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The wait is finally over for Big Ten players not selected in April's NFL draft.

Free agent deals are finally taking place during a whirlwind week in the post-lockout NFL.

We'll have additional updates as the day goes on, but here's a look at where Big Ten players are landing.

ILLINOIS

• CB Travon Bellamy, St. Louis Rams
• WR Jarred Fayson: New Orleans Saints
• G Randall Hunt: St. Louis Rams
• DE Clay Nurse: New England Patriots

INDIANA

• QB Ben Chappell: Washington Redskins
• WR Terrance Turner: Philadelphia Eagles

IOWA

• P Ryan Donahue: Detroit Lions
• LB Jeremiah Hunter: New Orleans Saints
• TE Allen Reisner: Minnesota Vikings
• LB Jeff Tarpinian: New England Patriots

MICHIGAN

• T Perry Dorrestein: New York Jets
• CB James Rogers: Denver Broncos
• TE Martell Webb: Philadelphia Eagles

MICHIGAN STATE

• WR Mark Dell: Denver Broncos
• LB Eric Gordon: Jacksonville Jaguars
• T D.J. Young: Arizona Cardinals

MINNESOTA

• T Dom Alford: Cleveland Browns
• FB Jon Hoese: Green Bay Packers
• QB Adam Weber: Denver Broncos

NEBRASKA

• K Adi Kunalic: Carolina Panthers
• TE Mike McNeill: Indianapolis Colts
• DE Pierre Allen: Seattle Seahawks
• G Ricky Henry: Chicago Bears
• T D.J. Jones: Miami Dolphins
• S Rickey Thenarse: Seattle Seahawks

NORTHWESTERN

• DT Corbin Bryant: Chicago Bears
• LB Quentin Davie: Detroit Lions

OHIO STATE

• G Bryant Browning: St. Louis Rams
• G Justin Boren: Baltimore Ravens
• RB Brandon Saine: Green Bay Packers
• WR Dane Sanzenbacher: Chicago Bears
• DT Dexter Larimore: New Orleans Saints
• CB Devon Torrence: Minnesota Vikings

PENN STATE

• WR Brett Brackett: Miami Dolphins
• LB Chris Colasanti: Indianapolis Colts
• LB Bani Gbadyu: Oakland Raiders
• DT Ollie Ogbu: Indianapolis Colts

PURDUE

• TE Kyle Adams: Chicago Bears
• WR Keith Smith: Detroit Lions

WISCONSIN

• CB Niles Brinkley: Pittsburgh Steelers
• RB John Clay: Pittsburgh Steelers
• QB Scott Tolzien: San Diego Chargers

Da'Jon McKnight is a fast learner.

The Minnesota receiver didn't play football in his sophomore or junior years of high school as he focused on basketball instead. Despite that lack of experience, he blossomed into one of the Big Ten's best wideouts last year as a junior. McKnight caught 46 balls for 75o yards, and only Ohio State's Dane Sanzenbacher had more than his 10 touchdown grabs.

Imagine what McKnight can do now that he's really starting to understand the game.

"I feel like I've learned a whole lot," he said. "I know about routes and what the defense is trying to do, whether it's a Cover 2 or a Trap 2. I've learned little techniques to help my game.

"I feel like I can double my catches this year. But it's all about the team winning and being more consistent."

McKnight has always had good size at 6-foot-3. He says his body is more sculpted now at a solid 210 pounds, after playing at about 208 last year. He's paying more attention to his nutrition; instead of his regular stops at McDonald's for a breakfast burrito, he's turning to bagels, apples and protein bars to start his morning.

Interestingly enough, the Gophers' second-leading receiver last year was MarQueis Gray, who is now the team's quarterback. While Gray may still need to learn the finer points of quarterback play, he and McKnight have great chemistry after playing the same position together last year. And there should be no misunderstandings between the quarterbacks and receivers.

"He knows how it is to play receiver," McKnight said. "He knows sometimes we have jammed fingers. He knows when to throw it hard and when to put some touch on it. I think playing receiver will really help him out."

Former quarterback Adam Weber always knew to look McKnight's way in the red zone last year. McKnight is hoping he and Gray form that same connection.

"I told him, from the 20-yard line on in, the jump ball is always an option," he said. "If you ever get in trouble, you can't go wrong throwing the jump ball to me."

We'll see whether defenses can learn how to stop that.

Hope you're enjoying Big Ten spring wrap-up day on the blog.

Don't forget: Big Ten chat today at 2 p.m. ET. See you there.

• Nebraska's arrival and divisional play makes the Big Ten up for grabs in 2011, Tom Mulhern writes in the Wisconsin State Journal. The Big Ten Network analysts pick the division winners.
• Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher sees a symmetry to his draft snub, Ken Gordon writes in The Columbus Dispatch. Take a look at the signed compliance form that could doom Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel.
• Michigan State DT Jerel Worthy is soaring up the 2012 draft boards, Joe Rexrode writes in the Lansing State Journal. A spring snapshot of Michigan State from The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette's Scott Dochterman. The Spartans' Tony Lippett is among colleague Bruce Feldman's spring standouts (Insider).
• Beating Notre Dame and Ohio State is personal for Michigan recruit Joe Bolden, Kyle Warber writes.
• The pistol formation could play a key role in Nebraska's offensive structure this fall, Sam McKewon writes in the Omaha World-Herald. A look at Nebraska's first 2011 opponent: Tennessee-Chattanooga.
• Penn State QBs coach Jay Paterno has an idea of who will start, but he isn't telling, Jerry DiPaola writes in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Lions players weigh in on the death of Osama bin Laden, Jeff Rice writes in the Centre Daily Times.
• More on Wisconsin's recent commitment from quarterback Bart Houston, Jeff Potrykus writes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Check out Illinois DT Corey Liuget's draft journey to San Diego.
• Iowa's undrafted players continue the waiting game, Andy Hamilton writes in the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos' former roommate reaches a plea deal.
• A cool video about Minnesota walk-on defensive back Chase Haviland.

Just a reminder: Big Ten chat Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET. Be there.

And contact me here as I'll have another one of these Friday.

Scott from Phoenix writes: Adam, why is this whole AAU thing such a big deal? Is it just because of Perlman's comments about it being a reason that NU was invited to join the Big10? Seems this has little affect on the University or football program, but gives meaningless fodder for the blog trolls.

Adam Rittenberg: The AAU means a lot to the Big Ten, especially the university presidents around the league. You can make a case that if Nebraska wasn't in the AAU last year, it might not have received an invitation to join the conference. Seriously. While the presidents recognize the value the Huskers football program brings, they also place a premium on academic accolades like AAU membership. That said, Nebraska's July 1 entrance into the Big Ten won't be impacted by the AAU ouster, but it certainly is notable if you followed the Big Ten's expansion push last year.

