ESPN College Football

Several Big Ten players who didn't hear their names called in New York during the weekend still received some good news about their football futures. As soon as the NFL draft concluded, the undrafted free agent scramble began.

Here's an initial list of Big Ten UFA signings. Every Big Ten squad except Indiana had a player signed through free agency. We'll be sure to post more as they become official.

ILLINOIS

• Derek Dimke, K, Detroit Lions
• Jason Ford, RB, Houston Texans
• Jack Cornell, OL, Baltimore Ravens

IOWA

• Broderick Binns, DE, Arizona Cardinals
• Tyler Nielsen, LB, Minnesota Vikings
• Brad Herman, TE, New England Patriots
• Markus Zusevics, OL, New England Patriots

MICHIGAN

• Ryan Van Bergen, DE, Carolina Panthers
• Troy Woolfolk, CB, Dallas Cowboys
• Michael Shaw, RB, Washington Redskins
• Brandon Herron, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

MICHIGAN STATE

• Brian Linthicum, TE, New York Jets
• Garrett Celek, TE, San Francisco 49ers
• Todd Anderson, FB, St. Louis Rams

MINNESOTA

• Eric Lair, TE, Green Bay Packers
• Duane Bennett, RB, Green Bay Packers

NEBRASKA

• Brandon Kinnie, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
• Yoshi Hardrick, OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NORTHWESTERN

• Al Netter, OL, San Francisco 49ers

OHIO STATE

• Mike Brewster, C, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Andrew Sweat, LB, Cleveland Browns
• J.B. Shugarts, OL, Cleveland Browns

PENN STATE

• Quinn Barham, OL, Detroit Lions
• Derek Moye, WR, Miami Dolphins
• D'Anton Lynn, CB, New York Jets
• Andrew Szczerba, TE, Dallas Cowboys
• Eric Latimore, DE, Minnesota Vikings
• Nick Sukay, S, Buffalo Bills
• Chaz Powell, CB, Oakland Raiders

PURDUE

• Joe Holland, LB, San Francisco 49ers
• Carson Wiggs, K, Seattle Seahawks
• Albert Evans, Miami Dolphins
• Jared Crank, FB, Arizona Cardinals

WISCONSIN

• Louis Nzegwu, DE, Atlanta Falcons
• Antonio Fenelus, CB, Indianapolis Colts
• Jake Byrne, TE, New Orleans Saints
• Aaron Henry, S, Oakland Raiders
• Patrick Butrym, DT, San Francisco 49ers

Several players seem to be in good situations, whether it's playing for their hometown team (Kinnie, Netter) or near a family member (Lynn, whose dad, Anthony, coaches running backs for the Jets). It's still shocking to see Brewster on this list rather than the draft one. I'm also surprised Moye, Wiggs, Linthicum and Dimke didn't get drafted.

Other Big Ten players have tryouts with NFL squads, such as Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa (Tampa Bay), Minnesota wide receiver Da'Jon McKnight (Minnesota Vikings), Indiana offensive lineman Chris McDonald (Miami, Green Bay) and Minnesota safety Kim Royston (Minnesota Vikings).

We covered all the offensive position groups in our postseason rankings series here, here, here and here. Now it's time to turn our attention to the defensive side of the ball.

Defensive tackle was the strongest position in the league in 2011, so that makes this a competitive situation. There are some major changes from our preseason order as well. Remember this is about overall production, and depth matters along with star power. The top four on this list are really, really strong.

Here we go:

1. Michigan State: The Spartans finished with the top total defense in the Big Ten and one of the best in the nation, and it all started with a dominant front. All-American tackle Jerel Worthy commanded extra attention inside and was joined by Kevin Pickelman and Anthony Rashad White as forces inside. William Gholston was brilliant at times, never more so than in the Outback Bowl win over Georgia. And freshman Marcus Rush turned in an outstanding season at the other defensive end spot. The Spartans had no weaknesses at this position in 2011.

2. Michigan: We projected the Wolverines would make a significant leap in '11, but the amount of improvement still surprised us. The combination of head coach Brady Hoke and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, both defensive line coaches at heart, and valuable seniors Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen made this the backbone of Michigan's Sugar Bowl run. The Wolverines were especially tough in short-yardage situations because their defensive front was so stout.

3. Penn State: Big Ten defensive player of the year Devon Still wrecked just about everybody's game plan with a huge senior campaign. Jordan Hill had a solid, underrated year next to him inside. Jack Crawford stayed healthy and contributed 6.5 sacks, while Eric Latimore and Sean Stanley combined for another 7.5 quarterback takedowns.

