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Russell Wilson would not be eligible to play this season for Wisconsin -- and indeed might never have left baseball for this opportunity -- if not for an NCAA rule that allows players to transfer and immediately compete if they have already graduated from their original school.

So, yeah, Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema is a fan of the rule.

“This really helps a kid out in this situation,” he said.

But Bielema also has been on the other end of the rule this summer, as senior running back Zach Brown used the provision to transfer to Pittsburgh. Bielema said he didn't want to see Brown go but helped him find a new school.

“I called every program he wanted me to call,” he said, mentioning Miami, Pitt and Miami of Ohio. "If that’s what Zach wanted, that's what I did."

Wilson was only placed in this predicament because NC State coach Tom O'Brien told him not to come back if he didn't abandon baseball in the summer. O'Brien already had another quarterback, Mike Glennon, who had graduated in three years and was free to use the transfer rule.

The SEC will no longer accept graduate transfers who have only one year of eligibility left after Oct. 1. The league got a black eye when Oregon's Jeremiah Masoli used the rule to play right away for Ole Miss after getting kicked off the Ducks for off-the-field problems.

SEC presidents also took steps this summer to curb oversigning, a practice that Big Ten officials deplored. So that and the new graduate transfer restriction led to a good line by Bielema on Tuesday.

"I'm glad the SEC is now taking such a leading role in NCAA proposals," he said. "That’s a very entertaining thing for me to watch.”

Thoughts and prayers go out to Michigan basketball recruit Austin Hatch after Friday's tragedy.

• Russell Wilson makes his decision today, and you can catch it on ESPN's "College Football Live." Former Wisconsin running back Zach Brown finds a home at Pitt, Jerry DiPaola writes in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
• The Columbus Dispatch's Ken Gordon examines several top storylines around the Big Ten.
• Nebraska's recruiting momentum continues with a top O-line prospect, Brian Christopherson writes in the Lincoln Journal Star. The Big Ten actually has gotten the best of Nebraska over time, Mike Hlas writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette.
• An interesting look at Ohio State's outlook without Terrelle Pryor from colleague Josh Cooper (Insider). Ohio State has the resources to have the nation's best compliance department, Bob Hunter writes in The Dispatch.
• Speaking of compliance, Michigan and Michigan State both take it very seriously, Angelique Chengelis writes in The Detroit News.
• Michigan adds its 18th verbal commit in offensive lineman Blake Bars.
• Michigan State adds a running back recruit from Georgia. The Spartans get some insurance at quarterback for the fall, Tom Lang writes in the Detroit Free Press.
• Nebraska AD Tom Osborne weighs in on good friend Joe Paterno, Steven M. Sipple writes in the Lincoln Journal Star. Penn State picks up two commits, including one from a top lineman, Tommy Keeler Jr. writes.
• Terry Hutchens looks at Indiana's prospects for the 2011 season. The Hoosiers' recruiting rolls on with another commitment, Curt Conrad writes in the Mansfield News Journal.
• A look back at Illinois' last Big Ten championship team from a decade ago, Bob Asmussen writes in The (Champaign) News-Gazette. Nothing has come easy for Illinois football in recent years, Herb Gould writes.
• Iowa picks up a punter for its 2012 class, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette. Former Hawkeyes player Cedric Everson receives a week in jail for a 2007 assault.
• Northwestern adds a long-snapper, ESPNChicago.com's Scott Powers writes.

Beginning today, we're going to start ranking each position group in the Big Ten. These rankings will reflect the overall strength at each position, so depth matters as well as individual star power. Following each group ranking, we'll also give out our list of the top individual players at that position.

Let's start out with a look at the running back groups across the Big Ten.

1. Wisconsin: No surprise at the top. Even with John Clay gone and Zach Brown transferring, the Badgers are loaded at tailback. They've still got junior Montee Ball, who finished four yards shy of 1,000 last season with 18 touchdowns, along with reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year James White, who ran for 1,052 yards and 14 touchdowns. Throw in senior fullback Bradie Ewing and redshirt freshman Jeff Lewis, and the Badgers should be powerful on the ground yet again in 2011.

2. Michigan State: Other than Wisconsin, the Spartans have the best collection of experience and talent in the backfield. First-team All-Big Ten performer Edwin Baker ran for 1,201 yards and 13 scores last year. Le'Veon Bell, a 237-pound bruiser, complemented him as a true freshman with 605 yards and eight scores. Larry Caper is a capable veteran, and fifth-year senior Todd Anderson starts at fullback. The Spartans are deep and versatile in their rushing attack.

3. Ohio State: The Buckeyes might have earned a higher ranking if Dan Herron were eligible to play a full season. But with Herron (1,155 yards and 16 scores in '10) suspended for the first five games, Ohio State will need some youngsters to fill his shoes. The good news is that there are plenty of talented candidates. Jaamal Berry is the leading returning rusher outside of Herron, and he averaged 8.3 yards per carry in a limited role last season. Jordan Hall and Carlos Hyde will also battle for more playing time, while redshirt freshman Rod Smith could emerge as the No. 1 tailback after an impressive offseason. Zach Boren is back at fullback. Things may be in flux in Columbus, but you can almost always count on a good running game from the Buckeyes.

4. Nebraska: The Cornhuskers led the Big 12 in rushing last season with 247.6 yards per game on the ground, good for ninth in the FBS. Leading rusher Roy Helu Jr. is gone, but junior Rex Burkhead returns after a 951-yard campaign. He will occasionally line up at receiver or take snaps in the Wildcat. The Cornhuskers lack experience behind him but are expecting big contributions from incoming freshmen Aaron Green and Amer Abdullah. ESPN Recruiting ranked Green as the No. 11 player overall in the Class of 2011.

5. Penn State: Yes, the school's all-time leading rusher has moved on, as Evan Royster graduated. But the Nittany Lions still feel confident about their running game, which should be led by sophomore Silas Redd. He ran for 461 yards and 5.7 yards per carry as a true freshman, showing a physical style. Senior Stephfon Green will be asked to take on a larger role, and Brandon Beachum is back after missing last season with a knee injury. Joe Suhey and Michael Zordich are productive players at the fullback spot.

