Preview 2008 - The Big Ten Starting Lineups

The projected starting lineups, and key positions to spotlight going into the fall, for all Big Ten teams.

Preview 2008

Projected Big Ten

Starting Lineups

Who has the edge on a starting job going into the summer? What's the key position to watch out for and what needs to be addressed before the season starts? Here are the prjected starting lineups for every team.

Projected Starting Lineups
ACC | Big East | Big 12 | Big Ten
C-USA | MAC | M-West | SEC
Coming Wednesday: Pac 10, Sun Belt, WAC, Independents

Illinois

QB 7 Juice Williams, 6-2, 233, Jr.
RB 22 Daniel Dufrene, 5-11, 201, Jr.
Position Spotlight: There isn't a Rashard Mendenhall in the bunch, so it might be a running back by committee approach. Dufrene was the main backup last season and is certainly serviceable, but he's no lock to be an sort of a workhorse. Mikel LeShoure and Troy Pollard are options, but the real star could be true freshman Jason Ford when he gets to school.
WR 21 Kyle Hudson, 5-11, 167, Sr.
WR 9 Arrelious Benn, 6-2, 214, So.
WR 17 Jeff Cumberland, 6-5, 247, Jr.
TE 16 Michael Hoomanawanui, 6-5, 265, Jr.
OT 68 Xavier Fulton, 6-5, 295, Sr.
OG 66 Randall Hunt, 6-6, 303, So.
C 60 Ryan McDonald, 6-5, 296, Sr.
OG 52 Jon Asamoah, 6-5, 309, Jr.
OT 78 Ryan Palmer, 6-7, 300, So.
PK 38 Matt Brandabur, 6-0, 200, So.

DE 91 Derek Walker, 6-4, 270, Sr.
DT 56 Sirod Williams, 6-0, 292, Sr.
DT 94 David Lindquist, 6-3, 288, Sr.
DE 81 Will Davis, 6-3, 258, Sr.
LB 45 Rodney Pittman, 6-2, 242, Sr.
LB 44 Brit Miller, 6-1, 252, Sr.
LB 2 Martez Wilson, 6-4, 246, So.
CB 28 Dere Hicks, 5-10, 179, Jr.
SS 31 Travon Bellamy, 6-0, 207, So.
FS 18 Nate Bussey, 6-2, 210, So.
CB 1 Vontae Davis, 6-0, 204, Jr.
P 87 Anthony Santella, 6-2, 190, So.

Indiana

QB 15 Kellen Lewis, 6-1, 185, Jr.
Position Spotlight: Is he or isn't he going to be eligible? Unfortunately, with the new no-huddle, hurry-up offense the Hoosiers have installed, Lewis might not be close to up to speed even if he's able to come back after being suspended. Fortunately, Ben Chappell was good this spring and isn't a bad second option.
RB 2 Marcus Thigpen, 5-9, 190, Jr.
WR 6 James Bailey, 6-2, 205, Sr.
WR 13 Andrew Means, 6-0, 215, Jr.
WR 7 Ray Fisher, 5-9, 172, Jr.
TE 87 Brian Zematis, 6-3, 255, Jr.
OT 76 Rodger Safford, 6-5, 306, Jr.
OG 64 Pete Saxon, 6-6, 320, Jr.
C 71 Alex Perry, 6-7, 292, So.
OG 79 Cody Faulkner, 6-5, 315, So.
OT 68 Mike Stark, 6-7, 292, So.
PK 18 Austin Starr, 6-3, 204, Sr.

DE 57 Jammie Kirlew, 6-3, 266, Jr.
DT 55 Deonte Mack, 6-3, 282, So.
DT 62 Greg Brown, 6-2, 300, Sr.
DE 92 Greg Middleton, 6-3, 275, Jr.
LB 34 Will Patterson, 6-1, 235, Jr.
LB 32 Matt Mayberry, 6-2, 236, Jr.
LB 56 Geno Johnson, 6-2, 228, Sr.
CB 16 Christopher Phillips, 6-0, 195, Sr.
SS 20 Austin Thomas, 6-2, 200, Jr.
FS 8 Nick Polk, 6-0, 215, Jr.
CB 10 Donnell Jones, 5-10, 205, RFr.
P 12 Chris Hagerup, 6-5, 207, RFr.

