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).

For lunch: codfish, Heinz beans and links. With a Shirley Temple, since we're tapering.

• The Michigan State defense is really good -- maybe even national championship good, Matt Charboneau writes. New Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins has been working with a neuropsychologist to try and gain a competitive mental edge.
• Nebraska running back Aaron Green is transferring, with an eye on getting closer to his San Antonio home.
• Tim May and Bill Rabinowitz review Ohio State's spring.
• Bill O'Brien says his quarterback choice will be about winning now, not who has more eligibility left. O'Brien is on board with a college football playoff system.
• Rob Henry is determined to get stronger and get back into the thick of the Purdue quarterback competition.
• New Minnesota AD Norwood Teague has had success at fundraising, something he'll need to repeat with the Gophers.
• Wisconsin picked up two commitments for 2013, while the son of former Badgers captain Joe Panos became the first commitment in the 2014 class.
• Eleven Iowa players were either drafted or signed free-agent deals with NFL teams. The Hawkeyes have seven commitments for the 2013 class, joining the fast lane of modern recruiting.
• Northwestern's Drake Dunsmore and Jeremy Ebert got picked in the last round, and Dunsmore might reunite with Dan Persa in Tampa Bay.
• Indiana offensive tackle Andrew McDonald is hoping to catch on as an NFL free agent.
• A few undrafted Michigan players, including Ryan Van Bergen and Troy Woolfolk, landed free-agent deals.
• Illinois' draft success made Ron Zook smile.
• Lee Barfknecht breaks down the Leaders Division following spring practice.

Chantel Jennings writes : Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin is cherishing his final moments in Ann Arbor before moving on to his dream of being an NFL player.

Michael Rothstein writes: Troy Woolfolk and Ryan Van Bergen discuss their ways of coping with being on the NFL draft bubble.

WolverineNation Roundtable : The WolverineNation panel discusses football captains, tough basketball matchups and how Michigan might finish in the final 2013 recruiting rankings.

Tom VanHaaren writes : Tom VanHaaren shares exclusive recruiting information to subscribers of The Den Forum in this weekly feature.

NEW ORLEANS -- Will Heininger might have played his last game at Michigan.

All week, the Michigan coaching staff held out hope the senior defensive lineman would be able to play in Tuesday's Allstate Sugar Bowl despite a foot injury.

Now, it looks like it isn't going to happen.

"Heininger probably won't be ready," Michigan coach Brady Hoke said Sunday. "He's tried and it's just going to be a shame because he's played his senior year like a senior should and done a great job as a leader up front."

Heininger's absence likely means Will Campbell and Quinton Washington will see increased playing time next to defensive tackle Mike Martin. Heininger started all 12 games for Michigan this season, making 23 tackles and four tackles for loss, including one sack.

Campbell played in 12 games this season, making 11 tackles and two sacks. Washington played in eight games, making one tackle.

Hoke also said Thomas Gordon will likely start over Troy Woolfolk at free safety. and Will Hagerup beat out Matt Wile for punter. When asked what nudged Gordon, Michigan's third-leading tackler, over Woolfolk, Hoke said Gordon has been more consistent.

WolverineNation has more on the Michigan football program:

Michael Rothstein writes : New coordinator Greg Mattison worked nothing short of a miracle to turn one of the nation’s worst defenses into one of its best.

Rothstein writes: DBs J.T. Floyd and Troy Woolfolk bonded last year while missing much of the season with injuries, including the bowl game. That won’t be the case for the Sugar Bowl, as both are likely to start.

Tom VanHaaren: Recruiting chat wrap

Let's see where some key individual award races stand with two weeks left to go in the regular season:

Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year


1. Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson: Russellmania is back on top this week after a nearly perfect (16-for-17, four touchdowns) performance at Minnesota. He will shatter the NCAA record for passer efficiency if he maintains anywhere close to his current pace.

2. Wisconsin running back Montee Ball: It's odd to have two players from the same team be the top two candidates. But it's also hard to argue right now. Ball leads the Big Ten in rushing yards and also just set the league touchdown record with two games to play.

3. Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead: After an off week against Northwestern, Burkhead bounced back with a big performance against a very tough Penn State defense. And he almost got to show off his passing skills while playing under center for several snaps.

4. Iowa wide receiver Marvin McNutt: A.J. Jenkins may have been named a Biletnikoff semifinalist, but for my money McNutt is the best receiver in the Big Ten right now. He has 11 fewer catches and 44 fewer receiving yards than Jenkins but has three more touchdowns and a better yards-per-catch average (16.8 to Jenkins' 14.9).