6. Purdue: The Boilermakers' stock in this chart could go up if Ralph Bolden successfully returns from injury. So far, so good for Bolden, who was a second-team All-Big Ten performer in 2009. Rob Henry led the team in rushing last year with 547 yards, but fullback Dan Dierking graduated. Junior college transfer Akeem Shavers got a lot of carries this spring and should contribute, and Reggie Pegram also is in the mix.

7. Iowa: Running back depth is a serious issue for Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes. Adam Robinson, who would have been the leading returning running back in the Big Ten in terms of yards per game, was dismissed from the team following a December arrest. Marcus Coker could emerge as a superstar, however, after starting four of Iowa's final five games as a true freshman. He was the offensive MVP of the Insight Bowl with 219 rushing yards on 33 carries and has drawn comparisons to former Doak Walker Award winner Shonn Greene. There's virtually no proven experience behind him, though, and three-year starting fullback Brett Morse is no longer around.

8. Michigan: If only we could count Denard Robinson as a running back. Brady Hoke plans to cut down on Shoelace's carries, which means the Wolverines' tailbacks will get more of a chance to shine. The question is who will step up. Senior Michael Shaw and junior Vincent Smith split time as starters last season, while Stephen Hopkins and Michael Cox are in the mix for more carries. Can celebrated recruit Justice Hayes contribute right away?

9. Illinois: Mikel Leshoure's dash to the NFL left the Illini with uncertainty at running back. Senior Jason Ford, the most likely successor, sat out much of spring ball with a hurt knee, while Troy Pollard's promising spring was cut short by a concussion. Incoming freshman Donovonn Young will get a look this fall.

10. Northwestern: Like Nebraska and Michigan, Northwestern relied on its quarterback -- in this case Dan Persa-- for a heavy chunk of the rushing yards. Mike Trumpy came on late in the year as a freshman and solidified his starting spot with a strong spring. Sophomore Adonis Smith, senior Jacob Schmidt and junior Tyris Jones will fight for carries behind him.

11. Minnesota: There was healthy competition at tailback this spring with a mixture of veterans and fresh faces. DeLeon Eskridge led the team last year with 698 rushing yards, while Duane Bennett added 529. They're being pushed by redshirt freshmen Donnell Kirkwood and Lamonte Edwards. New coach Jerry Kill will look to improve on the Gophers' paltry 3.6 yards per carry average last season. This is a group that could make a major move up the rankings.

12. Indiana: New Hoosiers coach Kevin Wilson has a challenge in figuring out this group. Three of the top candidates for the starting tailback job, Darius Willis, Antonio Banks and Xavier Whitaker, all suffered season-ending knee injuries in 2010 and missed spring practice. IU's leading rusher last season finished with just 352 yards. Nick Turner and Matt Perez got the bulk of the reps in the spring. Perhaps Wilson's high-tempo offense will improve the stats for Indiana ball carriers.

There will be a day soon when Ohio State doesn't lead off the links. I promise.

• What do we really know about Terrelle Pryor's quarterbacking skills, anyway? Drew Rosenhaus can yell all he wants, but Ohio State can officially stop caring about Pryor now. What would constitute a successful year for Luke Fickell?
• A simple phone call was all it took to renew the Penn State-Pittsburgh rivalry. The only question about the renewal is why it took so long to happen. Reactions from Penn State fans were mixed.
• How would you like to have this diet? Michigan defensive lineman Craig Roh is eating 5,000 calories per day in an effort to bulk up. "It's terrible," he said. "A couple nights ago, I actually threw up because I ate a 2,000-calorie meal. It was just way too much." Brady Hoke is getting ready for his first summer camp as the Wolverines head coach.
• Former Iowa offensive lineman Josh Koeppel was chosen to play on the U.S. national football team. (There's a U.S. national football team?) DJK's former roommate received probation on drug charges.
• Jairus Jones has a chance to play for Michigan State this year despite tearing his Achilles' tendon in spring practice.
• Bubba Starling's chances of becoming a Major League star may be hit or miss, but there's no guarantee for college quarterbacks, either.
• Wisconsin running back Zach Brown is contemplating a transfer to Pittsburgh, Joe Schad reports.
• Danny Hope talked about how he polices his players during Purdue's coaches caravan.
• Northwestern got a commitment from a Philadelphia-area two-way lineman and a receiver from Missouri.

"My wife won't let me go to Vegas." Trust me, that is not a phone call you want to make to a group of ex-college male cheerleaders. They will mock you with a hurtful rhythmic taunt.

• Big Ten spring meetings notes from colleague Brian Bennett and me, annarbor.com's Michael Rothstein, The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Doug Lesmerises, the Lansing State Journal's Joe Rexrode, the Omaha World-Herald's Lee Barfknecht and The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette's Scott Dochterman and Marc Morehouse.
• The Big Ten's discussion about more financial aid for athletes could lead to a rift between the haves and the have-nots, the Sporting News' Dave Curtis writes. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Jeff Potrykus is skeptical about the Big Ten's idea.
• Ohio State coach Jim Tressel will pay for his own NCAA legal fees. The Buckeyes add a tight end recruit for 2012, Tim May writes in The Columbus Dispatch.
• Penn State assistant Jay Paterno writes that multiple sources are to blame for the NCAA's ever-expanding rulebook. The Lions beef up their 2012 recruiting class, while soft verbal Jarron Jones is considering Michigan, Sam Webb writes in The Detroit News.
• Michigan's Brady Hoke credits his assistants for the team's fast start to 2012 recruiting, Mark Snyder writes in the Detroit Free Press. More good news for the Wolverines as Terry Richardson commits.
• Despite all the noise about Pat Fitzgerald leaving Northwestern, the coach is happy to stay put, CBSSports.com's Brett McMurphy writes. Northwestern adds to its 2012 recruiting class.
• Big Ten Coordinator of Football Officials Bill Carollo breaks down the new cut block rules, Marc Morehouse writes in The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette.
• Nebraska is feeling right at home in its new league, Barfknecht writes.
• The man leading Illinois' search for a new athletic director talks with the Chicago Tribune's Chris Hine. Here's a look at the full search committee.
• Running back recruit Braylon Heard has enrolled at Nebraska.
• The Northwestern-Iowa game could be headed for prime time, Randy Peterson writes in the Des Moines Register.
• The Omaha World-Herald's Sam McKewon ranks the Big Ten helmets.
• Wisconsin running back Zach Brown makes the right call to transfer, Tom Oates writes in the Wisconsin State Journal.
• Former Purdue star Ryan Kerrigan notches another accomplishment -- a hole-in-one. Missed this from the other day, but Purdue is getting new unis this fall, Mike Carmin writes in The (Lafayette) Journal and Courier.
• The Star Tribune's Phil Miller catches up with Minnesota quarterback MarQueis Gray.