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Rog from Waupaca, Wis., writes: I have noticed a correlation between the quality of Basketball and Football teams (OSU, MSU, and WISC) in at least the Big Ten. Do the quality programs help each other or is it coincidence? Also where do you see Nebraska fitting in for Basketball? Much has been to do about the football program, but not much attention has been spent on Basketball and the other sports. Also how will the expansion of hockey in the Big Ten affect the landscape of college sports?

Adam Rittenberg: Rog, while successful revenue sports bring in money and, in turn, help other programs at a given school, these teams mainly function independently of one another. The coaches want each other to succeed, and there are ways they can help each other (example: Michigan State bringing football recruits to the electric Breslin Center for a big-time national hoops game). But there are too many examples of schools that excel in one major sport but struggle in another (looking at you, Duke). Nebraska basketball seems to be on the upswing under Doc Sadler, but the Huskers weren't brought into the Big Ten because of hoops. I love the idea of a Big Ten hockey league, which should increase the league's overall exposure and attractiveness.

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John from Newark, Ohio, writes: Adam, Thank you for declaring your disbelief that Dane Sanzenbacher was not drafted. Seems to me that the best reciever at OSU has taken second seat to a less productive, but higher profile wide out the last few generations. Every game the media highlights the wide out and then the slot guy goes out and performs like a machine. I can't believe any GM could watch the OSU-WI game last year and not believe in Dane. His body of work is outstanding. Why does the media focus on the guy catching one or two bombs every few games and ignore the uber dependable workhorse? It can be argued that Sanzenbacher is as good or better than Hartline (who was the best OSU reciever in his class) and has the highest ethic of teamwork. At least Hartline got a chance to prove himself. Is this a problem with OSU's offensive scheme or simply media bias?

Adam Rittenberg: John, I agree with most of your points here and echo your sentiment that Sanzenbacher should have been drafted. The media bias argument doesn't hold water with me because NFL teams devote too much money and time to evaluating these players to be swayed by what we in the media have to say. They make their own assessments. Sanzenbacher wasn't drafted primarily because of his size, which isn't ideal, and possibly because of his concussion history. But I'm with you. Watch the games and tell me why that guy can't succeed in the NFL. He's a stud.

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Jason from Chicago writes: Adam love the blog. Since we all know about Ricky Stanzi's patriotism, can we get his take on the killing of Osama bin Laden? Thanks!

dam Rittenberg: Haha, I'll see what I can do, Jason. I'm more interested to see if the hippies in Kansas City -- apparently there are a bunch nearby in Lawrence, Kan. -- are bracing for Stanzi's arrival.

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Ben from London writes: Adam, I'm not sure when you last did a Big Ten recruiting update, but have you noticed how well Michigan is doing on the recruiting trail lately? How impressed with Brady Hoke are you since he took over? It seems like he's doing everything right.

Adam Rittenberg: Ben, I'll likely write more on this later in the week, but Michigan's start to the 2012 class has been impressive. Hoke and his staff have focused on linebackers who they believe will fit what Greg Mattison wants to do with the defense. The approach makes sense after the recent struggles on that side of the ball. The question going forward is whether Hoke can elevate Michigan's overall recruiting and compete for some of the national recruits the Wolverines used to pursue.

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Chris from Ann Arbor, Mich., writes: Hey Adam, I'm a Wolverine fan and I love the blog. Being that Tressel knowingly violated NCAA rules and it led to victories, shouldn't their punishment be something more likely to cost them future wins? Suspensions of Tressel that only keep him off of the sideline or the forfeiting of former wins don't seem to be a very serious punishment, do they? After all, it's not as if the NCAA is going back in time and not letting the Ohio play in the Sugar Bowl. We all know they won that game, whether or not the NCAA denies it happening. In my opinion Ohio should be hit with serious recruiting violations and potentially a couple year bowl ban. Something like that would put a recruiting handicap on Ohio equivalent to the recruiting advantage they have been enjoying for a while now. Even firing Tressel is something no real Michigan fan should want, not until we've broken the streak, at least. What are your thoughts on the possibility of a punishment that actually fits the crime?

Adam Rittenberg: You sure Michigan fans don't want Jim Tressel gone? He sure has caused a lot of heartache in Ann Arbor. ... I agree that vacating wins is more of a symbolic penalty than one that actually damages a program. If the NCAA wants to hit Tressel/Ohio State, it should restrict the coach's involvement from all activities, particularly recruiting. Like you said, not having him on the sidelines for games, while damaging, isn't nearly as bad as prohibiting him from the game-planning process. Penalties that relate to recruiting, scholarship losses and future bowls certainly seem to be the most harmful to a program.

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Justin from Broehm, Iowa, writes: I think you overlooked a sack master, Adam. Check Broderick Binns 2009 stats. Last year he was rotated out of the starting lineup - whether because he just got beat out or because an offseason dui put him in ferentz' doghouse - and he should come in hungry to prove this year. He should at least get a mention.

Adam Rittenberg: Didn't overlook Binns, Justin. "Rotated out of the starting lineup" is a nice way to say Binns had a disappointing season in 2010. He'll need to prove himself again this fall before I include him among the league's top defensive linemen. Not saying he can't do it, because he showed a lot of good things in 2009 and seems hungry for a big season, but last fall was a setback. I need to see more.

Kids, don't drink tequila.

• Tom Osborne expects Nebraska-Iowa to turn into a full-fledged rivalry, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette.
• Wisconsin adds a big recruit to its 2012 class in QB Bart Houston. Badgers backfield mates John Clay and Scott Tolzien find themselves in the same post-draft quandary, Jeff Potrykus writes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Michigan is stockpiling linebacker recruits for Greg Mattison's defense, Josh Helmholdt writes in the Detroit Free Press.
• Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald is named the inaugural 1WORLD Sports Coach of the Year, Teddy Greenstein writes in the Chicago Tribune.
• The waiting game continues for snubbed Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher, Matt Markey writes in The Toledo Blade.
• Speaking of draft snubs, several Big Ten players appear on Yahoo! Sports' Matt Hinton's list.
• Michigan State's 2012 recruiting recently has heated up, Denny Schwarze writes in the Lansing State Journal. Some Michigan State students had Mark Dantonio serve them lunch Monday.
• Some Big Ten recruiting flavor for you at the Under Armour Combine in Baltimore, colleague Craig Haubert writes.
• A comprehensive look at why the AAU dumped Nebraska, Jeffrey J. Selingo and Jack Stripling write in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
• PennLive.com debates Kevin Newsome's future at Penn State.
• Purdue coach Danny Hope will head to the Lone Star State later this month.

The 2011 NFL draft is in the books, and it's time to take a look back at how the Big Ten fared in the selections. In case you missed it, check out my breakdown of the six Big Ten players who heard their names called in the first round.

All in all, 29 Big Ten players were drafted this year. New Big Ten member Nebraska had seven selections.

Let's start off with a rundown of the picks. I'll have some quick thoughts after each round.

