ESPN College Football

Football strength training is the flavor this week on ESPN.com, as we attempt to pump ... you up! Sorry, couldn't resist.

Head coaches get most of the credit -- and, to be fair, most of the blame -- but strength coaches spend more time with players than anyone else on campus. They play major roles in developing personnel for the season.

So who are these guys? Here's a quick look at the Big Ten strength coaches.

ILLINOIS
Name: Lou Hernandez
At Illinois since: 2005
The skinny: Hernandez made the transition from Florida to Illinois with Fighting Illini head coach Ron Zook, for whom he has worked since 2003. A native Texan, Hernandez received both his bachelor's and master's from the University of Houston, where he worked from 1992-2001 as both an assistant strength coach and the head man. Hernandez spent 2002 as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the New York Jets. Despite being just 5-foot-8, Hernandez was a competitive power lifter who could bench 507 pounds and squat 720 in his heyday. He also consults Illinois players on nutrition and helped defensive end Will Davis add to his frame in 2008.

INDIANA
Name: Mark Wateska
At Indiana since: 2002
The skinny: Wateska has spent nearly a quarter century as a strength and conditioning coach, including the last eight seasons with the Hoosiers football program. He played football at Penn State and was part of the 1986 national championship team. Wateska received both his bachelor's degree and his master's degree in exercise and sports science from Penn State and started his career there. He eventually left for Boston College, where he served as an assistant strength coach for four years before he took his first head job at Maine. Before Indiana, Wateska spent seven years as Stanford's head strength and conditioning coach. After his first year at The Farm, Wateksa was named Pac-10 Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NCSA).

IOWA
Name: Chris Doyle
At Iowa since: 1999
The skinny: Doyle has been in Iowa City for every step of the program's resurgence under Kirk Ferentz. He made his mark right away, earning Big Ten Strength Coach of the Year honors from the NCSA in 1999. Doyle has helped 149 players who have reached the professional ranks in the NFL, NHL and NBA, including 24 Iowa players selected in the last six NFL drafts. A native of Quincy, Mass., who earned two degrees at Boston University, Doyle came to Iowa after a year at Utah but was no stranger to the Big Ten. He served as Wisconsin's assistant strength and conditioning coach from 1996-98. Doyle worked both the football and hockey teams in Madison.

MICHIGAN
Name: Mike Barwis
At Michigan since: 2008
The skinny: Barwis followed Rich Rodriguez to Michigan after spending 14 years at West Virginia, where he worked with the school's Olympic sports programs before taking over strength and conditioning for football in 2003. Rodriguez is extremely loyal to Barwis and gives Barwis a lot of credit for the Mountaineers' rise to national prominence from 2005-07. Barwis has coached 24 NCSA All-Americans since 1999 and received the Bronze Award from the NCSA certification commission in 2004. A former mixed-martial arts fighter, Barwis' workout regimes at West Virginia became legendary, and the Philadelphia native has developed quite a reputation among Michigan players and fans.

MICHIGAN STATE
Name: Ken Mannie
At Michigan State since: 1994
The skinny: Mannie made the transition with Nick Saban from Toledo to Michigan State in 1994, but while Saban moved on, Mannie remained a fixture in East Lansing. He has received numerous awards and honors during his Michigan State tenure, including being named Master Strength and Conditioning Coach by the NSCA in 2002 and being inducted into the Varsity S Club as an honorary member in 2007. Mannie, who oversees the strength and conditioning programs for all of Michigan State's sports, is a regular contributor to the Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director publication. He first met Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio at Ohio State, where they both served as graduate assistants in 1984.

MINNESOTA
Name: Mark Hill
At Minnesota since: 2007
The skinny: A 1999 graduate of Tennessee-Chattanooga, Hill already has worked as a high-level strength coach in the Big 12, Pac-10 and Big Ten. He joined Minnesota's staff in head coach Tim Brewster's first season after spending three years as associate director of performance enhancement at Arizona. Hill worked closely with Antoine Cason at Arizona, helping the defensive back win the Thorpe Award. He has mentored six All-Big Ten players at Minnesota and helped coach 13 All-Americans and 28 NFL draft picks as the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Oklahoma from 2000-03. Hill was an All-Southern Conference wide receiver at Tennessee-Chattanooga.

NORTHWESTERN
Name: Larry Lilja
At Northwestern since: 1981
The skinny: Lilja is the dean of Big Ten strength coaches and counts current Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald among the many Wildcats players he tutored during his lengthy run in Evanston. He was a three-year starter at Northwestern from 1973-75, serving as a captain in 1974, before returning in 1981 to run the school's strength and conditioning center. Lilja played a major role in helping Northwestern transform its football program by winning Big Ten championships in 1995 and 1996. He earned Big Ten Conference Strength and Conditioning Professional of the Year honors in 1996. The Lilja family has deep roots in the Big Ten, as Larry and his brothers George (Michigan) and Dave (Indiana) are the only siblings in league history to serve as captains for three different teams.

