It's the Elite Eight portion of our preseason player rankings, based on past performance and potential impact for the 2011 season. No. 8 is great and he is ...

No. 8: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa, Jr. 6-6, 300

2010 numbers: Started all 13 games at left tackle. Was named second-team All-Big Ten by coaches and media.

Why he's here: Reiff is both huge and nimble and has quickly become an anchor on the Iowa offense. He's projected to be a potential top 15 NFL draft pick, and while pro stock doesn't factor into our rankings, that at least gives you an idea of how scouts view Reiff at a position that doesn't generate a lot of stats. The Hawkeyes will be breaking in a new starting quarterback this year with James Vandenberg, and there's no better security blanket for him than having Reiff guard his blind side. Mike Adams would give Reiff a run for his money as the Big Ten's best tackle, but Reiff has the advantage of starting out the season without a suspension.
Previously

• No. 25: Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin
• No. 24: Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State
• No. 23: Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa
• No. 22: Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa
• No. 21: Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, Illinois
• No. 20: John Simon, DL, Ohio State
• No. 19: Ricardo Allen, CB, Purdue
• No. 18: Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
• No. 17: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
• No. 16: Derek Moye, WR, Penn State
• No. 15: Jeremy Ebert, WR, Northwestern
• No. 14: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
• No. 13: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
• No. 12: David Molk, C, Michigan
• No .11: Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
• No. 10: Mike Martin, DT, Michigan
• No. 9: Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State