First round

• Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt, Houston, No. 11 overall
• Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan, Washington, No. 16 overall
• Illinois DT Corey Liuget, San Diego, No. 18 overall
• Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn, Tampa Bay, No. 20 overall
• Wisconsin LT Gabe Carimi, Chicago, No. 29 overall
• Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward, Pittsburgh, No. 31

Quick thoughts: The Big Ten had its largest first-round output since 2007, and several players look like good fits for their teams. Chicago had to be thrilled Carimi was still available, and San Diego felt the same about Liuget, projected by many as a top-15 pick. Kerrigan likely needs to contribute immediately for the Redskins, while Clayborn and Heyward enter situations where they can ease into the transition.

Second round

• Wisconsin TE Lance Kendricks, St. Louis, No. 47 overall
• Penn State G Stefen Wisniewski, Oakland, No. 48 overall
• Illinois RB Mikel Leshoure, Detroit, No. 57 overall
• Michigan LB Jonas Mouton, San Diego, No. 61 overall

Quick thoughts: Mouton's selection was a surprise for many folks, but it's a testament to a good player who impressed the scouts despite playing for a lousy defense in 2010. Wisniewski enters a good fit in Oakland, where his uncle, Steve, is an assistant offensive line coach. I really like Leshoure in Detroit, where he'll enter a competitive situation at running back.

Third round

• Illinois LB Martez Wilson, New Orleans, No. 72 overall
• Wisconsin G John Moffitt, Seattle, No. 75 overall

Quick thoughts: Wilson, who entered the draft after his junior season, might have been a bit disappointed to fall to the third round. But he enters a good situation in New Orleans and should have some time to develop.

Fourth round

• Iowa DL Christian Ballard, Minnesota, No. 106 overall
• Ohio State CB Chimdi Chekwa, Oakland, No. 113 overall
• Indiana LT James Brewer, New York Giants, No. 117 overall
• Indiana WR Tandon Doss, Baltimore, No. 123 overall

Quick thoughts: Ballard reportedly tested positive for marijuana use and likely paid a price as he dropped down at least a round. Still, the Iowa standout should help the Vikings early in his career. I really like the Doss fit in Baltimore, which can use more playmakers at receiver. It'll be interesting to see how quickly Chekwa sees the field in Oakland.

Fifth round

• Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi, Kansas City, No. 135 overall
• Iowa DE Karl Klug, Tennessee, No. 142 overall
• Ohio State S Jermale Hines, St. Louis, No. 158 overall
• Iowa G Julian Vandervelde, Philadelphia, No. 161 overall

Quick thoughts: What a round for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Although Stanzi waited a little longer than expected, he joins a team in Kansas City that has a lot of connections to the New England Patriots, the squad many thought would draft the Iowa quarterback. Klug is a solid player who can play either line position. I'll be interested to see how he fares with the Titans.

Sixth round

• Penn State RB Evan Royster, Washington, No. 177 overall
• Michigan State LB Greg Jones, New York Giants, No. 185 overall
• Michigan State CB Chris L. Rucker, Indianapolis, No. 188 overall
• Ohio State LB Brian Rolle, Philadelphia, No. 193 overall
• Iowa S Tyler Sash, New York Giants, No. 198 overall
• Ohio State LB Ross Homan, Minnesota, No. 200 overall
• Michigan G Stephen Schilling, San Diego, No. 201 overall

Quick thoughts: This marked the Big Ten's biggest round as seven players heard their names called. Jones, the former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, went a little later than expected, and Sash also dropped down a bit after entering the draft after his junior season. Homan, who missed some time last season with a foot injury, could end up being an excellent addition for the Vikings. Really like that pick.

Seventh round

• Illinois LB Nate Bussey, New Orleans, No. 243 overall
• Wisconsin G/C Bill Nagy, Dallas, No. 252 overall

Quick thoughts: While I was surprised several other Big Ten players didn't get drafted, both Bussey and Nagy are deserving. Both players played integral roles in their teams' success last fall, and both were overshadowed by other draftees (Liuget and Wilson for Bussey, Carimi and Moffitt for Nagy).

NEBRASKA'S DRAFTEES

Husker fans, I didn't forget you or your team. Nebraska actually had more draft picks (7) than any Big Ten team, and here they are.

• CB Prince Amukamara, New York Giants, No. 19 overall (first round)
• RB Roy Helu Jr., Washington, No. 104 overall (fourth round)
• K Alex Henery, Philadelphia, No. 120 overall (fourth round)
• DB Dejon Gomes, Washington, No. 146 overall (fifth round)
• WR Niles Paul, Washington, No. 155 overall (fifth round)
• OT Keith Williams, Pittsburgh, No. 196 overall (sixth round)
• DB Eric Hagg, Cleveland, No. 248 overall (seventh round)

Quick thoughts: Think there might be a few "Husker Power!" chants at Redskins games this season? The Mike Shanahan-Bo Pelini connection likely played a role in the three Nebraska players heading to the nation's capital. Henery soon will succeed David Akers in Philadelphia, and the Giants had to thrilled that Amukamara still was on the board at No. 19.

Big Ten picks by team

• Nebraska: 7 (players competed in the Big 12)
• Iowa: 6
• Ohio State: 5
• Wisconsin: 5 (four picks in first three rounds)
• Illinois: 4
• Michigan State: 2
• Indiana: 2
• Michigan: 2
• Penn State: 2
• Purdue: 1
• Northwestern: 0
• Minnesota: 0

By position (excluding Nebraska)

• DL: 7
• OL: 7
• LB: 6
• DB: 4
• RB: 2
• WR: 1
• TE: 1
• QB: 1

Nebraska had three defensive backs, a running back, an offensive lineman, a wide receiver and a kicker drafted.

Draft snubs

Quite a few Big Ten players didn't hear their names called during the weekend, and they'll enter the shaky world of free agency. I was absolutely stunned no one drafted Ohio State's Dane Sanzenbacher. He was the Big Ten's top receiver last fall and brings a combination of football IQ and toughness that should appeal to football people not overly obsessed with measurables.

Wisconsin running back John Clay was the Big Ten's only non-senior who entered the draft but didn't get selected. Clay struggles with weight and his ankle problems might have contributed to him slipping through the draft.

Other Big Ten draft snubs include: Wisconsin quarterback Scott Tolzien, Ohio State guard Justin Boren, Iowa tight end Allen Reisner and Purdue receiver Keith Smith. Nebraska's Pierre Allen and Ricky Henry also will go the free-agent route.

It's draft night! Should be a big one for the Big Ten.