Link time.

• In case you've missed any of it, check out ESPN.com's coverage of the Big Ten spring meetings.
• More spring meetings coverage from The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette's Scott Dochterman, the Omaha World-Herald's Lee Barfknecht, the Chicago Tribune's Teddy Greenstein, the Sporting News' Dave Curtis and the Lansing State Journal's Joe Rexrode.
• Ohio State coach Jim Tressel speaks -- but only to intrepid reporter Doug Lesmerises for two minutes in a hotel elevator. Tressel's lawyer for his Committee on Infractions hearing has much more to say, Ken Gordon writes in The Columbus Dispatch. Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany acknowledges the negative attention generated by the Ohio State situation, annarbor.com's Michael Rothstein writes.
• Brandon Ware's academic issues have eventually led the Penn State DT to transfer, Bob Flounders writes in The (Harrisburg) Patriot-News. The Penn State-Pitt rivalry belongs to the past, Steve Heiser writes in The York Dispatch.
• New Hall of Famer Lloyd Carr says the NCAA must crack down on rules enforcement.
• Adam Robinson's mother says the Iowa running back will transfer, Randy Peterson writes in the Des Moines Register.
• Plenty of links on the Ron Guenther era at Illinois from The (Champaign) News-Gazette.
• Nebraska goes 1-1 in Hall of Fame selections, Brian Christopherson writes in the Lincoln Journal Star.
• Former Michigan State receiver Gene Washington heads to the Hall. Spartans coach Mark Dantonio weighs in on several topics, Mark Snyder writes in the Detroit Free Press.
• More on this year's Hall of Fame class from colleague Ivan Maisel.
• Zach Brown's decision to transfer from Wisconsin comes as a bit of a surprise, Jeff Potrykus writes in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

CHICAGO -- A few assorted nuggets from Day 2 of the Big Ten spring meetings at the Palmer House Hilton:

The issue of whether or not the Big Ten should go to a nine-game conference schedule won't get resolved during these meetings. But commissioner Jim Delany said that all the schools are "in principle open to it."

The only holdup, Delany said, is figuring out a way in which every team could still get seven home games each season. And that's up to the league office to determine.

"I really do think the onus is back on us," he said. "We got some scheduling information on the out years, and now we have to be able to put that together in a way that satisfies all 12 athletic directors."

Delany said there's no firm timetable on a decision but that the league is "looking at it now."

• A pair of Big Ten teams announced the loss of running backs on Tuesday.
  
  
  Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said that Adam Robinson, the Hawkeyes' starting tailback and leading rusher the past two seasons, will not return to the program. Robinson had been dismissed from the team following a marijuana arrest in December but remained in school on scholarship hoping for another chance.
  
  
  Wisconsin senior tailback Zach Brown is planning to transfer, head coach Bret Bielema said. Brown, whose best year came when he rushed for 568 yards as a freshman in 2007, was buried behind Montee Ball and James White on the Badgers' depth chart. Because he is on course to graduate this summer, he could become immediately eligible for another team this season.

• Count Pat Fitzgerald among the supporters of embattled Ohio State coach Jim Tressel.
  
  
  The Northwestern coach said he sent Tressel a text message earlier this year that said "Thinking of you ... got your back" as the Buckeyes' leader was dealing with stories of potential NCAA violations. Fitzgerald said he has had a great relationship with Tressel over the years while the two served on various committees together.
  
  
  "More than anything, I tried to let him know I was there and have his back," Fitzgerald said. "He's been unbelievable with me since the moment I had a chance to start a relationship with him, and I've always been thankful for that."

• Purdue coach Danny Hope is willing to go along with whatever the conference wants, but he's in favor of holding the Big Ten title game in Indianapolis for a couple of reasons.
  
  
  "Being from south Florida, I'd rather be under a roof that time of year, but that's just a personal preference," he said. "Certainly, having it close to home under a roof is exciting to me. That part's a no-brainer."

• Hope said the coaches once again discussed the idea of an early signing date in college football at this year's meetings, but that there are still many issues to iron out.
  
  
  "It's a good idea with a lot of merit, but I don't think we're any further this year than we were a year ago," he said. "The one thing about these meetings that's maybe the most intriguing is that we talk about the same things year in and year out."

Wisconsin wrapped up spring practice Saturday with it spring game at Camp Randall Stadium. Coach Bret Bielema shook things up this year and had the first-team offense compete against the starting defense. The defense ended up dominating, holding the offense out of the end zone, and posted a 29-27 victory in a scrimmage that used a modified scoring system.

Let's take a closer look:

Game coverage: Here and here and here and here.

Quotable: "We were without four, possibly five, offensive starters, so the continuity of that group was thrown off a little bit. I really like the offensive line depth we've been able to develop. On the back end, the defensive side, I was really concerned about the safety position, but Shelton Johnson, Aaron Henry and Dezmen Southward are three guys who can really give us some ability that I didn't know was going to be there." -- coach Bret Bielema