5. Iowa running back Marcus Coker: He didn't have a great game against Michigan State, but Coker still ranks second in the league in rushing and third in rushing touchdowns. With Silas Redd having an off day against Nebraska, Coker moves ahead of the Penn State back.



Just missed: Redd

Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year

1. Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still: The Nittany Lions lost last week, but Still was dominant. His play to force a fumble that set up Penn State's last touchdown was the perfect illustration of how great he's been this season.

2. Nebraska linebacker Lavonte David: Speaking of great, David made the key tackle in the game by stopping Redd on a fourth-and-1 run. There aren't many better linebackers in the country.

3. Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus: You can't ignore Mercilus' 12.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss and seven forced fumbles. But his prospects are fading a bit as Illinois continues to falter.

4. Wisconsin linebacker Mike Taylor: One of the most improved players in the league, Taylor had a 13-tackle showing against Minnesota and now leads the Big Ten in tackles with 108.

5. Ohio State defensive tackle John Simon: He's tied for third in the league in sacks (6) and is sixth with 13.5 tackles for loss as the anchor of the Buckeyes' defense.

Just missed: Purdue DT Kawann Short

Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year

1. Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller: He still has a way to go as a passer, but Miller has shown remarkable poise in the clutch and is a tremendous runner. He made an amazing play to beat Wisconsin and another fantastic one to tie the score last week at Purdue in the final minute. Big Ten defenses will have to worry about him for a long time.

2. Michigan State defensive end Marcus Rush: Jerel Worthy and William Gholston get most of the attention on the Spartans' defensive front, but Rush has been a valuable player there as well. He has 43 tackles, two sacks and eight tackles for loss on the season.

3. Michigan cornerback Blake Countess: The true freshman has emerged as a starting corner, moving veteran Troy Woolfolk to safety. He has displayed excellent cover skills and has six pass breakups in nine games to help Michigan's defense improve.

Michigan safety Jordan Kovacs will return to the lineup Saturday at Iowa after missing last week's Purdue game with a knee injury.

Kovacs led the team with three sacks and was third on the team with 42 tackles heading into last week's game. The redshirt junior was named one of 20 quarterfinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which is awarded to college football's defensive player of the year for his play and character.

Michigan started cornerback Troy Woolfolk at safety last week in place of Kovacs. Safety Carvin Johnson left the team earlier this week.

The Wolverines will likely need help in the secondary against the passing attack led by Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg and receiver Marvin McNutt.

So there was this big news yesterday. I may need to take a leave of absence.

• Pat Harty wonders if Kirk Ferentz's ways are still working for Iowa. Athletic director Gary Barta says Ferentz is still the best coach for the school. Iowa is still looking for answers on defense.

• Michigan's Troy Woolfolk is enjoying his move back to safety as he makes room for freshman Blake Countess. Greg Mattison's son will be cheering for Iowa this week.

• Purdue's running game has been grounded of late. The Boilers' defense hopes to eliminate the big plays this week at Wisconsin.

• Mike Taylor doesn't talk a whole lot, but when the Wisconsin linebacker speaks up, teammates listen. It's time for the annual discussion of whether Bret Bielema is the right coach for the Badgers long term, Michael Hunt writes.

• Ohio State was improvising things on its game-winning play against Wisconsin. Boom Herron has given the team an emotional lift. NCAA sanctions could end the Buckeyes party.

• Maybe Damarlo Belcher's dismissal will end up helping Indiana.

• Michigan State is trying to figure out where its offense went wrong against Nebraska. Offensive coordinator Dan Roushar says the Spartans should have worked the middle of the field more.

• Minnesota receiver/returner Marcus Jones is out for the year with a knee injury.

• Pat Fitzgerald talks about the challenge of facing Nebraska.

• Taylor Martinez has grown a lot as a game manager for Nebraska. Three freshmen running backs are vying to be the next Huskers workhorse.

• Joe Paterno is no fan of this bye week. Penn State may be off, but it's still trying to earn respect.

• Teddy Greenstein handicaps the Big Ten race.

Michigan will be without starting safety Jordan Kovacs for today's game against Purdue.

Kovacs is out with a knee injury. He's questionable for next week's game at Iowa.