• Urban Meyer says the Big Ten and SEC aren't too far part, Sam McKewon writes in the Omaha World-Herald. The Big Ten might be lacking in top 10 draft picks, but NFL teams still look to the league for smash-mouth players, annarbor.com's Pete Bigelow writes.
• Kristi Dosh has an interesting look at student fees and student ticket prices in the Big Ten.
• Ricky Stanzi is poised to end Iowa's long draft drought with quarterbacks, Andy Hamilton writes in the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Which Hawkeye will follow Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard in this year's draft?
• Rivals.com's Tom Dienhart writes about Michigan State offensive lineman Arthur Ray's courageous comeback from cancer. Cornerback Johnny Adams and cornerback/receiver Tony Lippett highlight Michigan State's spring game draft, George Sipple writes in the Detroit Free Press.
• Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher plays the draft waiting game, Matt Markey writes in The Toledo Blade. Ohio State shares a kinship with future league rival Nebraska, Rob Oller writes in The Columbus Dispatch. Jim Tressel needs to go, Dienhart writes.
• A post-spring snapshot of Northwestern from The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette's Marc Morehouse.
• Former Nebraska star Barrett Ruud says Bo knows, Steven M. Sipple writes in the Lincoln Journal Star. The Huskers' 2007 recruiting class might have a bigger draft impact than the heralded 2005 crop, Rich Kaipust writes in the Omaha World-Herald.
• Illinois linebacker Martez Wilson tells colleague Scott Powers he's "confident" about a first-round draft selection. The Zooker will show off his arm at Wrigley Field next month.
• The Brady Hoke love continues, this time from Charles Woodson, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News. Lloyd Carr nearly joined Michigan State's staff twice, Joe Rexrode writes in the Lansing State Journal.
• A look at all of Wisconsin's NFL draft prospects, Jim Polzin writes in The Capital Times. Former Badger Eric Vanden Heuvel takes the long road to the NFL, Mike Lucas writes.
• Indiana assistant Rod Smith says his quarterbacks want to win, Pete DiPrimio writes in The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel.
• The wait should end tonight for Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.
• Penn State players gear up for the NFL draft, Jake Kaplan writes in The Daily Collegian.

During my Big Ten chat Wednesday, Dan from B1G Country asked about any NFL draft bargains from the conference this year.

With the draft set to begin Thursday night, I thought this would be a good time to look at some Big Ten players who might benefit teams in the middle or later rounds, or even as free-agent pickups.

Here's one potential bargain from each Big Ten squad (heights and weights according to ESPN's Scouts Inc.).

ILLINOIS
Randall Hunt, G, 6-6, 318
The skinny: Hunt anchored a formidable Illinois offensive line that helped Mikel Leshoure and others run wild in 2010. He shut down Baylor's Phil Taylor in the Texas Bowl and brings a sturdy frame to the interior line. Hunt wouldn't be a bad choice in the later rounds.

INDIANA
James Brewer, T, 6-6, 323
The skinny: I'm hesitant to call Brewer a bargain because he could be off the board early in the draft. Indiana had another tackle, Rodger Saffold, taken with the first pick of the second round in 2010. Brewer has the size to be good at the next level, and if he's still available on the third day, he'd be a nice pick.

IOWA
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, WR, 5-11, 202
The skinny: The character questions are there, but DJK was an extremely productive player at Iowa and could be a nice late-round addition for a team. He's a strong route runner with good speed and good hands, and he can stretch defenses. If a team is willing to take a bit of a risk, it could be rewarded.

MICHIGAN
Stephen Schilling, G, 6-4, 308
The skinny: Schilling played a ton of football at Michigan and helped the Wolverines to a record-setting offensive performance in 2010. His measurables might not blow teams away, but he's a smart, solid lineman who could be a nice addition in the middle to later rounds.

MICHIGAN STATE
Eric Gordon, LB/S, 5-11, 224
The skinny: Overshadowed by fellow linebacker Greg Jones for much of his career, Gordon quietly produced at an extremely high rate for Michigan State. You could argue he was the Spartans' best linebacker during the second half of the 2010 season. Gordon turned in an impressive performance on pro day and would be a nice pickup late in the draft or as a free agent.

MINNESOTA
Adam Weber, QB, 6-3, 221
The skinny: Some Gophers fans might scoff at this, but I always felt Weber got a raw deal during his college career. He played for three different offensive coordinators, never complained about it and still set a bunch of team records. While his junior season was a disappointment, Weber did some good things last fall and drew respect around the Big Ten. Not a bad pick in the later rounds.

NEBRASKA
Eric Hagg, S, 6-1, 209
The skinny: Hagg is a playmaker, as he showed with a team-high five interceptions plus a school-record 95-yard punt return for a touchdown against Texas. He also brings versatility to the table, having played a safety-linebacker hybrid role last fall for the Blackshirts. Hagg has played on an elite college defense and would be a good get in the middle to late rounds.

NORTHWESTERN
Quentin Davie, LB, 6-4, 238
The skinny: Davie entered the 2010 season as a solid NFL prospect and started off strong but disappeared at times down the stretch. He made big plays throughout his career and boasts good size as an outside linebacker. Davie could help a team as a late-round or free-agent addition if he gets back to his 2009 form.

OHIO STATE
Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, 5-11, 182
The skinny: If I were an NFL general manager, I wouldn't hesitate to draft Sanzenbacher. He lacks ideal measurables but makes up for it with football intelligence and a fearless approach to the game. Sanzenbacher has great hands and became Ohio State's top threat in the red zone this season. He stood out at the Senior Bowl and would be an excellent pick in the middle rounds.

PENN STATE
Evan Royster, RB, 5-11, 212
The skinny: Royster is a patient runner with good vision who could thrive in the right situation at the pro level. His slow start to the 2010 season is a concern, but he picked things up down the stretch and boasts a productive college résumé. If a team needs a running back in the late rounds, Royster would be a nice choice.

PURDUE
Keith Smith, WR, 6-2, 224
The skinny: There's risk here as Smith comes off of tears in two knee ligaments, but a team could get a major steal if the Boilers receiver can stay healthy. He has the size to excel at the pro level and might have been the Big Ten's top receiver had he stayed on the field last season. Smith is a class act who has a chance to be a solid NFL receiver.

WISCONSIN
Scott Tolzien, QB, 6-2, 209
The skinny: He might never be a full-time starter in the NFL, but teams certainly can benefit from having Tolzien on the roster. He's an extremely smart player who makes up for mediocre measurables with superb intangibles. Tolzien is accurate and efficient, and he'll prepare harder than anyone. If a team needs a quarterback in the later rounds, Tolzien would be a great pick.

Four Big Ten teams held spring games Saturday, and I'll take a quick look at each one throughout the afternoon.

Let's get things started with Ohio State, which held its game at Ohio Stadium. Although the defense controlled the action for much of the day, the offense prevailed 59-27 thanks to a complex scoring system.

Here's a snapshot of the game.

Game coverage: Here and here and here and here.

