Big Ten's Top 10 Players

SI Staff | Aug 17, 2007

Big Ten's Top 10 Players /

Big Ten's Top 10 Players

J Leman, LB, Sr.

Leman easily led the Big Ten in tackles (152) and finished second in tackles for loss (19). Leman doesn't possess lightning speed, but somehow he gets in on nearly every play.

James Hardy, WR, Jr.

Indiana's super-sized (6-foot-7, 220 pounds) pass-catcher led the Big Ten with 10 touchdown receptions. Kellen Lewis' growth as a second-year starter will benefit Hardy greatly. This superb athlete actually played for the Hoosiers' basketball team in 2004-05, starting three games.

Jack Ikegwuonu, CB, Jr.

Ikegwuonu boasts the size (6-foot-1, 200 pounds) and speed (having run down Darren McFadden from behind in last season's Capital One Bowl) of a future first-round pick. Ikegwuonu has the ability to shut down one side of the field.

Mario Manningham, WR, Jr.

Manningham proved himself to be one of the nation's most dangerous deep threats last season. Before getting hurt against Michigan State, Manningham hauled in nine touchdown catches in the Wolverines' first six games.

Chad Henne, QB, Sr.

Michigan's starter for the school's past 37 games, Henne enters the season that will truly define his place among former Wolverine signal-callers. With the talented offensive pieces that surround him, Henne should enjoy a prolific senior campaign.

P.J. Hill, RB, So.

It's impossible for this hefty (5-foot-11, 227 pounds) rusher to avoid comparisons to Badgers great Ron Dayne, but Hill's style is far different than the former Heisman winner's approach. Hill is faster than Dayne and boasts better hands.

Dan Connor, LB, Sr.

Connor moves to middle linebacker, replacing iconic Nittany Lion Paul Posluszny. The 6-foot-3, 233-pounder is only 98 tackles short of breaking Posluszny's career-tackles record of 372.

James Laurinaitis, LB, Jr.

As a sophomore, Laurinaitis was the heart and soul of an inexperienced defense that grew up very quickly. He led Ohio State in both tackles (115) and interceptions (five) and became the first true sophomore to win the Nagurski Award as the nation's top defensive player.

Jake Long, LT, Sr.

Long would have been a first-round pick had he entered this year's NFL Draft, but he chose to return for his senior year and take care of some unfinished business -- namely, beating Ohio State and winning a bowl game.

Mike Hart, RB, Sr.

Entering his fourth season as Michigan's starting running back, Hart is just 793 yards short of the school's career-rushing record. Hart may be small in stature (5-foot-9, 195 pounds), but he uses this low center of gravity to his advantage and is difficult to take down.

Published Aug 17, 2007

SI STAFF