Kovacs ranks third on the team in tackles (42) and leads Michigan with three sacks, as he has been very effective on blitzes. He also has an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Senior Troy Woolfolk will shift from cornerback to safety to fill Kovacs' spot against the Boilers. Woolfolk made six starts at safety in the 2009 season. Freshman Blake Countess will fill Woolfolk's starting cornerback spot.

These links go out to King Leonidas.

• Saturday's game at Miami marks a homecoming for 10 Ohio State players from the Sunshine State, Tim May writes in The Columbus Dispatch. The co-founder of the charity event where Ohio State players received cash says he had no knowledge of the payments, Doug Lesmerises writes in The Cleveland Plain Dealer.
• Penn State's quarterback competition is over, but does Joe Paterno know it? It's decision time at the QB spot. Mike Poorman wonders if JoePa can fix Penn State one last time.
• Fantasy and reality are two different things for Michigan, Michael Rosenberg writes in the Detroit Free Press. Wolverines CB Troy Woolfolk has persevered throughout his college career, colleague Chantel Jennings writes.
• Buying a BMW apparently has its perks for Big Ten fans.
• Bo Pelini is disgusted with Nebraska's defense, Jon Nyatawa writes in the Omaha World-Herald. A look at how the Huskers swiped Ameer Abdullah from SEC country.
• There's good news on the Jerry Kill front, Marcus Fuller writes in the (St. Paul) Pioneer Press. The Minnesota coach has had several health scares in his career.
• Devin Smith's injury has thrust Wisconsin CB Marcus Cromartie into the spotlight. An interesting piece from Andy Baggot on how Badgers players approached the political uproar in the state earlier this year.
• Illinois needs to go to finishing school as a big game arrives Saturday, Loren Tate writes in The (Champaign) News-Gazette.
• Michigan State's defense will test Notre Dame, colleague Matt Fortuna writes. The Lansing State Journal's Joe Rexrode expects another close game between the Spartans and the Irish.
• Some interesting comments from Indiana assistant Mike Ekeler on how the Hoosiers need to stop hoping for wins and start demanding them. IU's latest depth chart has two walk-ons listed as starting linebackers, Dustin Dopirak writes (subscription required).
• Northwestern begins preparing for Army's unique schemes, Tina Akouris writes in the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Athlon Sports' latest Big Ten power rankings still have Nebraska, and not Wisconsin, on top.
• The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette's Marc Morehouse and Scott Dochterman break down Iowa's loss to Iowa State.

It will be weird for Michigan fans to see former star running back Mike Hart on the opposite sidelines wearing different colors this week. But Hart says he is prepared. Hart, who is now a quality control coach at Eastern Michigan, told the Detroit News' Angelique S. Chengelis that his heart now firmly resides in Ypsilanti.

"I'm committed to this team," Hart said. "This is who I am. I am Eastern Michigan. I coach at Eastern Michigan. I want Eastern Michigan to win every game. I don't cheer for Michigan ever anymore. I watch the game and I watch as a coach trying to see what they're going to do."

Hart said he doesn't care what the Wolverines do and is only trying to win a MAC championship at Eastern Michigan, which is 2-0 but has played a pair of FCS teams. He's not expecting to be overwhelmed by a flood of memories at Michigan Stadium.

"I think once you get in there, I'm so focused on the task at hand that I probably really won't notice," he said. "When I walk in it might be, 'Whoa, I'm on the other sideline,' but I've got a job to do."

Those are all the right things to say, and when you're a competitor your main goal is always to get your team a victory no matter who you're playing. But my guess is that Hart was watching Saturday night's game against Notre Dame as a little more than a dispassionate observer, and that he would love nothing more to get back to Ann Arbor as a coach some day.

In other Wolverines news, head coach Brady Hoke said Monday that running back Fitz Toussaint, who missed Saturday's game with a shoulder injury, should hopefully be ready for Eastern Michigan. Cornerback Troy Woolfolk is battered and bruised; he wore a hand cast Saturday after dealing with an ankle injury all week, and then he took a shot to the face in the game. But Hoke said Woolfolk would keep on playing. The health status of linebackers Cam Gordon and Brandon Herron will continue to be monitored this week. Junior Brandin Hawthorne is now listed as the starter at weakside linebacker.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Quick analysis of the first half at Michigan Stadium, where Notre Dame leads Michigan 17-7:

Stat of the half: Some numbers don't lie. Notre Dame has 268 total yards to just 90 for the Wolverines. The Irish have been clearly the better team, and might have a bigger lead if not for two interceptions, one of which led to Michigan's only score. Denard Robinson has accounted for 88 of his team's first-half yardage, but Notre Dame has for the most part contained Shoelace the first 20 minutes.