Highlights

• It was a rough day for Wisconsin's quarterback position both on and off the field. The Badgers' top three signal-callers -- junior Jon Budmayr, redshirt freshman Joe Brennan and true freshman Joel Stave -- combined to complete just 22 of 61 pass attempts (36.1 percent) for 241 yards with no touchdowns, three interceptions and a fumble. The offense failed to reach the end zone and managed only one scoring drive, resulting in a field goal. Budmayr, the front-runner to be the starter this season, completed 10 of 23 passes for 113 yards with an interception and a lost fumble. "The three guys that got the majority of the reps today aren't anywhere where we need them to be for us to be a competitive team in the fall," Bielema said. "They need to continue to move forward." Bielema revealed after the game that quarterback Curt Phillips, a potential challenger to Budmayr, will miss the 2011 season following his third knee surgery.
• Although the offense played without several starters, the top defense turned in an encouraging performance. The pass rush was solid as ends David Gilbert and Louis Nzegwu both recorded two tackles for loss and a sack. "Our D-line, we're winning," Gilbert said. "As long as we're winning, that’s what matters." Linebacker Marcus Trotter finished an impressive spring with five tackles and a forced fumble, and starting cornerback Devin Smith had an interception and four tackles.
• The run game averaged only 2.6 yards per attempt, although Wisconsin's top two backs had their moments. James White led the way with 47 rush yards on eight carries, including gains of 22 yards and 17 yards. Montee Ball finished with 33 rush yards on eight carries, while third-stringer Zach Brown also had 33 rush yards. "Today probably wasn’t the best performance but we'll be even better come fall," White said. "We have a lot of confidence as an offense. We have a few people banged up and that can mess with things but we're still getting better."
• Kicker Philip Welch had a mixed performance in the game. He went 8-for-8 during two separate kicking segments on attempts between 27-61 yards, hitting from 58 and 61 yards out. But during the team portion of the game, Welch missed attempts from 38, 49 and 52 yards. "He's got to be able to handle the pressure, he's got to be consistent with where we're at," Bielema said.

MADISON, Wis. -- Greetings from Madtown, where it feels more like late fall than late April. Snow and freezing rain are falling. Badger weather.

I'll be spending the day with coach Bret Bielema and the Badgers, who come off of their first Big Ten title and first Rose Bowl appearance in 11 seasons. Wisconsin came up short in Pasadena, a loss that likely still stings around here, but it's time to turn the page.

We'll find out a lot about the Wisconsin program this coming season. No Big Ten team loses more star players than the Badgers, who say goodbye to five All-Americans -- defensive end J.J. Watt, tight end Lance Kendricks, tackle Gabe Carimi, guard John Moffitt and running back John Clay -- in addition to quarterback Scott Tolzien and other standouts. While Wisconsin has proved it can mass-produce running backs and offensive linemen, the team must show it can continue making strides despite the lost production. Bielema and his staff have recruited well as of late, and their player development skills will be put to the test.

Here are some of the items I'll be tracking today:

• Quarterback Jon Budmayr's spring progress. After backing up Tolzien last season, Budmayr seems to have the inside track for the starting job. Curt Phillips is coming off a second ACL surgery, and Joe Brennan has no game experience. Is Budmayr separating himself? If not, what does he need to improve?
• Wisconsin wasn't a lock-down defense in 2010, but the Badgers became a big-play unit and no one made more plays than Watt. Chris Ash takes over as coordinator after upgrading the secondary in his first season with the Badgers. He's looking for contributors this spring. Wisconsin should be solid in the secondary with Aaron Henry, Antonio Fenelus and Devin Smith, but it needs to replace two starting linebackers and Watt, of course. I've heard a lot about the Trotter twins (Michael and Marcus) this spring. How do they factor in the mix and who else is stepping up?
• Like most teams, the Badgers have been at their best when they boast strong leaders. They lose quite a few from the 2010 team, and it'll be interesting to see who is answering the bell along both lines, at linebacker and at the quarterback spot.
• Despite losing Clay and three starting offensive linemen, Wisconsin's run game should once again be scary good this fall. No Big Ten player improved more throughout the season than Montee Ball, and Wisconsin also returns reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year James White. Fifth-year senior Zach Brown also has re-entered the mix. It'll be good to check in with the backs and see how they're doing this spring.

More to come from Badger country. Stay tuned.

After Saturday's scrimmage, Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema described Zach Brown as an "angry back."

The comment surprised Brown.

"That was an interesting quote," Brown told me this week. "I've never been referred to as an angry back. I think he's just saying I came out with high intensity, a high motor and just playing hard every play."

It was easy to forget about Brown in 2010 as Wisconsin's rushing attack surged behind the triumvirate of John Clay, James White and Montee Ball. Brown, who started the final four games of his true freshman season way back in 2007, opted to redshirt last fall so he could focus on his academics and get his knee tendonitis under control.

He's back on the field this spring, and though Wisconsin returns two potential All-Big Ten backs in Ball and White, the fifth-year senior from Royal Palm, Fla., isn't fading into the backdrop. Brown stood out in last week's scrimmage and hopes to take a chunk of the carries this fall.

"Going into the spring knowing you’re going to get time in the fall, you know you’ve got to compete and take these reps seriously," he said. "I'm feeling good. I haven't felt this good in a while."

It was a different story in preseason camp, as Brown got lost in a crowded group of backs.

"I had a real bad case of tendonitis, and I wasn't competing how I wanted to," he recalled. "There were four of us going in and it was high intensity, and I felt like I couldn't reach the [same] intensity as the other backs. It was just hard."

It didn't get much easier for Brown as he watched games from the sideline. He saw Wisconsin surge to the Rose Bowl on the strength of its run game.

But as White showed in August and Ball showed in October and November, Wisconsin's competition at running back never stops. If you elevate your game, you'll get on the field.

Former Badgers running backs coach John Settle preached that approach, and his successor Thomas Hammock hasn't changed it.

"Coach Hammock brought that mentality in, like, 'What have you done for me lately?'" said Brown, who added some mass during the winter and checks in at 219 pounds this spring. "So there's no more thinking about what you did last year."

That's good news for Brown, who had no statistics from 2010 but rushed for 1,152 yards and 11 touchdowns from 2007-09.

"I just want to say when it's all said and done," Brown said, "that my last year, I was the best back I could be."

He's well on his way.

The Big Ten featured only one spring game this weekend, but plenty of teams took to the field for scrimmages. I've compiled some scrimmage highlights from around the league based on reports from official team websites and other media sources. Several teams didn't provide specifics about their scrimmages, but I included what I could find.

ILLINOIS

The Illini scrimmaged for about 90 minutes Saturday, and all players were involved in contact aside from starting quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase.

Notes

• The offense prevailed in the scrimmage and gashed the defense for several big runs. Troy Pollard took most of the reps at running back as Jason Ford sat out with a sore knee, and Pollard helped his cause with 110 rush yards on 19 carries. Scheelhaase completed 7 of 12 passes for 53 yards and added 58 yards on the ground, while backup Miles Osei had a 63-yards pass to Fred Sykes and finished the day with 165 yards through the air.
• Coach Ron Zook singled out linebacker Houston Bates for his play in the scrimmage. Bates had a sack and a quarterback hurry. He saw increased playing time after Jonathan Brown was kicked out of the scrimmage after throwing a punch and drawing a personal foul penalty.

