ESPN recently released
rankings of the top 25 Big Ten players, based on past performances by the player and their potential for the upcoming season. Several Badgers made the cut.
#4 - RB John Clay
Clay finished at #9 in ESPN's
2009 postseason player rankings. The Big Ten Offensive Player of the year finished 1st in the Big Ten and 12th nationally with 1,517 rush yards (116.7 yards per game). He scored 18 touchdowns and rushed for at least 100 yards in 9 games.
Clay averaged 5.43 yards per carry last season, good enough for 3rd all-time in Badger history. He also sits 10th all time in school history for rushing yards (2,401) and 6th in career touchdowns (27). Clay was the Champ's Sports Bowl MVP last season.
#11 - LT Gabe Carimi
Carimi was first-team all Big Ten last season.He was part of the 2009 Wisconsin offensive line that led the Big Ten in scoring (31.8 points per game), rushing (203.8 yards per game), and total offense (416.9 yards per game).
Already being called Bryan Bulaga's replacement as the "premier left tackle in the Big Ten", Carimi has been named to the Rotary Lombardi Award preseason watch list, as well as been selected as a preseason All-American by several outlets. ESPN college football specialist Mel Kiper Jr. predicted Carimi to be the 2nd tackle selected in the 2011 draft.
#15 - G/C John Moffitt
The senior offensive lineman will be starting for the 4th consecutive season.
Moffitt also made the Rotary Lombardi Award preseason watch list for the 2nd year in a row. Mel Kiper Jr. has predicted Moffitt to be the 5th guard drafted in 2011.
#16 - LB Chris Borland
Borland did a little bit of everything for the Badgers last season. As a freshman, Borland Tied for 1st in the Big Ten with three fumble recoveries, and tied for 2nd with five forced fumbles. He was 3rd among Badgers in sacks, with 5, and tackles for loss, with 10.5. He blocked a punt, returned 6 kickoffs, had an interception, and kicked 3 extra points.
In 2009 Borland won Big Ten Player of the Week honors for both defensive and special teams play. He was also chosen as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
#19 - QB Scott Tolzein
Tolzein won the starting job for the Badgers last season and proceeded to lead the Big Ten in pass efficiency with a QB rating of 143. He also finished 2nd in the Big Ten by completing 64.3% of his passes. In 6 games he threw for at least 240 yards.
Tolzein was never flashy in 2009, but he played consistently for the majority of the season. He executed when he needed to, and was a nice complement to the strong running game for Wisconsin.
#25 - DE J.J. Watt
Watt had a breakout sophomore season. He finished 2nd for the Badgers in fumble recoveries, with 2, and pass breakups, with 5. He also finished 6th in the Big Ten with 15.5 tackles for loss.
J.J. will need to pick up the pace this season, as O'Brien Schofield's graduation leaves him as the featured pass rusher on the team.
Honorable Mention:
WR Nick Toon
Toon caught 54 balls for 805 yards last season and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Midway through the 2009 season he began to develop a connection with Tolzein, look for that relationship to continue in 2010.