Iowa

QB 6 Jake Christensen, 6-1, 215, Jr.
RB 25 Paki O’Meara, 5-11, 210, So.
Position Spotlight: Iowa could've used someone stepping up at running back in place of Albert Young, and while O'Meara was fine this spring, he was hardly special. With Jevon Pugh quitting the team, it'll be up to O'Meara, and JUCO transfer Shonn Greene, who originally started his career at Iowa, to create some sort of a ground game.
FB 38 Jordan McLaughlin, 6-0, 230, Sr.
WR 15 Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, 6-1, 205, So.
WR 80 Andy Brodell, 6-3, 200, Sr.
TE 81 Tony Moeaki, 6-4, 255, Jr.
OT 79 Bryan Bulaga, 6-6, 290, So.
OG 63 Julian Vandervelde, 6-3, 295, So.
C 58 Rob Bruggeman, 6-3, 287, Sr.
OG 71 Seth Olsen, 6-5, 305, Sr.
OT 60 Kyle Calloway, 6-7, 305, Jr.
PK 1 Daniel Murray, 5-10, 175, So.

DE 46 Christian Ballard, 6-4, 270, So.
DT 47 Mitch King, 6-3, 264, Sr.
DT 53 Matt Kroul, 6-3, 277, Sr.
DE 94 Adrian Clayborn, 6-3, 275, So.
LB 49 A.J. Edds, 6-4, 244, Jr.
LB 33 Jeff Tarpinian, 6-3, 220, So.
LB 55 Jacody Coleman, 6-3, 240, So.
CB 29 Bradley Fletcher, 6-2, 200, Sr.
S 2 Harold Dalton, 6-1, 201, Sr.
S 30 Brett Greenwood, 6-0, 200, So.
CB 4 Jordan Bernstine, 5-11, 200, So.
P 5 Ryan Donahue, 6-3, 175, So.

Michigan

QB 10 Stephen Threet, 6-5, 230, RFr.
Position Spotlight: No one believes Threet is a perfect fit for the Rich Rodriguez offense, but he's the best the team has at the moment. Nick Sheridan was good enough this off-season to get a harder look at the job this fall, and David Cone will get a few opportunities, but either incoming freshman Justin Feagin will take over, or it's sink-or-swim with Threet.
RB 4 Brandon Minor, 6-1, 214, Jr.
FB 44 Mark Moundros, 6-1, 232, So.
WR 13 Greg Mathews, 6-3, 207, Jr.
WR 17 Toney Clemons, 6-3, 201, So.
TE 85 Carson Butler, 6-5, 250, Jr.
OT 71 Mark Ortmann, 6-7, 294, Jr.
OG 62 Tim McAvoy, 6-6, 288, Jr.
C 60 David Moosman, 6-5, 292, Jr.
OG 75 Cory Zirbel, 6-5, 292, Jr.
OT 52 Stephen Schilling, 6-5, 295, So.
PK 84 K.C. Lopata, 6-2, 233, Sr.

DE 90 Tim Jamison, 6-3, 263, Sr.
DT 97 Will Johnson, 6-5, 285, Sr.
NT 67 Terrance Taylor, 6-0, 319, Sr.
DE 55 Brandon Graham, 6-2, 270, Jr.
LB 54 Austin Panter, 6-3, 231, Sr.
LB 45 Obi Ezeh, 6-2, 247, So.
LB 33 Marell Evans, 6-3, 231, So.
CB 14 Morgan Trent, 6-1, 188, Sr.
SS 27 Brandon Harrison, 5-9, 206, Sr.
FS 3 Stevie Brown, 6-0, 209, Jr.
CB 6 Donovan Warren, 6-0, 180, So.
P 41 Zoltan Mesko, 6-5, 235, Jr.