Quotable: "In this scrimmage situation so much has to do with what the other 10 are doing. Braxton [Miller] probably played more relaxed and had a little more fun than he has had. Joe [Bauserman] and Kenny [Guiton] showed that they have been around and can manage our offense. And, we have to learn as young quarterbacks, that you can’t get sacked in the red zone. We've been giving those four equal reps. When we figure it out we are going to play whoever we need to." -- Ohio State coach Jim Tressel on the quarterbacks

Highlights

• The Braxton Miller hype machine revved up as the freshman quarterback led three scoring drives in four possessions and finished 7-for-12 passing for 73 yards and a touchdown. Although Miller and the other quarterbacks faced an injury-depleted secondary, the freshman certainly helped himself Saturday, showcasing his mobility in addition to his arm. While the other three quarterbacks -- Bauserman, Guiton and Taylor Graham -- also threw touchdown passes, Miller generated the most buzz. "People want excitement," Bauserman said. "A guy they've never seen before gets them thinking about it."
• Next to quarterback, receiver was the most intriguing position to watch as Ohio State must replace team MVP Dane Sanzenbacher as well as DeVier Posey for the first five games. T.Y. Williams provided the biggest highlight of the day as he hauled in a 68-yard touchdown reception from Graham. Williams finished with three catches for 83 yards, although he and several other young receivers had some drops. Redshirt freshman Verlon Reed had a 17-yard touchdown catch and should be in the mix for playing time this fall.
• Defensive standouts included linebackers Etienne Sabino (6 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, 1 pass breakup) and Andrew Sweat (10 tackles, .5 tackle for loss) and defensive linemen John Simon (1 tackle for loss) and Joel Hale (1.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack).
• Running back Dan Herron had a strong performance (37 rush yards, 6 carries), but most folks were watching the other backs who will replace Herron during his suspension. Bruiser Rod Smith averaged 5.1 yards on seven carries, while Jordan Hall had 37 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. It's surprising that Jaamal Berry only received two carries for 16 yards.

Reminder: I'm still looking for your Top 25 player lists from 2010 as well as a short rationale (150 words or less). Send them here.

Dave from Allentown, Pa., writes: If the Big Ten goes with a nine game schedule, I am ok with the division membership and mandatory cross over game. At a minimum, we would be playing the schools in the other division 6 out of 10 times (pre 2011 ? it was 75% of the time).If the Big Ten uses an 8 game schedule and a mandatory cross over game, we will be playing the other division teams 4 out of 10 times. As a Penn State fan, games such as PSU vs. Iowa, PSU vs. Michigan will be scheduled less than half the time. If we are in one conference shouldn?t we play each team at home at least once in an undergraduate student?s career?From my perspective, the division alignment and cross-over game with an 8 game schedule will have a negative impact on the conference. Should the Big Ten revisit the divisions and mandatory cross-over games if they don?t go with a 9 game schedule?

Adam Rittenberg: Some good points here, Dave. During the expansion process, Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany talked extensively about maintaining the intimacy of a league. He doesn't want a situation like Big East basketball where some teams don't play each other every year. Delany wants to go to a nine-game conference schedule, and I think we'll see one in the next five years. It needs to be flushed out because of future scheduling, but I'd be surprised if we don't see nine league games eventually. Now if it doesn't happen, the league could revisit the crossover games, but I can't see the divisions going anywhere.

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Aaron from Milwaukee writes: Adam. I seldom diagree with any of your blog posts. However, after reading the big ten post season rankings and the people listed as "just missed the cut" I believe you left out Tyler Sash of Iowa. I understand that there are many great players in the big ten, but come on man. All this guy did was make plays. Please explain to me your reasoning.

Andrew from SEC country writes: Hey Adam, I read blog everyday to keep up with Big Ten news (it's hard to get updates on teams that aren't in the SEC!). Referring to your player rankings, I think you really missed 1 player. Where is Tyler Sash? I'm not just saying this because I am a Hawkeye fan, but I'm genuinely wondering why he is not on the list? He made an impact on many game, even though he did not have the stats he did the past 2 years. Can you give so reasons you did not include him. Other than that, I think you nailed it!

Adam Rittenberg: Sash had a nice season and will go on to have a good NFL career. I just felt other Big Ten standouts impacted games more consistently than he did in 2010. Sash made a huge impact against Michigan State and several other teams, but the consistent playmaking ability we saw from him in 2009 wasn't as pronounced last fall. Again, not saying he had a bad year by any means, but other players had better seasons. You could say "all this guy did was make plays" in 2009, but not in 2010.

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Adam S. from Columbus, Ohio, writes: Adam, I respect what you do with the player rankings. I know I could not be as objective as you are. But I try to be, and thinking about Ohio State's season, I don't understand how Ross Homan did not even make honorable mention. I think one could argue he was the best player on a very good defense for the past two seasons. As far as NFL potential, I have seen him ranked in the top 5 OLB prospects in some "expert" opinions. I understand if you just had to limit the Ohio State players on the list because no one likes us and they would get angry, but I would rather he be included over Mike Adams.

Adam Rittenberg: Homan was an interesting case because he has been so consistent throughout a very good Buckeyes career. He missed some time with injury this past season but still put up some decent numbers (72 tackles, 2 forced fumbles). I'll go ahead and say that was a miss on my part and Homan should have been at least among the players who barely missed the cut. I definitely didn't limit players from any team, and I wouldn't discount what Adams did at left tackle.

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David from Chicago writes: Hey Adam, could you talk more about Northwestern's kicking situation for the upcoming season? Demos's departure always seems to be mentioned in passing, but I think it leaves a huge hole that NU needs to fill. Northwestern isn't a big school, so leaving the spot open for a walk-on doesn't seem like an option. What does the depth chart look like right now? Thanks!

Adam Rittenberg: David, I totally agree that the kicker situation is critical for Northwestern, given the number of Wildcats games where the kicking game has played a huge role. Sophomore Jeff Budzien and junior Steve Flaherty are the top two options right now in spring practice. Budzien is a scholarship player who came to Northwestern with a decent amount of buzz as a recruit. Flaherty is a walk-on best known for being on the field when Northwestern tried a fake field goal to win the 2010 Outback Bowl against Auburn. Neither guy has much experience, so it's a pretty wide-open race there.

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Blackshirt Backer from Minneapolis writes: I disagree about D-Line as Nebraska's strongest position... Linebackers. And it's not close. I'd bet good money that Nebraska's trio of Lavonte David, Will Compton, and Sean Fisher will be the best linebacking group in the country next season. The D-Line might struggle as they are a little undersized for the Big Ten and secondary is breaking in a few too many starters, but Nebraska will have a standard Bo Pelini Blackshirt defense because of the linebackers.

Adam Rittenberg: Some good points, Blackshirt, but you can't say it's linebackers in a runaway. David is an All-America candidate who will be the Big Ten's top returning linebacker in 2011, but Compton had only 15 tackles in nine games last fall and Fisher missed all of last season with a broken leg. While Fisher showed a lot of good things in 2009 as a redshirt freshman, we'll have to see how he responds from the time off. I'm not saying Nebraska's linebackers won't be a major strength, but the safer bet is a defensive line that returns three starters. It will be interesting to see how many linebackers Nebraska plays this coming season and how David & Co. adjust to facing offenses built around the power game.

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Chris from Columbus, Ohio, writes: Hey Adam,I have a hypothetical situation for you. Say Ohio State manages to weather the storm and win the Big Ten next year. It would easily be Tressel's best coaching job and deserving of the Coach of the Year award but would the Big Ten be willing to give him an award right after he got caught for cheating? What would they do in that situation?