4. Illinois: Defensive end Whitney Mercilus was a consensus first-team All-American who led the nation in sacks and forced fumbles. Nobody saw that coming. He had good company along the line as well, with guys like Akeem Spence inside and Michael Buchanan at the other end spot. The Illini may have faltered down the stretch as a team, but the D-line stayed strong throughout the year.

5. Wisconsin: The Badgers didn't have many household names on the defensive line, and certainly no one stood out like J.J. Watt the year before. But Bret Bielema relied on a solid group of veterans that helped the team finish third in the league in total defense and fifth in sacks. Patrick Butrym, Louis Nzegwu, Brendan Kelly and Ethan Hemer were part of a group that played better than the sum of its parts.

6. Ohio State: The Buckeyes had one of the best defensive players in the league in John Simon, who had 16 tackles for loss and seven sacks in a breakout season. Tackle Johnathan Hankins emerged as a disrupter at 335 pounds. But Ohio State didn't get its usual production elsewhere on the line, got beat up as the season went along and lacked depth, which is one reason why Urban Meyer went out and signed so many pass rushers in his first recruiting class.

7. Nebraska: The biggest disappointment from the preseason, as the Huskers tumbled from their No. 1 ranking last summer. Jared Crick's season-ending injury hurt the production, but he was not putting up huge numbers before he tore his pectoral muscle. Cameron Meredith, Baker Steinkuhler and Eric Martin had some nice moments, but Nebraska wasn't nearly as fierce up front as we thought it might be.

8. Purdue: Kawann Short turned in his best season, with 17 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks from his interior spot, while Bruce Gaston and Gerald Gooden provided solid support. But the Boilermakers' pass rush off the edge lacked explosiveness until freshman Ryan Russell started to come on late in the season. Everyone except Gooden returns, and with a new position coach Purdue hopes this unit can go from decent to great in 2012.

9. Iowa: Another disappointing crew, as the Hawkeyes proved it's not easy to replace three draft picks off the defensive line and simply reload. Mike Daniels and Broderick Binns were the senior anchors, but Iowa's pass rush was sluggish until late in the season. And there wasn't a whole lot of depth behind them. This group loses three starters and will be extremely young in 2012.

10. Northwestern: We ranked the Wildcats 10th in the preseason as well, but we still expected better things out of this group. Northwestern generated very little pressure on opposing quarterbacks and ranked last in the Big Ten in sacks. Vince Browne, a projected all-conference pick in the summer, had a subpar season with only 3.5 tackles for loss after putting up 15.5 in 2010. It's clear this group needs to get better for Northwestern to take the next step.

11. Minnesota: The Gophers weren't as terrible on the defensive front as they were in 2010, when they finished last in the nation with only nine sacks. In fact, they more than doubled that total with 19 last season. Still, it was a mostly anonymous crew that gave quarterbacks too much time to carve up the secondary in the passing game. Jerry Kill still needs to find more playmakers at this position.

12. Indiana: The Hoosiers had problems all over the defense, and the line was no exception. Adam Replogle and Larry Black gave the unit some veteran leadership in the middle, but Indiana resorted to playing a lot of kids at the defensive end spots. The results were about what you'd expect.

Earlier today, we took a look at the recruiting needs of every team in the Big Ten Leaders Division. Now it's time to turn our attention to the Legends Division and see what positions each team needs to restock before next week's signing day:

Iowa

Running backs: Iowa's problems with keeping running backs in school has been well documented, and the Hawkeyes lost leading rusher Marcus Coker and backup Mika'il McCall after off-the-field problems last season. The team really needs some more depth in the backfield, and don't be surprised if incoming freshman Greg Garmon pushes for playing time immediately.

Defensive linemen: Iowa had three defensive linemen drafted off the 2010 team and now loses its top two guys up front in departing seniors Broderick Binns and Mike Daniels. That's an awful lot of talent to replace in a couple of years, and the Hawkeyes can't expect to improve their defense without doing so. Finding some more pass rushers off the edge will be key.

Wide receivers: Marvin McNutt had a wonderful senior season, but the passing game often stalled whenever he couldn't wiggle free. Now he's gone, leaving a void at the position. Kevonte Martin-Manley and Keenan Davis have shown promise, but James Vandenberg could use some more weapons. Iowa has secured commitments from three receivers in this class.

Michigan

Wide receiver: The loss of Darryl Stonum, who was dismissed following another run in with the law, created a void at receiver, especially with top pass-catcher Junior Hemingway out of eligibility. The Wolverines will have to hope Roy Roundtree can bounce back with a big season, because all other wideout options are unproven at this point. Three receivers are committed to Brady Hoke in this class.