OHIO STATE
Name: Eric Lichter
At Ohio State since: 2006
The skinny: Lichter built his reputation in the private sector by opening the Speed Strength Athlete Training Center in Euclid, Ohio, where he trained athletes in many sports, including Ohio State NFL draft prospects like Donte Whitner and Bobby Carpenter. He served as a consultant to Ohio State's 2002 national championship team and brought Power Plate technology to the program. Head coach Jim Tressel hired him in 2006 to oversee the strength and conditioning program. Lichter has trained six Top 10 NFL draft picks and has worked with LeBron James, Ron Dayne and others. His mother, Linda Lichter Witter, is Ohio State’s synchronized swimming coach, and Eric served as a consultant for the synchronized swimming team before joining Tressel's staff.

PENN STATE
Name: John Thomas
At Penn State since: 1992
The skinny: Like pretty much every member of Joe Paterno's staff, Thomas has been in State College for quite some time, making his mark on the Penn State program. In 2002, Thomas was named a Master of Strength and Conditioning Coach by the NSCA, one of only 27 people to carry the title at the time. He also was named National Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year in 1997. Thomas is a staunch supporter of the High Intensity Strength Training System (HIT), which early last decade created some discontent that has since subsided. Thomas came to Penn State from Army, where he served as head strength and conditioning coach in 1990-91. He played both offensive and defensive line at Muskingum College.

PURDUE
Name: Jim Lathrop
At Purdue since: 1998 (sixth year as director of strength and conditioning)
The skinny: Lathrop made the trek with Joe Tiller and Danny Hope from Wyoming to Purdue after being named the WAC's strength and conditioning coordinator professional of the year in 1996. He spent seven years as strength and conditioning coordinator before being promoted to oversee strength and conditioning for Purdue's entire athletic program. Lathrop designs specific training programs for football, wrestling, and men's and women's track. A former offensive guard for Northwest Missouri State, Lathrop served as both an assistant and a director of strength and conditioning at Georgia Tech from 1988-92. Georgia Tech won the 1990 national championship during his first year as director.

WISCONSIN
Name: Ben Herbert
At Wisconsin since: 2002 (named head strength and conditioning coach in January 2009)
The skinny: Herbert cut his teeth under longtime Wisconsin strength coach John Dettman before working his way into the top football job last winter. A two-year starter on the defensive line for the Badgers, Herbert helped Wisconsin reach back-to-back Rose Bowls in 1998 and 1999. He joined Wisconsin's strength and conditioning staff as an intern in 2002 before being promoted to an assistant the next year. Herbert shook things up after becoming the head strength coach, introducing position group workouts, innovative competitions and some unique motivational props, including a WWE replica belt and two potted plants.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

When I'm asked to size up the Big Ten heading into the fall, part of the process is easy.

Ohio State and Penn State are the consensus picks to challenge for the league title, while Purdue and Indiana are slotted for the basement. Three nine-win teams from a year ago -- Iowa, Michigan State and Northwestern -- all return a lot on defense but must replace key contributors in the offensive backfield. Michigan once again has questions, but the Wolverines will be better. Wisconsin is Wisconsin, boasting a formidable run game but questions at quarterback.

Then we get to Illinois and Minnesota, the Big Ten's wild cards. As far as unpredictability entering the season, these two squads share the crown. You can make a good case for either team being the surprise of the Big Ten and reaching a January bowl game. Both squads could also crash and burn.

The similarities are intriguing:

• Both teams return veteran quarterbacks in Juice Williams (Illinois) and Adam Weber (Minnesota) who have put up impressive numbers but also struggled with turnovers at times.
  
• Minnesota's Eric Decker and Illinois' Arrelious Benn are far and away the league's top wide receivers, and two of the best in the nation.
  
• Both teams have head coaches (Ron Zook and Tim Brewster) who shine on the recruiting trail but still must prove themselves on game day. The talent is there, but can Zook and Brewster take advantage? Throw in the fact that Brewster played for Illinois and went to a Rose Bowl in 1983, and you've got another link.
• Both teams will challenge themselves in nonleague play. Illinois faces Missouri in St. Louis and must travel to Cincinnati before hosting always-dangerous Fresno State. Minnesota starts the season against Greg Paulus and Syracuse before opening the new TCF Bank Stadium against Air Force and Cal.
  
• Both teams need to replenish their pass rush. Minnesota tied for the league lead in sacks last fall but loses end Willie VanDeSteeg (10.5 sacks). Illinois will be without its top four sacks leaders from 2008, including defensive ends Derek Walker and Will Davis.
  
• Both teams are breaking in new offensive coordinators who want to spark the rushing attack in Illinois' Mike Schultz and Minnesota's Jedd Fisch.

Looking around the league, it's hard to find a more explosive offense than Illinois, but there are plenty of questions on defense. Minnesota returns more starters (18) than any Big Ten team, but has gone through more changes than any league squad other than Purdue.