Michigan State

QB 7 Brian Hoyer, 6-2, 212, Sr.
RB 23 Javon Ringer, 5-9, 200, Sr.
FB 45 Andrew Hawken, 6-2, 238, Jr.
WR 2 Mark Dell, 6-2, 185, So.
Position Spotlight: With Devin Thomas taking off early for the NFL, there was a big, gaping hole at receiver. Who's going to be the man to complement the running game? Dell became that guy this off-season, while B.J. Cunningham also showed some pizzazz. At the very least, they showed they could be counted on.
WR 3 B.J. Cunningham, 6-2, 205, RFr.
TE 83 Charlie Gantt, 6-4, 256, So.
OT 57 Rocco Cironi, 6-6, 305, Jr.
OG 73 Roland Martin, 6-5, 325, Sr.
C 65 Joel Nitchman, 6-3, 300, Jr.
OG 64 Brendon Moss, 6-6, 292, Jr.
OT 79 Jesse Miller, 6-6, 320, Sr.
PK 14 Brett Swenson, 5-8, 160, Jr.

DE 47 Brandon Long, 6-4, 240, Sr.
DT 97 Justin Kershaw, 6-5, 278, Sr.
NT 80 Oren Wilson, 6-3, 292, So.
DE 58 Trevor Anderson, 6-2, 255, Jr.
LB 53 Greg Jones, 6-1, 222, So.
LB 55 Adam Decker, 6-2, 233, Jr.
LB 43 Eric Gordon, 6-0, 220, So.
CB 38 Kendell Davis-Clark, 5-11, 204, Sr.
SS 21 Otis Wiley, 6-2, 210, Sr.
FS 40 Roderick Jenrette, 6-1, 200, Jr.
CB 31 Ashton Henderson, 5-11, 184, Jr.
P 18 Aaron Bates, 6-0, 190, So.

Minnesota

QB 8 Adam Weber, 6-2, 220, So.
RB 22 Duane Bennett, 5-9, 195, So.
WR 7 Eric Decker, 6-2, 215, Jr.
WR -- Brandon Green, 6-0, 180, Fr.
WR 9 David Pittman, 5-11, 185, Jr.
TE 15 Jack Simmons, 6-4, 240, Sr.
OT 76 Dominic Alford, 6-3, 315, So.
OG 66 Ned Tavale, 6-2, 320, Jr.
C 52 Jeff Tow-Arnett, 6-2, 275, Jr.
OG 60 Ryan Wynn, 6-5, 240, RFr.
OT 68 Chris Bunders, 6-3, 305, RFr.
PK 36 Joel Monroe, 5-11, 190, Sr.

DE 30 Lee Campbell, 6-3, 250, Jr.
DT -- Tim McGee, 6-4, 300, Jr.
DT 99 Garrett Brown, 6-2, 290, Jr.
DE 91 William VanDeSteeg, 6-4, 255, Sr.
LB 44 Deon Hightower, 6-3, 215, Sr.
LB 56 Steve Davis, 6-2, 225, Sr.
LB -- Simoni Lawrence, 6-1, 205, Jr.
CB -- Traye Simmons, 5-11, 175, Jr.
SS -- Keanon Cooper, 6-0, 200, Fr.
FS 1 Tramaine Brock, 6-0, 187, Jr.
CB 24 Marcus Sherels, 5-11, 165, Jr.
Position Spotlight: The entire defense. There are wholesale changes, and then there's what Minnesota will go through. The worst defense in college football went through a slew of, well, growing pains, and now the hope is for all the inexperience of last year, and all the newcomers from a good recruiting class, to provide some signs of life.
P 41 Justin Kucek, 6-1, 180, RFr.

Northwestern

QB 18 C.J. Bacher, 6-2, 210, Sr.
RB 19 Tyrell Sutton, 5-9, 200, Sr.
WR 10 Eric Peterman, 6-1, 195, Sr.
WR 12 Andrew Brewer, 6-3, 210, Jr.
WR 9 Ross Lane, 6-3, 190, Sr.
WR 8 Rasheed Ward, 5-11, 180, Sr.
OT 78 Kurt Mattes, 6-6, 285, Jr.
OG 52 Joel Belding, 6-3, 300, Sr.
C 65 Ben Burkett, 6-4, 265, RFr.
OG 62 Keegan Kennedy, 6-2, 280, Sr.
OT 75 Al Netter, 6-6, 285, RFr.
PK 96 Amado Villarreal, 5-10, 180, Sr.