INDIANA

The Hoosiers held their second scrimmage of the spring Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Check out coach Kevin Wilson's thoughts as well as some highlights.

Notes

• The offense got the best of the defense Saturday after the D shined in Indiana's previous scrimmage. Receivers Duwyce Wilson and Kofi Hughes stood out in the highlights Indiana showed on its website, as Hughes had a long touchdown reception and Wilson was forced out just shy of the goal line. Both players have been impressive this spring and should complement top wideout Damarlo Belcher in the fall.

IOWA

No official information from Iowa's scrimmage Saturday, but here's a photo gallery and some recent player interviews from the team's website.

MICHIGAN

No official information from Michigan's scrimmage Saturday, but here are video interviews with defensive tackle Mike Martin and offensive lineman Patrick Omameh. Running backs Vincent Smith, Michael Cox and Stephen Hopkins had some nice runs in the video highlights.

MICHIGAN STATE

The Spartans held their first jersey scrimmage Friday and the defense prevailed 55-45 in a modified scoring system. The defense had 18 ways to score points, while the offense had 11 ways to score, including touchdowns and field goals.

Notes

• The defense dominated the scrimmage, holding the offense without a first down on the first five possessions and without points for the first 13 possessions. Michigan State's D recorded three sacks and two interceptions during the stifling stanza. The only two touchdowns scored came during the goal line and red zone portions of the scrimmage.
• Defensive ends William Gholston and Tyler Hoover combined for nine tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack and a pass breakup. Sophomore linebacker TyQuan Hammock recorded an interception. "The defense played well -- tackled effectively, pressured the quarterback and came away with some turnovers," coach Mark Dantonio said in a news release.
• Starting quarterback Kirk Cousins had a rough day (6-for-16 passing, 41 yards, INT), although he didn't get much help from his receivers, who dropped three passes. Backup Andrew Maxwell completed 15 of 26 passes for 116 yards with an interception.
• The touchdowns came from Edwin Baker (22-yard run) and Le'Veon Bell (6-yard run). Receiver Keith Mumphery caught a 43-yard pass from Maxwell.

MINNESOTA

The Gophers scrimmaged Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium and ran about 120 plays.

Notes

• Minnesota's defense held the upper hand as the offense struggled to gain a first down early in the scrimmage. The defensive line had a very good day as tackles Brandon Jacobs and Brandon Kirksey both stood out. Jacobs sacked No. 1 quarterback MarQueis Gray and Kirksey recorded a blocked field goal attempt. Ends D.L. Wilhite and Ra'Shede Hageman also made some plays. "The defensive line got up the field a lot more than we have been. [It was] a lot more aggressive," coach Jerry Kill told reporters. "And we need that. We need more push. We had nine sacks last year, and that can't happen."
• Gray and top receiver Da'Jon McKnight hooked up on receptions of 45 and 20 yards. McKnight also recorded a punt block in the scrimmage.
• Reserve quarterback Tom Parish threw two interceptions and fumbled a snap. Moses Alipate ran a few series at quarterback and led a scoring drive.

NEBRASKA

The Huskers ran about 150 plays in a scrimmage Saturday in Lincoln. Quarterbacks Brion Carnes, Cody Green and Kody Spano took most of the reps and drew praise from coach Bo Pelini.

• The coaches limited reps for quarterback Taylor Martinez after the sophomore hurt his toe in a recent workout. Running back Rex Burkhead participated in the scrimmage and "looked great," according to Pelini, although Burkhead's reps were limited as well.
• Nebraska had two false-start penalties and one fumble during the scrimmage. "That's not bad," Pelini said. "Most of it is with the young guys. It shows me the emphasis is working and there's progress, but one's too many as far I'm concerned."

NORTHWESTERN

The Wildcats scrimmaged Saturday in Evanston in preparation for this week's spring game.

Notes

• Top running back Mike Trumpy had runs of 33 and 25 yards, while Tyris Jones added a scoring run. Jones has had a really nice spring for the Wildcats, who are looking for more options in the backfield.
• Trevor Siemian and Evan Watkins took the reps at quarterback as Kain Colter was held out of the scrimmage. Siemian completed 8 of 12 passes for 86 yards with an interception, while Watkins, victimized by dropped passes, completed 8 of 21 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown strike to Charles Brown.
• Defensive end Tyler Scott picked off Siemian on the second play of the scrimmage. Siemian later responded with a 36-yard pass to Rashad Lawrence. Demetrius Fields led the receivers with five receptions, while walk-on Torin Dupper had three catches for 46 yards.

OHIO STATE

The Buckeyes held a special-teams scrimmage followed by a full jersey scrimmage Saturday in Ohio Stadium. The team went through about 20 possessions and the offense prevailed 56-45.

• Receiver DeVier Posey recorded two touchdown receptions, a 33-yarder from Joe Bauserman and an 8-yarder from Taylor Graham. Freshman quarterback Braxton Miller had the only other touchdown of the scrimmage on an 11-yard run.
• Bauserman completed passes of 33 and 16 yards and also threw an interception on a pass tipped by defensive lineman John Simon. Graham completed 10 of 20 passes for 80 yards, while Miller hit on 4 of 6 passes for 43 yards and looked impressive on the touchdown run. Kenny Guiton struggled at quarterback, leading the offense to only one score (field goal) in six possessions.
• Posey recorded five receptions for 83 yards and two scores, while the other scholarship wideouts combined for only five receptions. Think Ohio State will miss No. 8 in the first five games?
• Senior running back Dan Herron didn't get much work Saturday, and Jaamal Berry and Rod Smith stood out among the backs with several nice gains.
• Defensive linemen Adam Bellamy and Melvin Fellows both recorded sacks, while other defensive standouts included cornerback Travis Howard and linebacker Etienne Sabino.

PENN STATE

The Lions scrimmaged Saturday, but there's not much info out there aside from this (must pay for content).

WISCONSIN

The Badgers held a scrimmage Saturday, running more than 120 snaps, and coach Bret Bielema shares his thoughts here.