Defensive line: Mike Martin and Ryan Van Bergen were key cogs in Michigan's run to the Sugar Bowl title in 2011, and they have both moved on, along with starter Will Heininger. Hoke and defensive coordinator Greg Mattison are defensive line coaches at heart and will want to grab as many difference makers as they can at that key position. Ondre Pipkins, a 325-pound tackle, is the highest rated defensive lineman in the Wolverines' class right now.

Offensive line: While the Wolverines should be fine on the O-line in 2012, even without Rimington Trophy winner David Molk and starting right tackle Mark Huyge, they signed only four offensive linemen total in the past two classes. Since linemen are often slow to develop, they need to refill the cupboard now. Michigan has four offensive linemen committed in this class, including standout Kyle Kalis.

Michigan State

Offensive tackles: Thanks in large part to injuries, Michigan State had to move a defensive lineman (Dan France) to tackle last summer and plug in a junior-college transfer (Fou Fonoti) into the other tackle spot. That the Spartans won the Legends Division title despite that is kind of amazing in retrospect. France will be a junior in 2012 and Fonoti will be in his final year of eligibility. They need more depth at the position, and they've got commitments from two offensive tackles so far in this class.

Wide receivers: Two of the most successful receivers in school history are gone as Keshawn Martin and B.J. Cunningham finished off wildly productive careers. Tennessee transfer DeAnthony Arnett is seeking a waiver to play immediately and will help the future even if he has to sit out a year. Michigan State is looking to sign three other receivers in this class to fill out the future two-deep.

Running back: Edwin Baker's early entry to the NFL draft came as a surprise. Michigan State is still in good shape at tailback for 2012 with Le'Veon Bell and Larry Caper. But after not signing a running back in last year's class, Mark Dantonio could use at least one more option in the backfield.

Minnesota

Defensive backs: It was no secret that Minnesota's pass defense was brutal at times in 2011, and top tackler Kim Royston leaves a hole at safety with his graduation. Getting Troy Stoudermire back for an extra year helps, but Jerry Kill needs to upgrade the talent in the secondary. That's why he has signed three junior-college defensive backs and secured commitments from four high school safeties so far.

Defensive tackle: One of the reasons the pass defense was so bad was a lack of pass rush applied by the front four. The Gophers had only 19 sacks this season, a year after registering just nine. Making matters worse, both starting tackles were seniors this season. Kill signed a junior-college defensive tackle and has two prep tackles committed. He needs to find guys who can find their way to the quarterback.

Overall talent and depth: Kill has said there are gaps in the Gophers' classes, and depth issues could plague the team during his rebuilding efforts. Including six junior-college players signed to help right away, Minnesota has a class of 28 right now. Minnesota simply needs more bodies everywhere.

Nebraska

Linebacker: Lavonte David leaves some rather large cleats to fill. Not only was he Nebraska's leading tackler the past two seasons, he was the only linebacker who played at a consistently high level. The Huskers' starters at the other two linebacker spots will be seniors this year, and depth is thin behind them. So it's little wonder why Bo Pelini has used four spots so far in what is expected to be a small class to fill that position, led by four-star prospect Michael Rose.

Tight end: Three of the top four options at tight ends will be seniors in 2012, leaving very little behind them. Sam Cotton, son of offensive line coach Barney Cotton and younger brother of current Huskers tight end Ben, is on his way to help.

Quarterback: Taylor Martinez is entrenched as the starter going into his junior year, and Nebraska never had to worry about playing Brion Carnes in a big spot this year after Bubba Starling opted for baseball. Still, it's dangerous to not have depth at quarterback, and so the Huskers need to add at least one signal caller in this class.

Northwestern

Defensive backs: The Wildcats were burned repeatedly in the passing game in 2011, and their best defensive back (safety Brian Peters) won't be around next season. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald has commitments from three safeties in this class already.

Defensive playmakers: Northwestern was shockingly short on guys who could blow up another team's offensive play in 2011, so Fitzgerald's main mission had to be finding more guys who played like he did in college. That aim got a big boost when stud defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo committed to play in Evanston. That's a good start.

Wide receivers: Highly productive star receiver Jeremy Ebert is gone, along with starter Charles Brown. Venric Mark and Christian Jones have a lot of potential as the next big passing targets, but Northwestern's spread offense feeds off of speed and depth at the receiver position. Four receivers have given the Wildcats their pledge in this class.