Adam Rittenberg: Chris, since Big Ten media members vote on this award, I'd be pretty shocked if it went to Tressel after what we've learned in the last few weeks. If Ohio State were to win the Big Ten title, Tressel would get credit, but so would his assistants, who ran the game operations on Saturdays. The interesting thing is that before Tressel's involvement came to light, the situation set up well for him to finally win Coach of the Year, guiding Ohio State to a title despite the absence of the players. But since Tressel is joining his players for the suspension -- and he could face more penalties from the NCAA -- I just can't see him winning this award.

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Eric from Brighton, Mass., writes: Hey Adam-I think you did a good job overall on the postseason rankings, but I have a question on one omission: Why was Derek Moye not included in your top 35 (including the first 10 out)?His stats overall were fairly comparable to #9 Sanzenbacher, and he did it with much worse quarterbacking (a true freshman and a walk-on). If your list was designed to take importance to the team into account, Moye has an even stronger case. He basically was the only consistent part of our passing offense.I'm not trying to come across as a whiny Penn State fan (I know you get a lot of those), I'm more just curious for your rationale.Thanks, and keep up the good work!

Adam Rittenberg: You're right, Eric. Moye has a strong case, and he's certainly a guy who gained some consideration for the rankings. He didn't consistently impact games as much as Sanzenbacher, but he wasn't far off. I was comfortable with Sanzenbacher and Indiana's Tandon Doss as my top two receivers, but Moye certainly is in that second group with Northwestern's Jeremy Ebert and Iowa's Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Marvin McNutt. I'd expect to see his name in the preseason player rankings.

The 2010 Big Ten postseason player rankings continue with ...

No. 9: Dane Sanzenbacher, WR, Ohio State, Sr., 5-11, 180

2010 numbers: Led the Big Ten with 11 receiving touchdowns; ranked second in the league in receiving yards per game (72.9 ypg) and had the highest yards-per-reception average (17.2) among the league's top 10 pass-catchers; caught 55 passed for 948 yards; finished ninth in the league in touchdowns with 12 (11 receiving, 1 rushing); earned consensus first-team All-Big Ten honors.

Preseason rank: Unranked in the preseason Top 25 players

Why he's here: As you know by now, these rankings are all about impact, and arguably no Ohio State offensive player made a more significant impact than Sanzenbacher. He went from moderate unknown to part of the college football lexicon. He caught touchdowns in eight separate games -- he hauled in a team record-tying four in a rout of Eastern Michigan -- and recorded three or more receptions in 12 of Ohio State's 13 games.

Arguably his most valuable contribution came in the Sugar Bowl as he recovered a Terrelle Pryor fumble in the end zone to give Ohio State a 6-0 lead and cap the game's opening drive. Known as a fearless player prepared to make tough catches over the middle, Sanzenbacher elevated his game to become without question the Big Ten's top receiver this fall. It's no surprise Sanzenbacher's teammates voted him as Ohio State's MVP in 2010. The Buckeyes went 36-5 when he recorded at least one reception.

• No. 9: Ohio State WR Dane Sanzenbacher
• No. 10: Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien
• No. 11: Michigan State LB Greg Jones
• No. 12: Ohio State CB Chimdi Chekwa
• No. 13: Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor
• No. 14: Wisconsin G John Moffitt
• No. 15: Michigan C David Molk
• No. 16: Ohio State DE Cameron Heyward:
• No. 17: Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi
• No. 18: Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins
• No. 19: Indiana WR Tandon Doss
• No. 21: Penn State G Stefen Wisniewski
• No. 22: Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn
• No. 23: Wisconsin RB James White
• No. 24: Ohio State LT Mike Adams
• No. 25: Indiana QB Ben Chappell

The NFL scouting combine wrapped up Tuesday with the defensive backs going through drills.

Let's check out the Big Ten's top performers:

CORNERBACKS

• Ohio State's Chimdi Chekwa tied for third in the 40-yard dash at 4.4 seconds; Nebraska's Prince Amukamara tied for fifth at 4.43 seconds;
• Ohio State's Jermale Hines (listed as a cornerback for the combine) tied for 10th in bench-press reps with 19
• Amukamara tied for fifth in the vertical jump at 38 inches
• Amukamara tied for second in the broad jump at 10 feet, 8 inches; Chekwa tied for sixth at 10 feet, 6 inches
• Nebraska's Eric Hagg finished 10th in the 3-cone drill at 6.73 seconds

SAFETIES

• Iowa's Tyler Sash tied for fourth in the 40-yard dash at 4.62 seconds
• Sash tied for fifth in the vertical jump at 33 inches
• Sash tied for second in the 3-cone drill at 6.9 seconds

Now that the combine is finished, let's see which Big Ten players ranked in overall top performance.

BIG TEN TOP COMBINE PERFORMANCES (all positions)

• Chekwa tied for eighth in the 40-yard dash at 4.4 seconds; Nebraska running back Roy Helu Jr. finished 13th at 4.42 seconds; Amukamara finished 14th at 4.43 seconds
• Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt tied for fourth in bench-press reps with 34; Ohio State linebacker Ross Homan tied for 10th with 32; Purdue defensive end Ryan Kerrigan tied for 12th with 31
• Indiana receiver Terrance Turner tied for fifth in vertical jump at 41 inches
• Amukamara and Turner tied for ninth in broad jump at 10 feet, 8 inches
• Ohio State receiver Dane Sanzenbacher finished third in the 3-cone drill at 6.46 seconds
• Sanzenbacher finished sixth in the 20-yard shuttle at 3.97 seconds; Helu tied for 11th at 4.01 seconds
• Sanzenbacher finished fourth in the 60-yard shuttle at 10.94 seconds; Helu tied for ninth at 11.07 seconds

All eyes were on Indianapolis this weekend as dozens of NFL prospects, including a large contingent from the Big Ten, went through the scouting combine.

My ESPN colleagues are all over the happenings in Naptown, so check out the combine blog and the latest Scouts Inc. combine notebook.

There's more testing and timing Monday with the defensive linemen and linebackers, but some results are in, so let's take a look. I'm breaking these down into top performers by position. I'll put together an overall top performers post once the combine is finished.