• Sophomore linebacker Conor O'Neill had a big day with interceptions on back-to-back plays, picking off Joe Brennan and Joel Stave. Wisconsin auditioned O'Neill at safety last year, and his experience defending the pass is paying off.
• Bielema said center Peter Konz will miss the rest of the spring because of ankle and knee injuries. Konz will undergo minor knee surgery and should be fine for fall camp. Versatile sophomore Ryan Groy is seeing time at center and can play all three interior line spots.
• Remember Zach Brown? The running back is still around in Madison and hopes to enter a crowded backfield this fall. Brown had a 17-yard touchdown reception and an 8-yard scoring run Saturday. "Zach is an angry running back," Bielema told reporters. "Everybody wants to talk about those other guys. People forget he ran for 200 yards [in a game] as a freshman, and he has won some games for us."

Like most standout players for Florida prep powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas, James White had options for college, and good ones.

The running back could have picked a place and shot to the top of the depth chart as soon as he set foot on campus.

"I probably would have had more playing time [elsewhere], but I wasn't really looking for something like that," White said. "I wanted to go somewhere where I could earn my way to the [top] spot."

He got his wish by choosing to play for Wisconsin.

The Badgers were bringing back John Clay, the 2009 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, as well as veteran reserve Zach Brown and promising sophomore Montee Ball, who backed up Clay at times in 2009. When White arrived for camp in August, he seemed destined for a redshirt season.

After practices started, it became clear White would have none of that.

He surged to No. 3 on the depth chart with an impressive preseason performance. White would be playing in 2010, while Brown, a senior, is the running back planning to redshirt.

White had 11 carries for 59 yards in the season opener at UNLV, as Wisconsin rotated its top three backs. He also caught three passes for 37 yards.

"I didn't expect it," White said of his rapid rise. "I really didn't know what was going to happen. If I had to wait my turn, I didn't have a problem with that."

Coach Bret Bielema knew what he had in White from a speed and athleticism standpoint, but the freshman also showed excellent instincts early in camp. White admitted the blocking assignments were tough at first, but he picked it up by the end of the preseason. He also showed potential on special teams and is listed as the team's No. 2 punt returner behind David Gilreath.

At 5-10 and 198 pounds, White doesn't fit the mold at Wisconsin, which has produced big backs like Clay, P.J. Hill and former Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne. He looks like a mascot next to Clay (6-1, 255) and Ball (5-11, 236).

And that's why he complements them so well.

"I'd probably describe it as first, second and third gear," Bielema said. "John is a first-down back that can give you a little bit of everything. He's got a power, he does a great job of hitting it up inside, and also has the ability to break it away. Montee is maybe a little bit more on the speed-oriented side, although he can hit it up inside and has been good for us on second and third down.

"And then James is your third-gear guy. He's definitely the fastest of the crew, very shifty, very capable of making guys miss. Even if you don't block a guy and there's still guys standing free, you’re not necessarily going to tackle him."

Informed he's being called Wisconsin's third gear, White laughs. But he doesn't deny it.

"They call me a change-of-pace guy," he said. "I'm probably a step or two quicker than both Montee and Clay. I'll come in and loosen them up, and then they come in and pound 'em.

"It's a great combination."

Welcome to National Depth Chart Day. No day on the college football calendar inspires more curiosity about depth charts than the Monday before the season, when most teams release their Week 1 two-deeps.

(And then there's Purdue, which didn't include a depth chart in its game notes for Notre Dame. Ugh.)

I've had the chance to review depth charts from those programs that released them today -- two-deeps from Illinois, Michigan State and Minnesota are coming soon -- and I checked in on several coaches' news conferences.

Here's what stood out:

INDIANA

• Even though Indiana will shift to a 3-4 defensive alignment this year, the depth chart lists a 4-3 with Darius Johnson and Fred Jones as the starting ends and Chad Sherer and Tyler Replogle flanking junior college transfer Jeff Thomas at linebacker.
• Interesting to see several veteran offensive linemen like Justin Pagan and Cody Faulkner listed as backups rather than starters. Junior Andrew McDonald steps into some big shoes at left tackle as Rodger Saffold departs to the NFL.
• The backup quarterback job remains open, as Dusty Kiel and Edward Wright-Baker are both listed as No. 2 behind Ben Chappell.
• Indiana expects big things from redshirt freshman Duwyce Wilson, listed as a starter at wide receiver, kick returner and punt returner.

IOWA

• Sophomores Micah Hyde and Greg Castillo are listed as the starting cornerbacks. Shaun Prater doesn't appear on the depth chart after dealing with a leg injury in camp. Prater hasn't been officially ruled out for the Eastern Illinois game, but I wouldn't expect to see much of him on Saturday.
• James Ferentz is listed as the starting center, a spot where Iowa might be a little thin following Josh Koeppel's motorcycle accident Monday morning.
• Starting defensive end Broderick Binns is suspended for the opener, so Christian Ballard is listed as a possible starter at both end and tackle. Mike Daniels and Lebron Daniel are the next options behind Ballard.

MICHIGAN

• Sophomores Denard Robinson and Tate Forcier and freshman Devin Gardner are listed as co-starters at quarterback. Head coach Rich Rodriguez reiterated Monday that Gardner won't redshirt this fall.
• Vincent Smith and Michael Shaw are listed as co-starters at running back, with Michael Cox behind them.
• True freshman Carvin Johnson is listed as the starter at the spur position (safety/linebacker). Pretty big surprise here, and a testament to Johnson's work in camp.
• Senior James Rogers steps into Troy Woolfolk's starting cornerback spot opposite J.T. Floyd.
• Receivers Martavious Odoms and Kelvin Grady clearly showed enough in camp to be listed as starters or possible starters against Connecticut.

NORTHWESTERN

• Sophomore running back Arby Fields returned to practice Monday and wore a no-contact jersey after being sidelined with a shoulder problem. He's listed as a co-starter at running back with Jacob Schmidt and Stephen Simmons. Northwestern wanted a clear No. 1 running back to emerge in camp, but Fields' injury changed the plan.
• Junior Bryce McNaul is listed as the third top linebacker alongside returning starters Quentin Davie and Nate Williams. McNaul won the job in camp.
• Venric Mark is the only true freshman listed on the depth chart, both as a backup wide receiver and a co-starter at punt returner. I'll go out on a huge limb (sarcasm) and predict Mark will be the man on returns for the Wildcats very shortly.