If you'd told Iowa fans before the season they'd be playing their bowl game in Arizona against Oklahoma, they would have been thrilled at the thought of making the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. Instead, both teams underachieved and find themselves in Friday's Insight Bowl:

WHO TO WATCH: Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg and receiver Marvin McNutt. With starting running back Marcus Coker suspended, the Hawkeyes likely will have to rely on the passing game more than ever. That means Vandenberg and McNutt, who hooked up 78 times this season but were stymied in the season-ending loss at Nebraska. Oklahoma, even without the suspended Ronnell Lewis, can pressure the quarterback and finished the season ranked seventh nationally in sacks. The Sooners' pass defense, though, has been vulnerable at times this season, so Vandenberg will have a chance to make some plays if his offensive line protects. McNutt will wrap up a fantastic career in the desert; he needs four more catches to set the school's single-season record and seven to break the Hawkeyes' career mark.

WHAT TO WATCH: Who will run the ball for Iowa? Coker was a workhorse all season, averaging over 23 carries per game. Backup Mika'il McCall's status is still unclear, perhaps leaving rushing duties to sparingly used freshmen De'Andre Johnson, Jordan Canzeri or Damon Bullock. Coker himself emerged as a star in last season's Insight Bowl after a suspension to Adam Robinson, but a similar situation developing this year would come as more of a surprise. Also keep an eye on the Hawkeyes' defense, which often struggled this season to stop big plays and rush the passer. They will need Mike Daniels and Broderick Binns up front to create some havoc and for Micah Hyde and Shaun Prater to guard the back end to slow down Landry Jones and the Sooners' passing attack.

WHY TO WATCH: Oklahoma was ranked No. 1 in the preseason and for most of the first month of the season. Even with some key injuries and suspensions, the Sooners still have loads of talent and will give Iowa one of its toughest tests of the season. The Hawkeyes, though, have won three straight bowl games under Kirk Ferentz, including last year's Insight Bowl in an exciting game against Missouri. Their defense should be motivated to perform in the final game for retiring defensive coordinator Norm Parker. Many have pegged Iowa as the biggest underdog of bowl season, but Oklahoma's motivation has to be questioned as the team had much higher aspirations than this. The fact that Sooners coach Bob Stoops is an Iowa graduate and close friend of Ferentz adds some drama to the proceedings.

PREDICTION: Oklahoma 27, Iowa 20. The Hawkeyes hang around as Oklahoma comes out a little flat. But the loss of Coker is just too much to overcome and will force Iowa to be too one-dimensional on offense. The Sooners' defense picks off Vandenberg a couple of times and holds on for the win.

It's time to pass out season grades for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

OFFENSE: B

Iowa leaned heavily on its offense for much of the season and received tremendous production at home until the final Kinnick Stadium contest against Michigan State. The Hawkeyes' big three of running back Marcus Coker, wide receiver Marvin McNutt and quarterback James Vandenberg all were among the most productive Big Ten players at their respective positions. Iowa averaged 36.7 points at home through its first six contests. The unit's problems occurred away from Iowa City as the Hawkeyes scored just three points at Penn State and seven at Nebraska, while failing to capitalize on Coker's huge performance in a second consecutive loss to Minnesota. McNutt capped a record-setting career with an exceptional senior season, but the unit's inconsistent performances mirrored those of the team.

DEFENSE: D+

After losing three linemen to the NFL draft plus two multiyear starters at safety, Iowa's defense appeared to be very much in rebuilding mode this season. The Hawkeyes finished in the lower half of the Big Ten in points allowed, yards allowed and rush yards allowed, and last in pass defense. Linemen Broderick Binns and Mike Daniels had their moments and several defensive backs made big plays, but Iowa had nowhere near the depth and consistency it needed to make strides on defense this season. A new coordinator will step in following the Insight Bowl as Norm Parker retires, and players in all three levels of the defense will need to make strides.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C-

Iowa has had better years in the kicking game, although there were some bright spots like the punting unit, which finished second in the league in net average (38.2 yards). Kicker Mike Meyer connected on 14 of 20 field-goal attempts, and Iowa finished in the lower half of the Big Ten in kickoff coverage, kickoff returns and punt returns. Jordan Bernstine averaged 24.4 yards on kick returns.

OVERALL: C-

Iowa's inconsistent season reflected a team trying to rebuild after losing a talented core of players from the 2010 squad. Despite the personnel losses, the Hawkeyes had a favorable schedule and were pegged by many to win eight or nine games. The team's struggles away from home resulted in a second consecutive 7-5 campaign, although this season wasn't nearly as disappointing as 2010. Iowa tries to finish with its fourth consecutive bowl win as it faces Oklahoma in the Insight Bowl.

Kirk Ferentz has coached long enough not to make bold predictions on how his Iowa Hawkeyes will perform in the season's defining month.

"We'll see," Ferentz said. "We came up short last year, and '08 was the opposite, so we'll see."