Wide receivers

• Nebraska's Niles Paul finished second in bench-press reps (225 pounds) with 24
• Paul tied for 14th in the 40-yard dash at 4.51 seconds
• Indiana's Terrance Turner tied for second in vertical jump at 41 inches
• Turner finished seventh in broad jump at 10 feet, 8 inches
• Ohio State's Dane Sanzenbacher finished second in 3-cone drill at 6.46 seconds; Turner tied for 14th at 6.77 seconds
• Sanzenbacher finished third in the 20-yard shuttle at 3.97 seconds; Paul finished 12th at 4.14 seconds; Turner finished tied for 13th at 4.15 seconds
• Sanzenbacher finished second in the 60-yard shuttle at 10.94 seconds; Turner tied for ninth at 11.21 seconds

Quarterbacks

• Iowa's Ricky Stanzi and Wisconsin's Scott Tolzien tied for 13th in the 40-yard dash at 4.93 seconds
• Stanzi finished ninth in the vertical jump at 32.5 inches; Tolzien tied for 12th at 29.5 inches
• Tolzien tied for seventh in the broad jump at 9 feet, 8 inches; Stanzi finished 12th at 9 feet, 2 inches
• Tolzien tied for third in the 3-cone drill at 6.84 seconds; Stanzi finished 12th at 6.95 seconds

Running backs

• Nebraska's Roy Helu Jr. finished sixth in the 40-yard dash at 4.42 seconds; Ohio State's Brandon Saine finished seventh at 4.43 seconds;
• Illinois' Mikel Leshoure tied for third in the vertical jump at 38 inches; Helu tied for eighth at 36.5 inches
• Leshoure tied for fourth in the broad jump at 10 feet, 2 inches; Helu finished 10th at 9 feet, 11 inches
• Helu finished second in the 3-cone drill at 6.67 seconds; Leshoure finished sixth at 6.82 seconds
• Helu finished first in the 20-yard shuttle at 4.01 seconds; Penn State's Evan Royster tied for eighth at 4.18 seconds
• Helu finished first in the 60-yard shuttle at 11.07 seconds

Tight ends

• Wisconsin's Lance Kendricks finished eighth in the 40-yard dash at 4.75 seconds; Michigan State's Charlie Gantt finished 11th at 4.93 seconds; Iowa's Allen Reisner finished 12th at 4.95 seconds
• Gantt tied for first in bench-press reps with 27; Kendricks tied for third with 25
• Kendricks finished sixth in vertical jump at 34.5 inches; Gantt finished 13th at 30.5 inches
• Kendricks finished second in broad jump at 10 feet, 2 inches; Gantt finished ninth at 9 feet, 4 inches; Reisner tied for 12th at 9 feet
• Kendricks finished sixth in the 3-cone drill at 6.94 seconds; Gantt finished 11th at 7.15 seconds
• Kendricks tied for second in 20-yard shuttle at 4.15 seconds; Gantt tied for eighth at 4.4 seconds
• Kendricks tied for sixth in 60-yard shuttle at 11.9 seconds; Gantt and Reisner tied for 11th at 12.12 seconds

Defensive linemen

• Wisconsin's J.J. Watt tied for fourth in bench-press reps with 34; Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan tied for sixth with 31

Linebackers

• Ohio State linebacker Ross Homan finished first in bench-press reps with 32; Ohio State's Brian Rolle finished fourth with 28; Illinois' Martez Wilson tied for ninth with 23

Offensive linemen

• Iowa's Julian Vandervelde tied for 10th in the 40-yard dash at 5.21 seconds; Indiana's James Brewer and Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi tied for 14th at 5.27 seconds
• Michigan's Stephen Schilling and Penn State's Stefen Wisniewski tied for sixth in bench-press reps with 30; Carimi tied for ninth with 29; Ohio State's Justin Boren tied for 14th with 28
• Carimi finished fifth in vertical jump at 31.5 inches; Vandervelde tied for sixth at 31 inches; Wisconsin's John Moffitt tied for eighth at 30.5 inches
• Carimi finished fifth in broad jump at 9 feet, 1 inch; Vandervelde finished tied for 13th at 8 feet, 8 inches
• Vandervelde finished seventh in 3-cone drill at 7.46 seconds; Wisniewski finished eighth at 7.51 seconds; Boren finished 11th at 7.57 seconds
• Moffitt finished sixth in 20-yard shuttle at 4.53 seconds; Vandervelde tied for seventh at 4.59 seconds; Schilling tied for ninth at 4.62 seconds;

Spring practice is creeping closer, and Purdue will hit the field in less than two weeks (March 1 to be exact) for the first of its 15 workouts.

Here's a snapshot of what to expect in the Leaders Division this spring.

ILLINOIS

Spring practice starts: March 29
Spring game: April 23

What to watch:

• New look at linebacker: Illinois loses first-team All-Big Ten selection Martez Wilson as well as playmaker Nate Bussey. They combined for 195 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, two interceptions and four fumble recoveries. The Illini need a middle linebacker and could turn to productive senior Ian Thomas or promising sophomore Jonathan Brown. Illinois also is replacing linebackers coach Dan Disch.
• Ford tough: All-American running back Mikel Leshoure departs, turning the spotlight to Jason Ford. At 235 pounds, Ford is a true power back who will give the Illinois offense a slightly different look in 2011. The Illini also want to build depth at running back with players like Troy Pollard.
• Replacing Liuget: Illinois begins the difficult task of replacing the Big Ten's most disruptive interior defensive lineman in Corey Liuget, a likely first-round draft pick in April. Akeem Spence had a very solid redshirt freshman season and will take on a larger role, but Illinois must build around him with Glenn Foster and others. This is a major priority for defensive coordinator Vic Koenning and line coach Keith Gilmore this spring.

INDIANA

Start of spring practice: March 8
Spring game: April 16
End of spring practice: April 19

What to watch:

• Culture change: Kevin Wilson has talked extensively about changing the culture around the Indiana program, and the process begins in full force this spring. Players will have to adjust to the demands of Wilson and his staff, which still isn't in place but soon will be. There will be plenty of teaching and learning, as players must absorb Wilson's offense and a 4-3 defensive scheme (IU operated out of the 3-4 for part of last season).
• Quarterback competition: Three-year starter Ben Chappell departs, and there's no clear-cut successor entering spring practice. Both Dusty Kiel and Edward Wright-Baker played sparingly in five games last season, and they bring different skills to the table. It'll be interesting to see who emerges under center this spring before acclaimed recruit Tre Roberson arrives for fall camp.
• Identify defensive contributors: Indiana can't expect to get over the hump until it upgrades the defense, and co-coordinators Mike Ekeler and Doug Mallory begin a crucial evaluation process this spring. The Hoosiers need to build depth and identify Big Ten-ready players throughout the defense, particularly in the back seven after losing standout linebacker Tyler Replogle and others.

OHIO STATE

Start of spring practice: March 31
Spring game: April 23

• Suspension preparation: Ohio State knows it will be without four offensive starters and a key defensive reserve for the first chunk of the 2011 season. This spring, the Buckeyes start the process of evaluating who will step in, especially at the quarterback spot for Terrelle Pryor. Joe Bauserman holds an edge in experience (though little has come in games), and he'll compete with Kenny Guiton and heralded incoming freshman Braxton Miller.
• Receiving orders for Drayton: Stan Drayton left Florida for Ohio State primarily to expand his coaching repertoire and oversee a new position group. The career running backs coach will work with a mostly unproven group of Ohio State wide receivers this spring. Ohio State must replace All-Big Ten standout Dane Sanzenbacher, and DeVier Posey is among those suspended for the first part of the season. Says Drayton of his receivers, "Personnel wise, they're in competition with the whole offensive unit."
• Up-the-middle defensive replacements: Excuse the baseball reference, but Ohio State loses several standout players in the core of its defense: linemen Cameron Heyward and Dexter Larimore, linebackers Brian Rolle and Ross Homan, and safety Jermale Hines. Although the Buckeyes always find ways to reload on defense, it will be interesting to see who emerges this spring, especially at linebacker.