It makes my head hurt to go through all the possible outcomes for the Illini and Gophers, but they should provide some good theater come September.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Considering what happened to Sirod Williams the last time he suited up at Camp Rantoul, you wouldn't blame the Illinois defensive tackle if he avoided the place at all costs. 

Williams' 2008 season ended before it started last August in Rantoul, as he tore his right ACL during drills. The projected starter underwent surgery and sat out until spring ball. 

Despite the bad memory, Williams will be among the first players to board the team bus Aug. 10 when Illinois makes the short trip from Champaign to Rantoul. 

"I just can't wait," Williams said. "The spring game gave me a little taste. I'm really looking forward to camp this year. And that's a new one."

As a fifth-year senior, Williams has been through the rigors of camp before. But at least he'll be able to hit people, and it beats the summer grind.

"Summertime with the conditioning, it's not my forte," Williams admits.

Most 295-pound defensive linemen would agree.

Illinois is pleased to have all that bulk back in the middle of the defensive line. The team loses starting ends Derek Walker and Will Davis, as well as tackle David Lindquist. 

Williams rejoins what figures to be a very strong rotation of tackles. Corey Liuget performed well as a true freshman, recording five tackles for loss, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Josh Brent also is expected to be reinstated after serving jail time earlier this summer for drunken driving.

"Playing with Corey during the spring game, we really built a little chemistry," said Williams, who appeared in 12 games in 2008, recording a forced fumble and a pass breakup. "I think it will be very good with me, Corey and Josh Brent inside."

Williams participated in limited fashion throughout spring ball and was fully cleared following the Orange and Blue game. Though he still rehabs the knee daily, he has no concerns about pushing himself in Rantoul.

"I've only been hurt playing football like once, so there's really nothing to be worried about," he said. "I think I'll be able to catch on and find a rhythm pretty quickly. The goals are just play to the best of my abilities, don't take any plays off and hopefully, I can get a couple of sacks this year."

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Three predictions for each Big Ten team in 2009, starting with Illinois.

1. Arrelious Benn will double his career touchdown receptions total and then bolt for the NFL -- Benn's lack of touchdown receptions mystifies even him, but the odd trend will change this season. Illinois boasts the Big Ten's best receiving corps, and opponents will be unable to double-team Benn as much as they'd like. Jarred Fayson, Jeff Cumberland and others will open up more opportunities for Benn in the red zone. He'll catch 10-12 touchdown passes and then surprise no one by entering the NFL draft.

2. The Illini will finally beat Missouri -- After dropping four straight in the series, Illinois breaks through this fall behind a superior offense. Missouri's offense has lost key pieces like Chase Daniel, Jeremy Maclin and Chase Coffman, while Illinois returns all of the key pieces around quarterback Juice Williams. Not surprisingly, the game will feature plenty of points, but the Illini prevail in the Edward Jones Dome.

3. Martez masters the middle, but the defense will take time to jell -- Martez Wilson's move to middle linebacker should be a catalyst to get consistent production out of the supremely talented junior. After a rough 2008 season both on and off the field, Wilson will show increased maturity and take a leadership role on defense. But without Brit Miller, Vontae Davis, Derek Walker, Will Davis and others, the unit will struggle early on, much like it did last season.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

As we trudge through the college football Sahara known as June, it's time to examine why you should get excited and anxious about your favorite Big Ten team heading into the summer.

During the coming days I'll list the biggest reason for hope and the biggest reason for concern for all 11 teams. First up, Illinois.

Biggest reason for hope -- A wealth of talent

Despite losing first-round draft pick Vontae Davis, defensive leader Brit Miller and several other contributors, Illinois remains one of the Big Ten's most talented teams. If Ron Zook can effectively develop the heralded recruits he brought to Champaign, Illinois should rebound from an incredibly disappointing 2008 season and reach a decent bowl game. The Illini boast the league's deepest group of wide receivers, led by All-America candidate Arrelious Benn, along with the league's most experienced quarterback in Juice Williams and three solid running backs (Jason Ford, Daniel Dufrene, Mikel LeShoure). Despite some questions up front, this offense should light up the scoreboard. It's time for Zook's recruiting to translate consistently to the win column, and Illinois certainly can make strides with its level of personnel.