If Iowa can replicate what it did in 2008, when the team won its final three games and five of its final six, the Hawkeyes could make a once-unthinkable trip to the Big Ten championship game. Iowa's path to Indy is as clear cut as it can get right now: win out and head to Naptown. Any type of stumble likely would eliminate Iowa from the Legends division race.

November began on a high note with a mini-upset win against Michigan last Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. An Iowa defense that has struggled for stretches this season held Michigan to 16 points and 323 total yards, well below the Wolverines' season averages.

The backs-to-the-wall Hawkeyes resume play Saturday against No. 17 Michigan State.

"There's been so much talk about division play, conference races, all that stuff," Ferentz said. "The one thing that hasn't changed is the more you win, the better off you are, and the more you lose, the worse off you are."

Iowa learned the second lesson the hard way in 2010. A senior-laden Hawkeyes team appeared poised for a strong stretch run after thumping Michigan State 37-6 on Oct. 30. But a November to remember became one to forget as Iowa dropped its final three games and likely was a Damarlo Belcher drop away from going o-fer November.

"We learned that nothing is given to us; we've got to go out and take it," defensive end Broderick Binns told ESPN.com. "That starts in practice. It's how you approach practice. If you come to practice with the mind-set that we're going to work and get better, everything's going to take care of itself."

Did Iowa have the same mind-set in 2010?

"I guess in some cases we didn't," Binns said. "I guess we kind of felt entitled in a couple games last year. But me, being a fifth-year senior, I'm going to do my best to get my teammates ready to go."

Binns isn't concerned about entitlement affecting the 2011 Hawkeyes, even those who were on the field for the Michigan State beat-down last October.

"That was last year's team," Binns said. "Michigan State is a totally different team, and Iowa is a totally different team from last season. Michigan State is playing really good ball right now. We know it's not going to be an easy game."

Iowa players are aware of where they stand in the Legends division race. But if last November showed them anything, it's to focus on the journey more than the destination.

"We're not even thinking about the future," Binns said. "We're just worrying about playing this next game."

It's time to highlight the best and the brightest from Week 10 in the Big Ten:

• Ohio State's offensive backfield: Quarterback Braxton Miller (14 carries, 105 yards, two touchdowns) and tailbacks Dan Herron (14 carries, 141 yards and a touchdown) and Carlos Hyde (15 carries for 105 yards and a score) were the three horsemen of the apocalypse against Indiana. It was the first time three Buckeyes players ran for 100 yards in the same game since 1989, when Scottie Graham, Carlos Snow and Dante Lee did so against Northwestern. And Ohio State needed almost all of it to hold off the Hoosiers.
• Wisconsin RB Montee Ball: Just call him "Moneyball." Ball's incredible season reached new heights against Purdue as he ran for a career-high 224 yards on just 20 carries in a little more than two quarters of work. He also scored three more touchdowns, giving him a school-record 24 on the season. Ball needs just three more this season to break the Big Ten single-season touchdown mark.
• Northwestern QB Kain Colter: After Dan Persa left the game with an apparent left shoulder injury, Colter led the way to a stunning 28-25 upset at Nebraska. Colter completed 4 of 6 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown, ran 17 times for 58 yards and two scores and caught three passes for 57 yards. Special mention also goes to the Wildcats' offensive line, which paved the way for 209 rushing yards against the newly minted Blackshirts defense
• Iowa RB Marcus Coker: The Big Ten's leading rusher had his fourth straight game of at least 124 yards. He carried 29 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns in the 24-16 win over Michigan.
• Iowa DE Broderick Binns: The senior had his biggest performance of the season at the perfect time as Iowa contained Michigan and Denard Robinson. Binns was in Robinson's face all game, recording three knockdowns, a sack and two tackles for loss..

Some bad news for Iowa's defense after the big win against Michigan, as coach Kirk Ferentz announced defensive end Dominic Alvis tore his ACL in the fourth quarter and will miss the remainder of the season.

Alvis has appeared in all nine games this season, recording 30 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He also has a forced fumble.

Alvis recorded three tackles in the 24-16 win against Michigan.

"The only thing that could have been worse is if he was a senior, but you hate for any player to deal with something that's going to require surgery and rehab and all those types of things," Ferentz said. "He's a young guy that's been working really hard and playing a lot better and improving each week, so it's a loss to our team, but our thoughts are more so with him right now."

Alvis had split time with Lebron Daniel, who will see more time in his absence opposite Broderick Binns.

Defensive end doesn't project to be the Big Ten's strongest position in 2011.

