The Big Ten player rankings, based on past performance and potential impact for the 2011 season, have reached their zenith. So who enters the fall as the league's No. 1 player? ...
No. 1: Jared Crick, DT, Nebraska, Sr., 6-6, 285
2010 numbers: Started all 14 games; led Huskers in both sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (17); ranked second in the Big 12 in sacks and fifth in tackles for loss; recorded 70 tackles (36 solo), which led all Big 12 defensive linemen; had one forced fumble, 10 quarterback hurries and two pass breakups
Why he's here: A Big Ten defensive lineman has finished No. 1 in the postseason player rankings in each of the past two seasons: Michigan's Brandon Graham (2009) and Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan (2010). The Big Ten had five defensive linemen selected in the first round of April's NFL draft. While positions like quarterback, running back and even linebacker have endured some ups and downs, the Big Ten has consistently produced nationally elite defensive linemen. It's a pretty good bet the trend will continue in 2011.
Crick isn't ranked No. 1 solely because he plays defensive line, but it certainly doesn't hurt his case. The Nebraska senior is a beast on the interior, recording 9.5 sacks in each of the past two seasons to go with 32 tackles for loss -- huge numbers for a defensive tackle. He's not simply a space eater and consistently harasses opposing quarterbacks, recording 26 hurries in the past two seasons. While some will compare Crick with his good friend and former teammate Ndamukong Suh, he's a different type of player who can have a similar impact on games.
A unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection last year after earning second-team honors in 2009, Crick was a second-team AP All-American and surprised many when he bypassed the NFL draft to return for his final season. He enters the 2011 season on most All-America lists. He needs 10.5 sacks to set the Nebraska team record and, barring injury, will finish his career with more than 40 games started. Crick anchors arguably the Big Ten's top defensive line and thinks Nebraska has what it takes to win the league and compete for a national title.
Some might be surprised to see a Big Ten newcomer ranked No. 1 on the countdown, but Crick is the real deal.
Previously
No. 25: Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin
No. 24: Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State
No. 23: Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa
No. 22: Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa
No. 21: Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, Illinois
No. 20: John Simon, DL, Ohio State
No. 19: Ricardo Allen, CB, Purdue
No. 18: Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
No. 17: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
No. 16: Derek Moye, WR, Penn State
No. 15: Jeremy Ebert, WR, Northwestern
No. 14: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
No. 13: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
No. 12: David Molk, C, Michigan
No .11: Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
No. 10: Mike Martin, DT, Michigan
No. 9: Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State
No. 8: Riley Reiff, LT, Iowa
No. 7: James White, RB, Wisconsin
No. 6: Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
No. 5: Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
No. 4: Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State
No. 3: Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern
No. 2: Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan
Previously
No. 25: Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin
No. 24: Michael Mauti, LB, Penn State
No. 23: Marvin McNutt, WR, Iowa
No. 22: Shaun Prater, CB, Iowa
No. 21: Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, Illinois
No. 20: John Simon, DL, Ohio State
No. 19: Ricardo Allen, CB, Purdue
No. 18: Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin
No. 17: Mike Adams, OT, Ohio State
No. 16: Derek Moye, WR, Penn State
No. 15: Jeremy Ebert, WR, Northwestern
No. 14: Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State
No. 13: Alfonzo Dennard, CB, Nebraska
No. 12: David Molk, C, Michigan
No .11: Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
No. 10: Mike Martin, DT, Michigan
No. 9: Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State
No. 8: Riley Reiff, LT, Iowa
No. 7: James White, RB, Wisconsin
No. 6: Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
No. 5: Lavonte David, LB, Nebraska
No. 4: Mike Brewster, C, Ohio State
No. 3: Dan Persa, QB, Northwestern