ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Ranking the Big Ten's top 30 players ...

No. 12

Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State, Sr., 6-5, 306

Odrick

Why he's here -- Aaron Maybin generated most of the hype on Penn State's D-line last year, but Odrick might have been the most important player up front. He emerged into one of the nation's top defensive ends in 2008, recording 41 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 4.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a safety. 

Odrick solidified Penn State's run defense, which finished eighth nationally (92.3 ypg). He bounced back extremely well from a 2007 season that was cut short by ankle and hand injuries. After Penn State's line took a hit because of suspensions to Maurice Evans and Abe Koroma, Odrick made sure the group wouldn't miss a beat. 

At 6-foot-5 and 306 pounds, Odrick is a nightmare for opposing centers. He will almost always command double teams, which will free up players like Jack Crawford and Eric Latimore to make plays. Odrick will contend for the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy this fall.

The Rundown

• No. 12 -- Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State
  
• No. 13 -- Kurt Coleman, S, Ohio State
  
• No. 14 -- Juice Williams, QB, Illinois
  
• No. 15 -- Amari Spievey, CB, Iowa
  
• No. 16 -- John Clay, RB, Wisconsin
  
• No. 17 -- Garrett Graham, TE, Wisconsin
• No. 18 -- Adam Weber, QB, Minnesota
  
• No. 19 -- Jammie Kirlew, DE, Indiana
  
• No. 20 -- Pat Angerer, LB, Iowa
• No. 21 -- Brad Phillips, S, Northwestern
• No. 22 -- Brandon Minor, RB, Michigan
  
• No. 23 -- Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa
  
• No. 24 -- Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
  
• No. 25 -- Traye Simmons, CB, Minnesota
  
• No. 26 -- Thaddeus Gibson, DE, Ohio State
  
• No. 27 -- Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State
  
• No. 28 -- Matt Mayberry, LB, Indiana
• No. 29 -- Martez Wilson, LB, Illinois
  
• No. 30 -- Trevor Anderson, DE, Michigan State