PENN STATE

Start of spring practice: March 18
Spring game: April 16

What to watch:

• The quarterbacks, especially Rob Bolden: Penn State's quarterback competition should be wide open this spring, and it might be the most fascinating race in the Big Ten. You've got sophomore Rob Bolden, who asked for his release after the Gator Bowl but didn't get it from Joe Paterno, and has returned to compete for a job he thought he never should have lost. Junior Matt McGloin tries to redeem himself after the bowl disaster, and Paul Jones and Kevin Newsome also are in the mix.
• Line play on both sides: The Lions boast enough at the skill positions on both sides of the ball to be a much improved team in 2011. But they have to get better and more consistent on both lines. The offensive line must replace standout Stefen Wisniewski and find the form it displayed in 2008. The defensive line tries to regain its swagger after backsliding in 2010, and identify a pass-rushing threat or two.
• Kicking it: Collin Wagner was Penn State's top offensive weapon for much of the 2010 season, but the standout kicker departs the program, leaving a void. Punter Anthony Fera likely will handle the bulk of the kicking duties this spring until incoming freshman Sam Ficken arrives.

PURDUE

Start of spring practice: March 2
Spring game: April 9

What to watch:

• Replacing Superman: Purdue returns nine defensive starters, but the Boilers lose Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Kerrigan. The Boilers were the league's top pass-rushing team in 2010, but Kerrigan's production and presence played huge roles in the overall sacks and tackles for loss totals. The entire defensive line took a step forward last fall, and will need to do so again without No. 94.
• The quarterbacks: Robert Marve is still recovering from his second ACL tear, so Rob Henry, Caleb TerBush and Sean Robinson will be in the spotlight this spring. Henry showed promise when healthy in 2010, and TerBush had a strong spring a year ago before being ruled academically ineligible for the season. The quarterback race won't be decided until the summer, but all the candidates can help themselves in spring ball.
• The offensive identity: A wave of injuries forced Purdue to overhaul its plan on offense in 2010. Although several key players will be out or limited this spring, the Boilers can start to reshape their plan on offense. Coach Danny Hope is optimistic Marve and the others return at full strength, but he doesn't want to take anything for granted. This is a huge spring for players a notch or two down the depth chart to get noticed.

WISCONSIN

Start of spring practice: March 22
Spring game: April 23

What to watch:

• Finding Tolzien's successor: After a one-year respite, Wisconsin's annual spring quarterback competition resumes. Sort of. Jon Budmayr will have every opportunity to establish himself as the Badgers' top option before Curt Phillips (knee) returns to full strength. Budmayr turned heads with his performance two springs ago, but played sparingly last season behind Scott Tolzien.
• New leadership on defense: Charlie Partridge and Chris Ash are familiar faces who step into new roles this spring. Partridge and Ash were promoted to co-defensive coordinators following Dave Doeren's departure, and they'll get their first opportunity to shape the defensive vision this spring.
• Reloading on the lines: Wisconsin loses three All-American linemen from 2010: Gabe Carimi and John Moffitt on the offensive side, and J.J. Watt at defensive end. Although the Badgers must replace more bodies on the offensive front, they boast excellent depth there and should be able to fill the gaps. Watt leaves a bigger void, and Wisconsin needs strong springs from players like Louis Nzegwu and David Gilbert.

It took a little while, but I finally got in touch with the newest member of Jim Tressel's staff at Ohio State. Stan Drayton is back in familiar surroundings -- he grew up in Cleveland -- but is taking on an unfamiliar task of coaching wide receivers. Drayton played running back and has coached the position exclusively at the college level, most recently at Florida. He replaces Darrell Hazell, who left Ohio State to become head coach at Kent State.

Drayton will recruit locally in the Columbus area and also throughout Florida.

Check out Drayton's thoughts on several topics from our recent discussion.

How important was it for you to have a chance to be closer to home?

Stan Drayton: It played a big part in it. When you're at a place like Florida, you start looking for the intangibles. The final factor was the opportunity to coach another position. It's a huge move in the right direction for me to be able to get into something new, add a little versatility to my background. But my dad lives right here in Columbus. My sister, my kids' first cousins are here in Columbus. They're really, really close, so the opportunity to see their family members on a daily basis as opposed to one or two occasions throughout the year, it's awesome for them.

Were you looking to coach another position or even expand your role if you stayed at Florida?


SD: I wasn't looking for another situation by any stretch. [Will] Muschamp came in, I was really impressed with his approach and the kind of person he was and the staff he was putting together. I had a really good running back group coming back and I was really intrigued by Charlie Weis coming in there and the type of system that he runs, being able to learn from him. And then I get this call from coach Tressel throwing out this receiver deal and the more I thought about it, I just got so intrigued by it. He expressed how Earle Bruce gave him another position to coach, took him out of his comfort zone a little bit and how it's helped him as a ball coach. It really became very important for me to try to experience some of that. It became the deciding factor.

You've been around receivers and receivers coaches before. Have you reached out to any of them to get more insight on that position?

SD: I'm going to tap into somebody that I really know and trust, Ray Sherman, who's been coaching the receiver position for 36 years or something like that in the pros. I had the chance to be under his tutelage for three years when I was with the [Green Bay] Packers and learned a lot that way. I'm going to spend a lot of time with him, maybe go out and research other good receivers coaches around the country, both collegiate and NFL. And I'm really close to Donald Driver, so I'm going to sit down and try to get a player's perspective on receiver play, somebody who has had a tremendous amount of success at the position. A lot of times, what a coach will tell you and what a player will tell you about playing a position will really be two different things. I'm going to try and get as much information as I can from those people and move from there.

Personality wise, what's the biggest difference between running backs and wide receivers?

SD: If you would have asked me that as a running backs coach, I would have told you a totally different answer [laughs]. I need to be politically correct now. The game is physical for both positions, but there's a different type of physicality at running back. You've got blitz pickup, which is a very violent deal. You're dealing with a little bit closer parameters when you're running the football. You get yourself a lot of times in a little bit more space as a receiver. The skill set and the things you develop as an athlete are a little different, but once the ball is in your hands, you're a ball carrier, whether you're a running back or a receiver. You need to have a mentality of a ball carrier. But it's a little different mind-set.

Me transitioning from a running backs coach to a receivers coach, already my scope and the way I see the game has widened that much more to the perimeter. With the running backs, our focus was a little more on the box awareness and safety locations and not all the way out to the corners. There were times we had to pick up corner pressures and stuff like that, but on a play-by-play basis, my vision has to expand a little bit wider to the perimeter, which has been really, really fun.

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