OHIO STATE

• Junior defensive end Nathan Williams, a projected starter, will miss the Marshall game with a knee injury. He should be back shortly thereafter. Solomon Thomas will start in Williams' spot Thursday night.
• Starting cornerback Chimdi Chekwa (hamstring) is questionable for the Marshall game, but corner Devon Torrence (hamstring) should be fine.
• Sophomore C.J. Barnett's strong performance in camp lifted him ahead of Orhian Johnson on the Week 1 depth chart. Johnson missed a chunk of camp with an injury.
• Start salivating, Buckeyes fans, because running backs Jordan Hall and Jaamal Berry likely will handle kickoff returns against Marshall.

PENN STATE

• Sophomores Kevin Newsome and Matt McGloin and freshman Robert Bolden are listed as co-starters at quarterback for the Youngstown State game.
• Sophomore Devon Smith's strong camp landed him a starting spot at both receiver and kick returner, and a backup role on punt returns.
• Redshirt freshman Garry Gilliam is listed as the starting tight end, as Andrew Szczerba likely will miss the opener with a back injury. Penn State obviously is thin here after losing Andrew Quarless and Mickey Shuler.
• Veterans Nate Stupar, Chris Colasanti and Bani Gbadyu are listed as the starting linebackers, with promising younger players like Michael Mauti and Gerald Hodges right behind them.

WISCONSIN

• After a very impressive camp, freshman running back James White appears at No. 3 on the depth chart behind both John Clay and Montee Ball. White also is the No. 2 punt returner behind David Gilreath. His emergence likely will result in veteran Zach Brown redshirting the season.
• Senior Blake Sorensen likely will start at outside linebacker, as Mike Taylor continues to rehab after undergoing a second procedure on his knee in camp. Culmer St. Jean and Chris Borland are listed as the other starting linebackers.
• The starting cornerback spots remain open, as Niles Brinkley, Antonio Fenelus and Devin Smith will compete in practice this week.

Scrimmages took center stage around the Big Ten this weekend as teams moved closer to the end of camp and the start of game preparations. I have links and a few thoughts on each scrimmage below, but only on the teams that put out information about what happened or had media in attendance. Those teams are: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State and Wisconsin.

I'll do my best with Michigan's scrimmage, which oddly was open to fans but not media.

ILLINOIS

The Illini broke camp in Rantoul, Ill., and scrimmaged Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Check out what happened here and here and here and here.

Quick hitters

• Illinois' coaches can talk all they want about running back by committee, but it's clear that junior Mikel Leshoure is the team's top option. As he did throughout the second half of last season, Leshoure showcased his big-play ability Saturday with a 49-yard touchdown run. Leshoure finished with 102 rush yards and two scores on only 12 carries. Jason Ford also had a nice day Saturday, but Leshoure is the guy to watch out for this fall.
• After struggling in the first camp scrimmage, Illinois' first-team defense rebounded nicely Saturday. According to Mark Tupper, the first-team defense allowed only 59 net yards in 41 plays in the scrimmage. Defensive end Michael Buchanan and linebacker Martez Wilson were among the standouts.
• Although starting quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase had a shaky day, Illinois might have found another capable wide receiver in Eddie McGee, the team's former backup quarterback. McGee beat cornerback Miami Thomas on a jump ball in the end zone to record a touchdown and finished with three receptions for 56 yards.

INDIANA

The Hoosiers held a 96-play Saturday at Memorial Stadium, and you can read all about it here, here (subscription required) and here.

Quick hitters

• Redshirt freshman Dusty Kiel has established himself as the team's backup quarterback in camp. Kiel, who has been competing with Edward Wright-Baker, had an excellent scrimmage, completing 14 of 16 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown.
• Indiana used the scrimmage to assess its offensive line depth and limited the participation for sure-fire starters like center Will Matte and right tackle James Brewer. Coach Bill Lynch wanted to get a better read on his backup center and had Jordan Marquette, Chris Ahlfeld and Steve Fiacable take reps in the scrimmage. Ted Bolser stepped up nicely at tight end with five catches for 46 yards and a touchdown.
• The Hoosiers' already-shaky secondary suffered a blow as safety Chris Adkins had to be carried off the field because of an ankle injury. The extent of Adkins' injury is unclear at this point.

MICHIGAN

Michigan held a scrimmage Saturday at Michigan Stadium. It was open to some fans but not media, and while I love fan reports, I'm relying mostly on this video from the school's official website.

• I really like what I've seen from freshman running back Stephen Hopkins, both in Saturday's scrimmage and during the Big Ten Network's tour stop. He gives the Wolverines a different look in the backfield at 6-foot, 227 pounds. Michigan boasts plenty of speed backs, but Hopkins provides the type of downhill, between-the-tackles running you need in the Big Ten.
• Quarterback Denard Robinson looked pretty smooth in the scrimmage video, both as a passer and a runner. He hit his receivers in stride and broke off a long touchdown run, juking safety Jared Van Slyke before reaching the end zone. All signs continue to point toward Robinson being named the starter, but we'll see.

MICHIGAN STATE

The Spartans held a 130-play controlled scrimmage Saturday at Spartan Stadium, closed to the media. The defense prevailed 45-32 as the team used a modified scoring system. Recaps can be found here and here.

Quick hitters

• It was a good day for the defense and a great day for the linebackers, who should be Michigan State's strongest unit this fall. Eric Gordon recorded a scrimmage-best nine tackles, while Greg Jones added eight, including two for loss. Jon Misch had 2.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry, and Chris Norman had six tackles and a pass breakup. "The linebackers were very active," coach Mark Dantonio said.
• Wide receiver B.J. Cunningham is having a very strong camp, and he continued it Saturday with five receptions for 67 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown from Kirk Cousins. Cousins and Cunningham hooked up for two touchdowns in the team's first fall scrimmage. It's a pretty crowded mix at receiver, but Cunningham has put himself in a great position.

MINNESOTA

Minnesota held an open scrimmage Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium, and you can read all about it here, here and here.