The league had four defensive ends -- Wisconsin's J.J. Watt, Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan, Iowa's Adrian Clayborn and Ohio State's Cam Heyward -- selected in the first round of April's NFL draft. That's a lot of star power lost in one night.

Despite the exodus, the Big Ten has several promising defensive ends who could become big names by the end of the season. Six of them were selected for the Ted Hendricks Award preseason watch list. The Hendricks Award recognizes the nation's top defensive end.

The Big Ten nominees are:

• Broderick Binns, Iowa, senior
• Vince Browne, Northwestern, senior
• Jacks Crawford, Penn State, senior
• Cameron Meredith, Nebraska, junior
• Ryan Van Bergen, Michigan, senior
• Nathan Williams, Ohio State, senior

Only two of these players -- Browne and Meredith -- earned first or second-team all-conference honors in 2010. That doesn't mean several players won't emerge as candidates for the Hendricks Award.

Binns and Crawford look to bounce back from disappointing seasons in 2010. Van Bergen is excited about Michigan's return to the 4-3 defense, a scheme where he thinks he can thrive. Ohio State will look to Williams as a leader for a defense that loses seven starters. Another Ohio State defensive lineman, junior John Simon, could appear on this list later as he likely will play more at defensive end.

Brian Bennett looks at Iowa’s X factor.

It's time to wrap up the defensive line rankings with a closer look at the ends.

Defensive end has been the league's strongest position the past few seasons, but there are few proven players entering 2010. The Big Ten had four defensive ends -- J.J. Watt, Ryan Kerrigan, Adrian Clayborn and Cameron Heyward -- selected in the first round of April's NFL draft.

This list could look very different by mid October, but here are the top 10 entering '11.

1. John Simon, Ohio State, junior: This selection might surprise some because Simon has spent much of his time at defensive tackle. He'll likely play both line spots for Ohio State this fall, but expect the junior to have a breakout season in 2011. Simon is among the strongest players in the league and provides explosiveness up front for the Buckeyes.

2. Vince Browne, Northwestern, senior: No Big Ten defensive end boasts more impressive numbers than Browne, who has 16 sacks and 31 tackles for loss in his career. He has seen increases in both categories in each of the past two seasons, recording seven sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 2010. Northwestern needs another big year from the second-team All-Big Ten selection.

3. Cameron Meredith, Nebraska, junior: Meredith earned second-team All-Big 12 honors from the coaches in 2010 after a solid performance in his first season as a starter. He recorded 64 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, and also had 10 quarterback hurries. Expect the junior to build on those numbers this fall.

4. Nathan Williams, Ohio State, senior: The Buckeyes return only four starters on defense, so they'll need a big senior season from Williams. He led Ohio State with 4.5 sacks in 2010 and complements the bigger Simon as a pure speed rusher on the edge. Williams is the most experienced member of Ohio State's line and must help lead the way.

5. Louis Nzegwu, Wisconsin, senior: After playing alongside All-Big Ten ends Watt and O'Brien Schofield the past two seasons, Nzegwu's time has arrived. Wisconsin will look for big things from the senior, who started every game in 2010 and played a lot as a reserve in 2009. Nzegwu recorded 46 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and a forced fumble last season. He's solid against the run but must be a bigger factor in the pass rush.

6. Broderick Binns, Iowa, senior: Binns had a disappointing 2010 season, but unlike several players on this list, he has shown he can be a difference maker in Big Ten games. As a sophomore in 2009 he recorded 10 tackles for loss, six sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a team-high nine pass breakups. If Binns returns to form in 2011, he'll contend for All-Big Ten honors.

7. Darius Johnson, Indiana, senior: If the Hoosiers plan to turn things around on defense this fall, they'll need a big season from Johnson. He showed last season that when healthy, he can cause a lot of problems in opposing backfields. Johnson recorded 65 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. He could be a very productive player for IU this fall.

8. Craig Roh, Michigan, junior: Roh and fellow end Ryan Van Bergen are among the Wolverines defenders who should benefit from the new/old 4-3 scheme. He's already bulking up for a defense that values size, hoping to reach 270 pounds by the season. Roh has shown flashes of promise and recorded 43 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles last season.

9. William Gholston, Michigan State, sophomore: Here's a projection pick, but I see Gholston having a huge sophomore season. After trying his hand at linebacker in 2010, he settles into a more natural position at end. At 6-foot-7 and 265 pounds, Gholston could be a force for a Spartans line that must generate more pressure from the edges this season.

10. Gerald Gooden, Purdue, senior: The Boilers are thin at defensive end and need big things from Gooden, who can be effective when he avoids the injury bug. Gooden has started games in each of the past three seasons, recording eight tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2009 and forcing two fumbles in 2010. Health and consistency are the big questions for Gooden, but experience is not.