DE 99 Corey Wootton, 6-7, 270, Jr.
DT 70 John Gill, 6-3, 290, Sr.
DT 79 Adam Hahn, 6-4, 290, Jr.
DE 95 Kevin Mims, 6-3, 260, Sr.
Position Spotlight: Simply put, Mims and Corey Wootton have been disappointments. They have the size and the experience, but the haven't been nearly disruptive enough. Wootton is likely a lock, but all of a sudden, Mims, a regular on the defense for the last few years, will have to fight with redshirt freshman Vince Brown looking like a pass rushing specialist this spring.
LB 41 Quentin Davie, 6-4, 220, So.
LB 46 Malcolm Arrington, 6-2, 235, Sr.
LB 36 Prince Kwateng, 6-2, 230, Sr.
CB 28 Justan Vaughn, 6-0, 180, So.
S 17 Brad Phillips, 6-4, 210, So.
S 4 Brendan Smith, 6-1, 210, Jr.
CB 24 Sherrick McManis, 6-0, 190, Jr.
P 1 Stefan Demos, 5-10, 180, So.

Ohio State

QB 17 Todd Boeckman, 6-4, 244, Sr.
RB 28 Chris Wells, 6-1, 237, Jr.
FB 49 Ryan Lukens, 6-0, 238, Sr.
WR 80 Brian Robiskie, 6-3, 199, Sr.
WR 9 Brian Hartline, 6-2, 186, Sr.
TE 88 Rory Nicol, 6-5, 252, Sr.
OT 75 Alex Boone, 6-8, 312, Sr.
OG 71 Steve Rehring, 6-7, 345, Sr.
C 64 Jim Cordle, 6-4, 297, Jr.
OG 63 Ben Person, 6-3, 323, Sr.
OT 70 Bryant Browning, 6-4, 312, So.
Position Spotlight: This is the one critical area on Ohio State with Kirk Barton needing to be replaced. Not only did Browning look like the next great Buckeye tackle, but he looked like a seasoned veteran. To make matters better, freshman Mike Adams might be ready as a decent backup option sooner than later.
PK 85 Ryan Pretorius, 5-9, 169, Sr.

DE 87 Lawrence Wilson, 6-4, 274, Jr.
DT 84 Doug Worthington, 6-6, 276, Jr.
DT 92 Todd Denlinger, 6-2, 292, Jr.
DE 87 Lawrence Wilson, 6-4, 274, Jr.
LB 1 Marcus Freeman, 6-1, 239, Sr.
LB 33 James Laurinaitis, 6-3, 240, Sr.
LB 55 Curtis Terry, 6-1, 229, Sr.
CB 2 Malcolm Jenkins, 6-1, 201, Sr.
SS 4 Kurt Coleman, 5-11, 188, Jr.
FS 20 Anderson Russell, 6-0, 205, Jr.
CB 21 Donald Washington, 6-0, 194, Jr.
P 15 A.J. Trapasso, 6-0, 229, Sr.

Penn State

QB 17 Daryll Clark, 6-2, 231, Sr.
RB 22 Evan Royster, 6-1, 212, So.
Position Spotlight: While the quarterback battle is getting all the attention, the real fight is at running back. Royster is the No. 1 back on the depth chart, but it's Stephfon Green's job to take. Green, a redshirt freshman, has the quickness and the dash to be a home run hitter every time he touches the ball. 
WR 24 Jordan Norwood, 5-11, 171, Sr.
WR 2 Derrick Williams, 6-0, 194, Sr.
WR 3 Deon Butler, 5-10, 168, Sr.
TE 82 Mickey Shuler, 6-4, 251, Jr.
OT 76 Gerald Cadogan, 6-5, 314, Sr.
OG 64 Rich Ohrnberger, 6-2, 291, Sr.
C 57 A.Q. Shipley, 6-1, 297, Sr.
OG 61 Stefen Wisniewski, 6-3, 288, So.
OT 73 Dennis Landolt, 6-4, 309, Jr.
PK 23 Kevin Kelly, 5-7, 164, Sr.