Biggest reason for concern -- An unproven defense

Illinois lost key players in all three areas of the defense, especially the front seven. Miller and Davis combined for 210 tackles last year, and Derek Walker and Will Davis teamed up for 9.5 sacks. Like the offensive side, the defense boasts a lot of talent and some experience with linebacker Martez Wilson, cornerback/safety Travon Bellamy, defensive tackles Corey Liuget and Sirod Williams, and others. But none of those players have shouldered as heavy a responsibility as they will this fall. Wilson needs to take a step and become the leader on defense. Tavon Wilson, Bellamy and others need to fill Vontae Davis' production in the secondary. An effective pass rusher or two must emerge. There are enough question marks here to make you worry a bit.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Illinois Fighting Illini 2008 overall record: 5-7 2008 conference record: 3-5 Returning starters Offense: 8; Defense: 6; Special teams: 2 Top returners QB Juice Williams, WR Arrelious Benn, TE Michael Hoomanawanui, WR Chris Duvalt, WR Jeff Cumberland, LB Martez Wilson, DT Cory Liuget, K Matt Eller Key losses LT Xavier Fulton, C Ryan McDonald, LB Brit Miller, DE Will Davis, DE Derek Walker, CB Vontae Davis, LB Rodney Pittman 2008 statistical leaders (* returners) Rushing: Juice Williams* (719 yds) Passing: Juice Williams* (3,173 yds) Receiving: Arrelious Benn* (1,055 yds) Tackles: Brit Miller (132) Sacks: Brit Miller and Derek Walker (6) Interceptions: Vontae Davis (2) 2009 Schedule Sept. 5 Missouri (at St. Louis) Sept. 12 Illinois State Sept. 19 BYE Sept. 26 at Ohio State Oct. 3 Penn State Oct. 10 Michigan State Oct. 17 at Indiana Oct. 24 at Purdue Oct. 31 Michigan Nov. 7 at Minnesota Nov. 14 Northwestern Nov. 21 BYE Nov. 27 at Cincinnati Dec. 5 Fresno State Spring answers 1. Running men -- Illinois can feel optimistic about its ground game after the development of sophomore running backs Jason Ford and Mikel LeShoure this spring. Both players markedly improved their physical conditioning and combined for 93 rush yards on 17 carries in the spring game. They should take the running load off of Juice Williams this season. 2. Man in the middle -- Martez Wilson moved to middle linebacker and could be on the brink of reaching the lofty expectations set for him when he arrived from Chicago's Simeon High School. Wilson adjusted well to the defense's premier position after an up-and-down sophomore season. He also has fully recovered after being stabbed outside a bar in December. 3. Receiver rotation -- The Illini could have the Big Ten's best receiving corps next fall -- by far. Everyone knows about first-team All-Big Ten performer Arrelious Benn, but Illinois boasts depth with Jeff Cumberland, Chris Duvalt and others. The team also adds a big piece in Florida transfer Jarred Fayson, who was practicing with the first-team offense this spring before sustaining a foot injury. Fall questions 1. Line limbo -- Illinois loses three starters from the defensive line and needs to identify a capable pass-rusher after losing its top four sacks leaders from 2008. The tackle spot should be solid with Corey Liuget, Josh Brent and Sirod Williams, who returns from a torn ACL, but there is some doubt at defensive end. Jerry Brown dominated in the spring game, but he must clear some academic hurdles before the fall. 2. Run stoppers -- The Illini really struggled against the run last season and lose top tackler Brit Miller, an All-Big Ten linebacker. They need more help from the back seven, particularly Wilson and safety Donsay Hardeman, who sat out spring drills because of a neck injury. 3. Cornerback -- NFL first-round draft pick Vontae Davis leaves a hole at cornerback, and Illinois will be looking for a top cover man in preseason camp. Tavon Wilson could very well step into Davis' spot, and the sophomore had a nice spring. Davis was not only a playmaker against the ball but a capable tackler, finishing second on the team with 78 stops last year.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The 2009 NFL draft was a fairly forgettable one for the Big Ten, which didn't have a top-10 pick for the first time since 2002 and had fewer first-round picks (4) than the SEC, ACC and Big 12. Michigan didn't have a player drafted until the fourth round (defensive tackle Terrance Taylor), while hoops powerhouse Connecticut already had four players drafted by that point.

The Big Ten had 28 players drafted overall and 15 in the first three rounds, the second-highest total for a league.

Here's the team-by-team breakdown of draft picks, which looks pretty good if you're an Ohio State fan.

OHIO STATE

Picks: 7

• Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, Saints (1st round, No. 14)
• Running back Chris Wells, Cardinals (1st round, No. 31)
• Linebacker James Laurinaitis, Rams (2nd round, No. 35)
• Wide receiver Brian Robiskie, Browns (2nd round, No. 36)
• Cornerback Donald Washington, Chiefs (4th round, No. 102)
• Wide receiver Brian Hartline, Dolphins (4th round, No. 108)
• Linebacker Marcus Freeman, Bears (5th round, No. 154)

PENN STATE

Picks: 5

• Defensive end Aaron Maybin, Bills (1st round, No. 11)
• Wide receiver Derrick Williams, Lions (3rd round, No. 82)
• Wide receiver Deon Butler, Seahawks (3rd round, No. 91)
• Guard Rich Ohrnberger, Patriots (4th round, No. 123)
• Center A.Q. Shipley, Steelers (7th round, No. 226)

IOWA

Picks: 4

• Running back Shonn Greene, Jets (3rd round, No. 65)
• Cornerback Bradley Fletcher, Rams (3rd round, No. 66)
• Guard/tackle Seth Olsen, Broncos (4th round, No. 132)
• Tight end Brandon Myers, Raiders (6th round, No. 202)