Quick hitters

• Minnesota's first-string offensive line stepped up nicely in the scrimmage, keeping quarterback Adam Weber safe and allowing him to complete 7 of 9 passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns. There was, however, a significant drop-off when the second- and third-team offensive linemen entered the scrimmage. "I didn't feel like some of the [second and third team] took advantage of the opportunity to go play today," coach Tim Brewster told the (St. Paul) Pioneer Press.
• Freshman running back Donnell Kirkwood has put himself in the mix for carries this fall alongside Duane Bennett and DeLeon Eskridge. Kirkwood had 19 carries in Saturday's scrimmage with a long run of 14 yards. Offensive coordinator Jeff Horton praised Kirkwood when we talked a few weeks ago.
• MarQueis Gray is still getting reps as a reserve quarterback, but it's coming clear his primary role this fall will be at wide receiver, as long as Weber stays healthy. Gray seems to be embracing the change, and his big frame could really help the Gophers after the loss of Eric Decker. "I am pretty sure I can find a hole somewhere to catch the ball and get upfield for Weber when he throws it to me," he told the Star Tribune.

NORTHWESTERN

The Wildcats ended their off-campus training in Kenosha, Wis., with an open scrimmage. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald held out a large group of starters on both sides, so second- and third-teamers got most of the work. Recaps can be found here and here.

Quick hitters

• Freshman receiver Venric Mark will make an immediate impact this fall, especially for Northwestern's middling return teams. Mark had an excellent scrimmage, recording a 28-yard touchdown catch and breaking off several big returns. Generously listed at 5-8 and 165 pounds, Mark also threw a block that helped classmate Adonis Smith reach the end zone.
• A battle could be brewing at backup quarterback. As starter Dan Persa watched from the sideline, true freshman Trevor Siemian completed 10 of 13 passes for 112 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Siemian could push redshirt freshman Evan Watkins, who completed only four of seven passes.
• Freshman defensive end Will Hampton could work his way into the rotation this fall. Hampton recorded a tackle for loss in the scrimmage.

OHIO STATE

Ohio State held its jersey scrimmage Saturday at Ohio Stadium, as the offense prevailed 54-48 after 130-140 plays. The scrimmage was open to the media, and you can find recaps here, here and here.

Quick hitters

• Quarterback Terrelle Pryor had a so-so day, although he wore a no-contact jersey and couldn't be the running threat he'll be after Sept. 4. Pryor completed only 10 of 24 pass attempts but did fire a 25-yard touchdown strike to Taurian Washington, considered the front-runner for the No. 3 wide receiver spot. He also found tight end Jake Stoneburner for a 25-yard gain and nearly threw an interception in the end zone.
• Andrew Sweat appears to have a slight edge on Etienne Sabino for the third starting linebacker spot. Sabino entered camp as the favorite to start, but Sweat logged more time with the first-team defense Saturday and recovered a Brandon Saine fumble.
• Coach Jim Tressel said he hopes to get defensive end Nathan Williams (knee) back by the Sept. 2 opener against Marshall. Meanwhile, several young defensive linemen stood out Saturday. Redshirt freshman Adam Bellamy recorded three sacks and true freshman Johnathan Hankins added one.

WISCONSIN

The Badgers scrimmaged Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium. The session was open to the media, and you can read all about it here and here.

• Wisconsin's offense moved the ball decently but struggled to finish drives, as Antonio Fenelus picked off a Scott Tolzien pass and safety Aaron Henry broke up a pass in the end zone. It was a theme throughout the scrimmage. There's little doubt Wisconsin can control the clock and keep moving the chains with its balanced attack, but it must execute in the red zone.
• Freshman running back James White had a good day and could push Zach Brown for the No. 3 spot on the depth chart. White had runs of 29, 26 and 22 yards, the last for a touchdown, in the scrimmage. Starting tailback John Clay, by the way, had 11 carries for 51 yards.
• Backup quarterback Jon Budmayr had a tough scrimmage, going 0-for-9 passing on his first three series with two near interceptions. He finished 9-for-27 for 107 yards for a touchdown and an interception. Wisconsin really can't lose Tolzien and would get a big boost if Curt Phillips can return from his knee injury early in the season.

The position rankings march on with one of the Big Ten's strongest units: running backs and fullbacks. I looked not only at featured backs like John Clay and Evan Royster, but also tried to identify teams with more than one solid option in the backfield.

1. Wisconsin: Everyone knows about Clay, the 2009 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and a fringe Heisman Trophy candidate entering the fall. But the Badgers also boast good depth here with promising sophomore Montee Ball and veteran Zach Brown. Ball had 98 rushing attempts as a freshman, and he and Brown combined for seven touchdown runs.

2. Penn State: I'm tempted to put Penn State at the top, since the Lions' overall depth at running back could surpass Wisconsin's by the end of the season. Royster enters his third year as the starter and will become Penn State's all-time leading rusher barring injury. Junior Stephfon Green is waiting in the wings after rushing for 319 yards in 2009. Brandon Beachum also returns, and Penn State is excited about freshmen backs Silas Redd and Curtis Dukes. Joe Suhey is an experienced fullback.

3. Ohio State: There might not be a true featured back in Columbus yet, but Ohio State boasts more depth at running back than any Big Ten team. Senior Brandon Saine and junior Dan Herron once again top the depth chart, and Saine has a chance to emerge as the team's go-to runner. Behind them is Jordan Hall, who showed some flashes last fall, and heralded recruit Jaamal Berry looks ready after dealing with leg problems in 2009. Freshman Carlos Hyde has looked good in practice, and the Buckeyes have two good fullbacks in Zach Boren and Adam Homan.

4. Illinois: The Illini boast one of the league's best 1-2 punches at running back in juniors Mikel Leshoure and Jason Ford. The coaches maintain that the two likely will share carries, but Leshoure certainly looked like a featured back toward the end of last season. Both Leshoure and Ford averaged more than 6 yards a carry in 2009, and they complement each other well in the offense. Don't forget about Justin Green and Troy Pollard, two solid reserves.

5. Iowa: The Brandon Wegher situation and a clavicle injury to freshman Marcus Coker have raised concerns about the group, but Adam Robinson and Jewel Hampton still provide two solid options. Hampton had an excellent freshman season in 2008 and will be very effective if healthy this fall. Robinson grew up fast in 2009 and showed tremendous toughness in his quick recovery from a high ankle sprain. If Wegher returns to the team, Iowa has three capable ball carriers.

Up next: Wide receiver/tight end

More rankings ...

• Defensive line
• Linebacker
• Secondary
• Offensive line