Just missed the cut: Michigan's Van Bergen, Michigan State's Tyler Hoover, Illinois' Michael Buchanan, Wisconsin's David Gilbert, Penn State's Jack Crawford.

Happy Nebraska Day Eve:

• Defensive end Broderick Binns and tackle Markus Zusevics have mutual respect for each other after knocking heads so long at Iowa practice. The Hawkeyes' offensive line embraces the "nastiness" label.
• Mark Snyder catches up with a few incoming Michigan freshmen.
• An update on Michigan State recruiting.
• Minnesota landed a quarterback on the recruiting front.
• Some Nebraska recruiting notes, including a quarterback who sees an opportunity to play early for the Cornhuskers. A final look at Nebraska's biggest Big 12 moments on the eve of the school's official entry into the Big Ten.
• Five years after his death, Randy Walker's spirit lives on at Northwestern.
• Luke Fickell is living up to his new elevated status at Ohio State. Jim Heacock should maintain control over the Buckeyes' defense, and other burning Ohio State questions.
• Penn State picked up an offensive lineman from Colorado.
• Purdue got a verbal commitment from an Ohio quarterback. Athletic director Morgan Burke has high hopes for the Boilermakers football program.
• Adding Russell Wilson changes many perceptions for Wisconsin.

The position rankings move from offense to defense. We'll start with the group that has produced more Big Ten stars than any other position group in recent years.

The Big Ten had five defensive linemen, all from different teams, selected in the first round of April's NFL draft: Wisconsin's J.J. Watt, Illinois' Corey Liuget, Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan, Iowa's Adrian Clayborn and Ohio State's Cameron Heyward. Iowa lost three starting D-linemen to the draft, and almost every Big Ten squad has to replace major contributors.

The personnel losses make the preseason D-line rankings both tricky and fun. The first three groups look very good, while there's not much difference in the middle of the league.

Let's take a look:

1. Nebraska: The Big Ten's newest member should fit in well with its strong play up front. Star defensive tackle Jared Crick stiff-armed the NFL draft and returned for his final season, giving Nebraska a terrific centerpiece up front. He'll be complemented by veterans Baker Steinkuhler and the mustachioed Cameron Meredith. If converted linebacker Eric Martin builds off of a strong spring, Nebraska should be fine at the end spot.

2. Ohio State: Heyward's leadership and versatility will be missed, but Ohio State always finds ways to fill the gaps up front. Junior John Simon should be primed for a breakout season. Like Heyward, Simon can play both line spots but might see more time on the edge this fall. Nathan Williams adds experience at end, and promising sophomore Johnathan Hankins could wreak havoc on the interior this fall.

3. Michigan State: Like several Big Ten teams, the Spartans build their line around a potential superstar tackle in Jerel Worthy. The junior already is projected as a potential first-round pick in the 2012 draft after recording four sacks last fall. Anthony Rashad White emerged this spring as a nice complement to Worthy. Michigan State needs a better pass rush from the end spots, and hopes are high for William Gholston and Tyler Hoover.

4. Wisconsin: Watt is a huge loss because he contributed in so many ways, but Wisconsin could account for his production with greater depth. Ends Louis Nzegwu and David Gilbert both have played a lot of football, and junior Brendan Kelly came on strong toward the end of spring practice. Senior tackle Patrick Butrym has emerged as one of the leaders on defense. Wisconsin needs young tackles like Jordan Kohout and Beau Allen to help Butrym.

5. Michigan: This is a projection pick, but I think Michigan's defensive front takes a significant step forward this season. Senior tackle Mike Martin is a bona fide NFL prospect and will lead the way, and players like Ryan Van Bergen and Craig Roh should be among the primary beneficiaries of the new defense under coordinator Greg Mattison. Michigan needs to build depth with Jibreel Black, Will Campbell and others, but there's great potential here.

6. Iowa: The Hawkeyes face a tough task in replacing multiyear starters in Clayborn, Christian Ballard and Karl Klug. Senior tackle Mike Daniels is ready to lead the group after recording 11 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2010. The biggest key is getting Broderick Binns back to his 2009 form. Iowa also needs to build depth with Lebron Daniel and others, and avoid major injuries.

7. Purdue: Defensive tackle is a major strength for Purdue as Kawann Short and Bruce Gaston Jr. form one of the league's top tandems. Short quietly turned in an extremely productive season last fall (12.5 TFLs, 6 sacks). The big unknown is how Purdue replaces Kerrigan. The Boilers need veteran Gerald Gooden to stay healthy and others to emerge alongside him.