WISCONSIN

Picks: 4

• Defensive end Matt Shaughnessy, Raiders (3rd round, No. 71)
• Linebacker DeAndre Levy, Rams (3rd round, No. 76)
• Guard Kraig Urbik, Steelers (3rd round, No. 79)
• Tight end Travis Beckum, Giants (3rd round, No. 100)

ILLINOIS

Picks: 3

• Cornerback Vontae Davis, Dolphins (1st round, No. 25)
• Tackle Xavier Fulton, Buccaneers (5th round, No. 155)
• Defensive end Will Davis, Cardinals (6th round, No. 204)

PURDUE

Picks: 2

• Defensive tackle Alex Magee, Chiefs (3rd round, No. 67)
• Quarterback Curtis Painter, Colts (6th round, No. 201)

MICHIGAN

Picks: 2

• Defensive tackle Terrance Taylor, Colts (4th round, No. 136)
• Cornerback Morgan Trent, Bengals (6th round, No. 179)
  

MICHIGAN STATE

Picks: 1

• Running back Javon Ringer, Titans (5th round, No. 173)

Northwestern, Minnesota and Indiana did not have any players drafted this year.

Notable Big Ten players not drafted included: Iowa defensive tackle Mitch King, Ohio State offensive tackle Alex Boone, Michigan State quarterback Brian Hoyer, Penn State defensive end Maurice Evans, Purdue running back Kory Sheets, Northwestern running back Tyrell Sutton, Wisconsin running back P.J. Hill and Michigan State safety Otis Wiley.

A few final thoughts from the draft.

• Wells entered the 2008 season as a sure-fire top-10 pick, but his injury history dropped his stock a bit. He still ended up in a pretty good spot and should have an excellent pro career if he stays healthy.
• The draft reiterated how bad the Big Ten is at the quarterback spot, with only one signal-caller selected (Painter).
  
• The Giants will get a steal in Beckum if the former All-American stays healthy. I also liked Seattle's move to land Penn State's Butler, a reliable and quick target. The Bears could get a steal at linebacker with Freeman, who would have been the top defender on most college teams.
  
• It will be fascinating to see how Greene and Ringer perform in the pros after carrying their respective college teams last fall.
  
• I was shocked not to see Iowa's King get drafted. He might not fit the NFL "measurables," but he creates havoc in the middle of the defensive line and might have been the Big Ten's defensive MVP last fall.
• As I wrote in November, Northwestern's Pat Fitzgerald and Michigan State's Mark Dantonio deserved Big Ten Coach of the Year honors more than Joe Paterno. Fitzgerald guided Northwestern to a 9-4 mark without a single NFL draftee on his roster, while Dantonio posted the same record with only one draftee (Ringer).
  

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Fighting Illini head coach Ron Zook divided up his team to create more balanced competition in Saturday's Orange and Blue Game, but the score ended up lopsided as the Blue squad shut out the Orange team 20-0 at Memorial Stadium. With first- and second-teamers playing alongside one another in the game, it was a bit hard to evaluate units, though several individuals stood out.

Senior quarterback Juice Williams directed two scoring drives for the Blue team, completing 13 of 26 passes for 150 yards with a 10-yard scoring strike to Chris Duvalt and an interception that freshman linebacker Evan Frierson tipped to himself. High winds hampered Williams a bit, and Zook said the senior threw "a couple of balls that have been his worst of the spring."

Still, Williams shouldn't be a major concern for Illini fans going forward.

The big questions with Illinois come on defense, and there were several bright spots, including the play of Martez Wilson, who likely will stay at middle linebacker after making the switch from the outside this spring. Wilson recorded 4.5 tackles and broke up a pass for the Blue team. According to The (Champaign) News-Gazette, Wilson has been getting advice from former teammates Brit Miller and J Leman on playing middle linebacker.

Other notable items from the Orange and Blue Game:

• No one had a better day on the field than junior defensive end Jerry Brown, who recorded a game-high seven tackles, including six for loss and two sacks. Brown appeared in all 13 games last fall and could assume a greater role after Illinois lost ends Will Davis and Derek Walker. Zook isn't getting too excited about Brown, though, noting that the junior needs to clean up some academic issues for the fall.
  
• Running backs Mikel LeShoure and Jason Ford were undoubtedly the best stories of the spring for Illinois, which can feel much better about its ground attack heading into 2009. Both LeShoure and Ford averaged more than five yards a carry in the spring game, and both Ford and fellow back Daniel Dufrene scored touchdowns.
  
• Don't be surprised if backup quarterback Eddie McGee sees more time at wide receiver this fall. Though Illinois is loaded at receiver, McGee led the Orange team with three receptions for 23 yards in the spring game. He completed 3 of 8 passes for 25 yards and was sacked twice. Redshirt freshman Jacob Charest got more work at quarterback behind Williams.
  
