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and the media in 2011.

After racking up 102 tackles, 12 sacks and 20 tackles for loss in three seasons at Michigan State, Worthy is projected as a late first-round draft pick in 2012.

At 6'3", 310 lbs, he has ideal size for a starting tackle at the next level.

1. Wisconsin: Russell Wilson, Quarterback

Russell Wilson was voted as the Quarterback of the Year in the Big Ten after posting 2879 yards passing and a 10.3-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio (31 touchdowns, three interceptions).

Wilson also rushed for 320 yards and five touchdowns while leading the Badgers to the Big Ten title and a second consecutive trip to the Rose Bowl.

A transfer from NC State with one year of eligibility remaining, Wilson was everything the Badgers had hoped for and more.

The question for Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema now becomes, how can he possibly replace Wilson's productivity in 2012?