DE 48 Maurice Evans, 6-2, 264, Jr.
DT 97 Abe Koroma, 6-3, 316, So.
DT 85 Ollie Ogbu, 6-1, 292, So.
DE 47 Josh Gaines, 6-1, 275, Sr.
LB 46 Tyrell Sales, 6-2, 233, Sr.
LB 43 Josh Hull, 6-2, 231, Jr.
LB 15 Bani Gbadyu, 6-0, 221, So.
CB 11 Tony Davis, 5-10, 195, Sr.
SS 9 Mark Rubin, 6-2, 216, Sr.
FS 7 Anthony Scirrotto, 6-0, 192, Sr.
CB 10 Lydell Sargeant, 5-10, 186, Sr.
P 41 Jeremy Boone, 5-9, 184, Jr.

Purdue

QB 12 Curtis Painter, 6-4, 230, Sr.
RB 33 Jaycen Taylor, 5-10, 180, Sr.
WR 83 Joe Whitest, 6-2, 195, Sr.
WR 17 Aaron Valentin, 6-1, 205, Sr.
WR 21 Greg Orton, 6-3, 199, Sr.
Position Spotlight: An excellent contributor over his career, now Orton becomes the main man after the offense loses star targets Dorien Bryant and Dustin Keller. Desmond Tardy will be back from a shoulder problem to provide a little help, while Orton needs to get healthy, too, after getting hit by a groin injury.
TE 85 Kyle Adams, 6-5, 251, Jr.
OT 74 Sean Sester, 6-7, 325, Sr.
OG 75 Zach Reckman, 6-6, 308, Sr.
C 78 Cory Benton, 6-3, 287, Sr.
OG 72 Justin Pierce, 6-4, 314, Jr.
OT 61 Zach Jones, 6-5, 300, Sr.
PK 13 Chris Summers, 6-1, 179, Jr.

DE 94 Ryan Kerrigan, 6-4, 255, So.
DT 90 Ryan Baker, 6-5, 280, Sr.
DT 71 Alex Magee, 6-4, 295, Sr.
DE 95 Keyon Brown, 6-3, 241, Sr.
LB 29 Jason Werner, 6-4, 221, Sr.
LB 27 Kevin Green, 6-2, 236, Jr.
LB 42 Anthony Heygood, 6-2, 230, Sr.
CB 9 David Pender, 6-1, 180, Jr.
SS 2 Torri Williams, 6-2, 208, Sr.
FS 7 Brandon King, 5-11, 192, Sr.
CB 10 Royce Adams, 6-0, 190, Jr.
P 13 Chris Summers, 6-1, 179, Jr.

Wisconsin

QB 4 Allan Evridge, 6-2, 216, Sr.
RB 39 P.J. Hill, 5-11, 228, Jr.
FB 44 Chris Pressley, 6-1, 259, Sr.
WR 14 Kyle Jefferson, 6-5, 176, So.
WR 85 David Gilreath, 5-11, 154, So.
TE 9 Travis Beckum, 6-4, 223, Sr.
OT 68 Gabe Carimi, 6-8, 299, So.
OG 75 Andy Kemp, 6-6, 316, Sr.
C 74 John Moffitt, 6-4, 317, So.
OG 63 Kraig Urbik, 6-6, 328, Sr.
OT 71 Eric Vanden Heuvel, 6-7, 321, Sr.
PK 18 Philip Welch, 6-3, 185, RFr.

DE 99 Kirk DeCremer, 6-5, 238, So.
DT 54 Mike Newkirk, 6-3, 261, Sr.
DT 91 Jason Chapman, 6-4, 285, Sr.
DE 92 Matt Shaughnessy, 6-6, 253, Sr .
Position Spotlight: The Badgers have injury issues all over the place, but the biggest concern will be on the line where Shaughnessy broke his leg in spring ball and needs to come back 100% healthy. Chapman is coming off a knee injury and is hardly going to be fresh on day one. If these two are ready to roll by the time Akron comes to town, the defense will be excellent. If they're still hurting, the coaching staff will be scrambling a bit.
LB 11 DeAndre Levy, 6-3, 234, Sr.
LB 52 Elijah Hodge, 6-1, 226, Jr.
LB 2 Jonathan Casillas, 6-2, 220, Sr.
CB 17 Allen Langford, 5-11, 188, Sr.
SS 8 Aubrey Pleasant, 6-1, 197, Jr.
FS 25 Shane Carter, 6-2, 202, Jr.
CB 7 Aaron Henry, 6-0, 187, So.
P 95 Brad DeBauche, 6-2, 210, RFr.