• Illinois and Northwestern announced their new rivalry trophy Saturday. The two teams will compete annually for the Land of Lincoln Trophy, which still must be designed but will coincide with the celebration of Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. The trophy replaces the Sweet Sioux Tomahawk, which was retired in November as part of Illinois' effort to remove all Native American imagery from its athletic teams. I personally was hoping for the Graham-Grange Trophy, but it didn't make the cut.
• Cornerback Tavon Wilson led the Orange team with four tackles and two pass breakups. Wilson could enter the fall as the team's top cover corner. Defensive end Clay Nurse (hello, nurse) added a sack and two tackles for loss.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

On their way to winning a Big East championship last fall, Cincinnati's defensive linemen came up with a motto, which lingers with their former coach. 

"Get sacks, get stacks," Keith Gilmore recalls. "Guys thought that third down was the money down, and we prided ourselves on rushing the quarterback in those situations. And I'll carry a lot of that over."

After coaching a line that led the Big East and ranked ninth nationally in sacks (40), Gilmore took the same position at Illinois, which is looking for better results after a 5-7 season. Fighting Illini head coach Ron Zook dismissed D-line coach Tom Sims and brought in Gilmore, who helped Cincinnati produce a top-20 rush defense last fall.

Zook also had a catchphrase with the defensive line in 2008. Before the season he openly labeled the line the strength of the team, and with good reason.

Despite having several NFL prospects in Will Davis and Derek Walker, Illinois finished ninth in the Big Ten in both rush defense (152.9 ypg) and scoring defense (26.6 ppg). Illinois too often lost the battle at the line of scrimmage, and Zook brought in Gilmore to change things. 

"We really didn't talk about what happened last year," Gilmore said. "He expects me to coach these guys hard and be demanding and confront negative performances and demand that they play well. I'm all for that, so it wasn't a big deal."

Gilmore takes over a group that he admits is young but boasts a few veterans, namely end Doug Pilcher and tackle Sirod Williams, both fifth-year seniors. Another key contributor, tackle Josh Brent, is indefinitely suspended after a DUI arrest in February. 

Pilcher, who recorded 2.5 sacks last fall, has helped Gilmore organize young players during spring practice and even eased Gilmore's transition to a defensive system run by co-coordinators Dan Disch and Curt Mallory.

"If I've got a question on a few techniques or things they've done in the past, he's the guy that I'll bounce those type of things off of," Gilmore said. "He's real mature about it."

Williams returned to the field this spring after tearing his ACL in preseason camp. He's participating in all drills so far but might be limited in contact later this spring.

Also back is sophomore tackle Corey Liuget, who saw significant action as a freshman following Williams' injury and recorded 26 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. 

"In the first day of [spring] practice, he used his hands really well and ran to the football," Gilmore said. "He's a guy who's been coached. All I've got to do is keep trying to polish him up and take him to the next level." 

Gilmore has mentioned Cincinnati's motto from 2008 to his new players, and he expects them to brainstorm their own rallying cry when the season rolls around.

"It's all about what they identify with," Gilmore said. "I'm sure during the course of the spring and summer camp, we'll come up with something. But it's got to mean something to them."  

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Illinois held its annual pro timing day on Wednesday, and eight players participated in drills witnessed by 28 NFL scouts.

It was a good day for the Davises, Vontae and Will, both of whom improved their 40-yard dash times from the NFL combine. Cornerback Vontae Davis ran a blistering 4.35 in the 40, which could boost his draft stock, while defensive end Will Davis ran a 4.83.

Wide receiver Will Judson ran a 4.31 40 on his first attempt, and linebacker Brit Miller, a first-team All-Big Ten selection last year, twice ran a 4.56.

Complete results from pro day will be posted later today on the team's official Web site.

An interesting nugget: former Illinois running back Walter Mendenhall, who transferred to Illinois State, attended Illinois' pro timing day. Mendenhall's younger brother, Rashard, the 2007 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year at Illinois, lashed out at the program last summer, though he said it didn't have much to do with Illinois' treatment of Walter.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

As players filter in and out of football programs, certain position groups become grizzled or green. As the St. Patrick's Day series marches on, it's time to look at the greenest, or least experienced, units on every Big Ten squad heading into 2009.

Illinois' defensive line -- Mainstays Will Davis, Derek Walker and David Lindquist depart, and with Josh Brent's status up in the air, Illinois looks unproven up front.

Indiana's wide receivers -- Leading receiver Ray Fisher switched to cornerback and Andrew Means bolted early for the NFL draft, leaving sophomores and juniors to handle the pass-catching duties this fall.

Iowa's defensive tackles -- Mitch King and Matt Kroul locked down the starting interior line spots for the last four years, and their backups didn't have many opportunities to develop in games.

Michigan's quarterbacks -- Nick Sheridan started four games last fall, but once again the most important position on the field will be one of the greenest for Michigan, as two true freshmen (Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson) vie for the starting job.

Michigan State's running backs -- National carries leader Javon Ringer is gone, and it's likely that a redshirt sophomore (Andre Anderson, Ashton Leggett) or a true freshman (Edwin Baker, Larry Caper) will take his place in the backfield.

Minnesota's running backs -- The Gophers return practically everyone but remain young and unproven after finishing last in the Big Ten in rushing offense (103.8 ypg) last fall.