Best player in the half: Michael Floyd. It was obvious coming in that Floyd was Notre Dame's best offensive weapon, and he has delivered. With Michigan cornerback Troy Woolfolk not starting and playing only a handful of snaps because of a hand injury, the Irish have looked to Floyd often. He became Notre Dame's all-time leading receiver with a seven-catch, 112-yard first half.

Best call: Two plays after Jordan Kovacs picked off Notre Dame quarterback Tommy Rees, Robinson got the defense to bite on a play-action. He had all kinds of time and waited for Junior Hemingway to get free from cornerback Gary Gray. Robinson threw it up, and Hemingway dived into the end zone for a 43-yard touchdown. That got the Big House crowd back into things, but big plays have been few and far between so far for the home team.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The Big House was electric to start this game, after a touching ceremony to honor Desmond Howard and the sun set for a true night experience.

But the early proceedings did not go well for the Wolverines.

They went three-and-out on their first series, as Notre Dame showed good pursuit after Denard Robinson's first, seven-yard run. Even worse, the Irish zipped down the field for a touchdown on the ensuing possession, opening huge holes for running back Cierre Wood. Right now, Notre Dame looks better in the trenches, and that could be an early warning sign for Michigan.

Also, Troy Woolfolk did not start at cornerback for the Wolverines after wearing a cast in warm-ups. Without him, the defense might have trouble covering Michael Floyd and the other Irish receivers.

But it's early, even here at night. Remember Michigan got off to a shaky defensive start last week and recovered nicely.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Greetings from the Big House Night Club.

We're almost ready for Michigan-Notre Dame under the lights, and the atmosphere is already rocking. The Wolverines handed out yellow pom-poms to fans, and the student section in particular is making great, coordinated use of them. It looks cool and should be a good sight on TV.

Also pretty cool: Both teams' special throwback uniforms for this game. I was lukewarm on the striped Michigan duds when they were unveiled, but they look much better in person. And Notre Dame's are sharp as well.

Personnel news: Michigan cornerback Troy Woolfolk had a cast on his right hand during warmups. Woolofolk had an ankle problem earlier in the week but was supposed to be full go. It will be interesting to see how he handles the matchup with the big, physical Michael Floyd if he is indeed lined up against the Notre Dame star receiver tonight.

Linebacker Cam Gordon is not expected to play for the Wolverines tonight for the second straight week. Reserve linebacker Marell Evans is still not eligible.

Almost time to kick it off under the lights.

Is it Saturday yet?

• Penn State will need to be nearly perfect against Alabama to have a chance. Joe Paterno says there's a good chance he'll be back on the sidelines Saturday. There's still no clarity in the Nittany Lions quarterback situation.
• Michigan and Michigan State still have much to prove, Lynn Henning says. Greg Mattison has worked on both sides of the Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry. Troy Woolfolk practiced on his sprained ankle and expects to play Saturday.
• The left tackle job remains up for grabs at Michigan State.
• Nebraska wants more out of center Mike Caputo, one of the lone veterans on the offensive line. Linebacker Will Compton returned to practice after surviving an injury scare. scare. Quincy Enunwa is emerging as a big-play receiver.
• Why can't Northwestern win nine or more games this year?
• A long wait to play is now paying off for Ohio State quarterback Joe Bauserman.
• New Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas wants to boost home football attendance. The Illini have stayed remarkably healthy so far.
• Darius Willis may not return this season for Indiana (subscription required).
• Marcus Coker knows he messed up and is working to fix his fumble problems. For some reason, Iowa State never even recruited James Vandenberg. The Hawkeyes won't be wearing new, wacky uniforms a la Maryland any time soon.
• Minnesota coach Jerry Kill isn't afraid to move players around, as evidenced by his use of running back Lamonte Edwards at defensive end in spots at USC. Troy Stoudermire is close to breaking the Big Ten kick return record.
• Robert Marve is getting closer to being able to contribute for Purdue.
• Wisconsin used a heavy rotation on the defensive line against UNLV. The Badgers added a Pitt transfer at tight end and deleted defensive end Jake Irwin from their roster.
• Don't like our Big Ten power rankings? Athlon has a different take on the league pecking order.