8. Penn State: Much like Purdue, Penn State looks strong at tackle and has question marks at end. Devon Still could contend for All-Big Ten honors after a terrific performance in the Outback Bowl against Florida. Still and Jordan Hill should lock up the middle, but Penn State needs Jack Crawford and Eric Latimore to get healthy at the end spots. If not, the Lions will turn to unproven players to spark their pass rush.

9. Illinois: Liuget is a significant loss in the middle and Illinois also must replace veteran end Clay Nurse. The Illini will rely on Akeem Spence to step in for Liuget, and Spence showed some good things this spring. There's talent on the edges with Michael Buchanan, Whitney Mercilus and others, but Illinois needs more consistent production.

10. Northwestern: This group took a step back last fall and got manhandled down the stretch as Northwestern hemorrhaged yards and points. Senior end Vince Browne is a playmaker who put up impressive numbers (15.5 TFLs, 7 sacks) in 2010. He'll need help from tackles Jack DiNardo and Niko Mafuli, and Tyler Scott could provide a lift at the other end spot. The Wildcats need their line to regain the edge it displayed in 2008.

11. Indiana: It wouldn't surprise me to see Indiana's front four rise up these rankings during the season. There are some nice pieces back, namely senior end Darius Johnson, who can be a force when healthy. Junior Adam Replogle has been productive at defensive tackle. There's plenty of competition at the other two spots as Indiana tries to turn a page on defense.

12. Minnesota: The Gophers' pass rush was practically invisible in 2010, as they finished last nationally in sacks (9). The good news is new defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys will turn his linemen loose more often, giving players like Brandon Kirksey chances to make plays. We've heard a lot about Minnesota's talent up front but haven't seen nearly enough production on Saturdays.

Linking while I continue to fume about "The Killing" finale ...

• Iowa picked up a defensive end from Nebraska who plays eight-man football. More talk and some video on Iowa recruiting. Broderick Binns says the Hawkeyes will be prepared to finish games this year. Marvin McNutt declared himself healthy.

• Some top prospects are camping at Michigan this week.

• Nebraska has gone 100 percent Cotton. Athlon looks at the Cornhuskers' move to the Big Ten.

• Ohio State should be helped by Tuesday's report by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles clearing the Buckeyes of wrongdoing.

• Joe Paterno and Coach K taped their ESPN event, and JoePa said he wants freshmen to be ineligible. The Nittany Lions are starting to increase the pressure on interested offensive line recruits with roster spots dwindling. The Wall Street Journal includes Penn State and Northwestern on its list of the "last NCAA innocents."

• Purdue's Kyle Adams and Keith Smith are in NFL limbo. The Boilermakers landed an athlete from Florida. Athletic director Morgan Burke says Danny Hope's job is safe.

• Wisconsin is off to a fast start in 2012 recruiting. A Russell Wilson decision is expected before July 1.

• Indiana picked up its fourth commitment in the last 10 days with an offensive lineman.

Craig James and Eric Dickerson formed one of the most potent 1-2 tandems in college football history while playing for SMU in what was dubbed the "Pony Express."

Now the two former stars have teamed up to start a new award for the top two- and three-player combinations in the nation. It's called, naturally, the Pony Express Award. (And if college football needs anything, surely it's yet another postseason award, right?)

The unusual part of the award is that it can go to any duo or trio of players on offense or defense, leaving open a wide array of possibilities. There's already a preseason watch list, and here are the Big Ten doubles and triplets who were nominated:

• OT Mike Adams, OT JB Shugarts, C Mike Brewster, Ohio State

• LB Lavonte David, CB Alfonzo Dennard, Nebraska

• QB Kirk Cousins, RB Edwin Baker, WR Keshawn Martin, Michigan State

• RB Montee Ball, RB James White, Wisconsin

• DE Broderick Binns, DT Mike Daniels, Iowa

• QB Terrelle Pryor, RB Dan Herron, WR DeVier Posey, Ohio State

James and Dickerson probably wish they could have that last one back, as the Buckeyes group might wind up a little too uncomfortably parallel to SMU's fall from grace. Anyway, it's a pretty decent list, but there are a few others we could add to the list, like:

• QB Denard Robinson and WR Roy Roundtree, Michigan

• QB Dan Persa and WR Jeremy Ebert, Northwestern

• Penn State's linebackers

• RB Rex Burkhead and QB Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

• RB Ralph Bolden and QB Rob Henry/Robert Marve, Purdue

• Fine Line Ink, Ted Sarniak and Dennis Talbott, Ohio State (I kid, I kid).

And if Russell Wilson ends up at Wisconsin, that's a pretty impressive trio with Ball and White. What other group of teammates do you think deserves to be on the list?