Northwestern's wide receivers -- Three starters graduate and junior Andrew Brewer hasn't quite settled in at wideout after switching from quarterback, so there are some legit questions here.

Ohio State's offensive line -- Don't be shocked if Ohio State enters 2009 with three sophomores (Mike Brewster, Mike Adams, J.B. Shugarts) and a transfer (Justin Boren) on its starting line.

Penn State's defensive ends -- Jerome Hayes should be back from another knee injury, but Penn State will be on the lookout for a proven pass rusher after losing Aaron Maybin, Maurice Evans and Josh Gaines.

Purdue's wide receivers -- New coach Danny Hope made wide receiver a peak priority in his first recruiting class after losing Greg Orton and Desmond Tardy, who combined for 136 receptions and 1,596 yards last year.

Wisconsin's defensive line -- The Badgers lose three multiyear starters (Matt Shaughnessy, Mike Newkirk and Jason Chapman) and don't return many proven players aside from ends O'Brien Schofield and Dan Moore.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Dave from Brooklyn writes: Actually, i just read Toni Moeki was a junior last year so i think he'll be back. Now, am I the only one who thinks he could be darn good if he stays healthy?

Adam Rittenberg: An Iowa official confirmed that Moeaki will be back for 2009, which could give the Hawkeyes another weapon in an improved receiving corps. Health obviously is the major concern with Moeaki, who just can't catch a break (no pun intended) on that front. I remember seeing him in the 2007 opener against Northern Illinois in Chicago and thinking he could be really good. But then the injuries started to crop up. Moeaki is one of those top recruits from 2005 who hasn't really panned out. If Iowa wants to make a run at the league title, it needs to finally tap the potential from the fifth-year seniors in that heralded class.

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Greg from Washington D.C. writes: Hey Adam, I was wondering if you think Darryl Clark or Evan Royster will get any love in the Heisman race this year or anyone else from Penn State in the years to come. I can't believe Penn State has only one Heisman winner...I think they are due for another one ;) Also with losses at DE do you think PSU will run a 3-4 defense this year? If I'm not mistaken...in the past I saw that PSU liked to put Jerome Hayes on the line in a stand up position...? Keep up the good work!

Adam Rittenberg: Penn State is certainly due, and you have to wonder how a powerhouse program with so much national exposure has produced only one Heisman winner (John Cappelletti). I'm not big on gimmicks, but maybe the program doesn't do enough to promote its star players. It seems very un-Paterno-like. ... OK, onto your question. Daryll Clark could get a sniff for the Heisman if he continues to upgrade his game with a new receiving corps. I love Royster, but Heisman candidates need to get the ball more than 14.7 times a game (as Royster did last fall).

Penn State has some flexibility with Hayes, and Jared Odrick is good enough to play nose tackle, if need be. I would think they'll stick with a 4-3 most of the time, but the strength of the defense is definitely at linebacker and not defensive end.

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Brian from Parts Unknown writes: Do we know why the paraphernalia charge against Mike Adams was dropped, but not against Shugarts?

Adam Rittenberg: Cases get continued all the time for various reasons, but I wouldn't read too much into it, Brian. Garth Cox, the attorney representing both players, said J.B. Shugarts passed a drug test. Cox fully expects the charge to be dropped at Monday's hearing, and given that no trace of drugs was found on the players' pipe, I'd be surprised if the charge wasn't dismissed.

(Read full post)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The official list of players invited to the 2009 NFL scouting combine later in Indianapolis has been finalized. The Big Ten will be sending 46 players to Indianapolis from Feb. 18-24.

Not surprisingly, Penn State and Ohio State led the way with eight participants each, followed by Wisconsin (7), Illinois (5) and Iowa (5). Minnesota is the lone Big Ten team not sending a player to Indy.

Here's the team-by-team rundown.

ILLINOIS (5)

• Cornerback Vontae Davis^
• Defensive end Will Davis
• Tackle Xavier Fulton
• Defensive end Derek Walker

INDIANA (1)

• Wide receiver Andrew Means^

IOWA (5)

• Center Rob Bruggeman
• Cornerback Bradley Fletcher
• Running back Shonn Greene^
• Defensive tackle Mitch King
• Guard Seth Olsen

MICHIGAN (4)

• Long snapper Sean Griffin
• Defensive end Tim Jamison
• Defensive tackle Terrance Taylor
• Cornerback Morgan Trent

MICHIGAN STATE (3)

• Quarterback Brian Hoyer
• Running back Javon Ringer
• Safety Otis Wiley

NORTHWESTERN (1)

• Running back Tyrell Sutton

OHIO STATE (8)

• Tackle Alex Boone
• Linebacker Marcus Freeman
• Wide receiver Brian Hartline^
• Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins
• Linebacker James Laurinaitis
• Wide receiver Brian Robiskie
• Cornerback Donald Washington
• Running back Chris Wells^

PENN STATE (8)

