The Big Ten postseason player rankings, based on past performance and future potential, continue with ...
No. 16

Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue, Jr., 6-4, 263

Preseason rank: 24

Why he's here: The Big Ten was stacked with elite defensive linemen in 2009, and Kerrigan largely flew under the radar. But a look at his statistics and his potential for great things at the pro level tells me he deserves to be in this spot and will be much higher in the 2010 preseason rankings. Kerrigan ranked third nationally in sacks (13) and tied for first in forced fumbles (7), leading the Big Ten in both categories. He ranked fourth in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (18.5) and led Big Ten defensive linemen in total tackles with 66.

Need more evidence? Watch the film of Purdue's upset win against Ohio State. Kerrigan was the single-biggest reason the Boilers won the game, as he made Terrelle Pryor miserable for three-plus hours. The NFL scouts I've talked to like him a lot, and he'll enter 2010 as one of the Big Ten's top three defensive linemen alongside Iowa's Adrian Clayborn and Ohio State's Cameron Heyward. Kerrigan has recorded 20 sacks and 30 tackles for loss in the past two seasons.

The rundown

• No. 30: Michigan State WR Blair White
• No. 29: Northwestern DE Corey Wootton
• No. 28: Wisconsin TE Garrett Graham
• No. 27: Ohio State LG Justin Boren
• No. 26: Iowa S Tyler Sash
• No. 25: Northwestern QB Mike Kafka
• No. 24: Penn State C Stefen Wisniewski
• No. 23: Michigan CB Donovan Warren
• No. 22: Northwestern CB Sherrick McManis
• No. 21: Ohio State DE Thaddeus Gibson
• No. 20: Indiana DE Jammie Kirlew
• No. 19: Iowa LB Pat Angerer
• No. 18: Wisconsin DE O'Brien Schofield
• No. 17: Illinois WR Arrelious Benn