• Wide receiver Deon Butler
• Tackle Gerald Cadogan
• Defensive end Maurice Evans^
• Defensive end Aaron Maybin^
• Wide receiver Jordan Norwood
• Cornerback Lydell Sargeant
• Center A.Q. Shipley
• Wide receiver Derrick Williams

PURDUE (4)

• Defensive end Alex Magee
• Wide receiver Greg Orton
• Quarterback Curtis Painter
• Running back Kory Sheets

WISCONSIN (7)

• Tight end Travis Beckum
• Linebacker Jonathan Casillas
• Running back P.J. Hill^
• Guard Andy Kemp
• Linebacker DeAndre Levy
• Defensive end Matt Shaughnessy
• Guard Kraig Urbik

^--Underclassman

Who got snubbed from the combine? Here are a few names surprisingly left off the list: Illinois center Ryan McDonald, Iowa defensive tackle Matt Kroul, Minnesota punter Justin Kucek, Northwestern defensive tackle John Gill, Penn State guard Rich Ohrnberger, Purdue linebacker Anthony Heygood and Wisconsin cornerback Allen Langford.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Talent certainly wasn't the problem last season in Champaign, and Illinois once again will return several game-changing skill players in 2009. Though Ron Zook must be mindful of impending departures at both quarterback and wide receiver, he can steer his recruiting elsewhere.

Illinois must improve at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. A defensive line that Zook labeled the team's strength before the season underperformed, and Illinois still loses three key contributors in ends Will Davis and Derek Walker and tackle David Lindquist. Sirod Williams returns from a knee injury and Cory Liuget looks like the real deal, but Illinois could use some depth along the defensive line. With a new line coach joining the mix, the front should be the team's top priority.

Jeff Allen emerged as a stud at right offensive tackle, but Illinois also needs to beef up on the offensive line. There's a question mark at center following the graduation of Ryan McDonald, and left tackle Xavier Fulton also departs.

Despite a disappointing 2008 season, Martez Wilson remains Illinois' future at the linebacker position. All-Big Ten standout Brit Miller, Rodney Pittman and Sam Carson all graduate, so adding a linebacker or two wouldn't be a bad idea.

Zook also must prepare for Juice Williams' graduation and will add another quarterback to the mix in Nathan Scheelhaase, who could play a critical role if Eddie McGee doesn't pan out in 2010. The Illini look fine at running back, wide receiver and defensive back, though cornerback Vontae Davis' early departure to the NFL and the likely departure of Arrelious Benn following the 2009 season creates some holes.

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

It won't take long for quarterback Juice Williams and his Illinois teammates to understand one thing about their new offensive coordinator, Mike Schultz.

He's not a local.

If the Texas twang doesn't give it away, he'll drop a "dadgummit" every now and then.

And that's not a bad thing.

The man Schultz is replacing at Illinois, new New Mexico head coach Mike Locksley, wasn't from the area, either. Locksley hailed from Washington, D.C., and created an incredible recruiting pipeline from his hometown to Illinois, one that brought players like Vontae Davis, Arrelious Benn and Will Davis to the heartland.

Illinois' 2008 squad boasted seven players from D.C. and several more from the surrounding area.

Head coach Ron Zook hopes Schultz can create a similar channel between Champaign and the Lone Star State.

"I've been involved in recruiting this state for about the last 20 years," said Schultz, a Houston native who spent the last 11 at TCU. "Realistically, coming in from Illinois, we'll have to make some decisions on where we'll have to anchor in on. ... Listen, I've been in this state a long time. There's a lot of football players in this state. From my understanding, Wisconsin has come in here and got football players out of this state. So has Purdue and things like that.

"I'm fairly confident we'll be able to come in and get into the Texas recruiting and get some good kids."

Schultz's recruiting prowess will be critical as Illinois tries to continue to lure top talent despite a very disappointing 2008 season. The Illini currently have no Texans on the roster.

Though Locksley's schemes spurred the Illinois offense, his greater value was on the recruiting trail. Arguably no single Big Ten assistant made a greater impact on a program that Locksley did at Illinois in recent years. It's a tough act to follow, but Schultz enjoys challenges.

He left a very comfortable situation at TCU and comes to a conference in which he's never coached and an area in which he's never lived. Being able to work for Zook, a "high-energy guy" and an "aggressive recruiter," drew Schultz to the position.

"Change can be very healthy, but it can be scary at times," Schultz said. "I'm treading into some new waters."

Schultz, who spent Tuesday packing up his old office at TCU, admitted his scouting of Williams is limited to "what I've seen on ESPN." But he sees similarities between the Illinois offense, a spread system with some read option, and the one he ran with the Horned Frogs.

"One of the things we were talking about with coach Zook is trying to keep things as consistent as we can keep them for the seniors coming back, Juice and those guys," Schultz said. "I like to spread the ball, there's no doubt, but there's times you've to bunch it up and try to run the ball.

"We've used a tremendous amount of formations to try to create mismatches through movement and motion to give us angles or numbers one way or another."