Big 10, Home of the Best Running Backs

The Big XII has the quarterbacks, the SEC has the defenses, the Pac-10 has everyone from USC, and the ACC/Big Easy has...ummm...moving on. But at this point in the year, I think it's pretty easy to see that the Big 10 has the best running backs in the country, and also some of the most underrated. Don't worry, you'll know these guys soon. Here's how I would break down their pro potential:

Future 1st rounders:

Chris "Beanie" Wells - Jr. - Ohio State

Javon Ringer - Sr. - Michigan State

Evan Royster - So. - Penn State

Shonn Green - Jr. - Iowa

John Clay - Fr. - Wisconsin

Round 2-4 draft picks:

Tyrell Sutton - Sr. - Northwestern
PJ Hill - Jr. - Wisconsin

Late round draft picks:

Kory Sheets - Sr. - Purdue

Brandon Minor - Jr. - Michigan

The future of the position:

Sam McGuffie - Fr. - Michigan

DeLeon Eskridge - Fr. - Minnesota

Jewel Hampton - Fr. - Iowa

Stephfon Green - Fr. - Penn State

Jason Ford - Fr. - Illinois

The Big 10 RB's are something special, and will be for some time.

Written by Eric Hardter on Facebook.

NFL Draft Sleepers

Here are a couple of prospects who haven't gotten much publicity but may end up climbing the draft boards when April rolls around:

Josh Freeman - QB - Kansas State

While Freeman is only a junior, he may end up skipping his senior year due to a lack of great quarterbacks in this years draft. Freeman reminds many, including me, of quarterbacks like Ben Roethlisberger and Jamarcus Russell. Like these two quarterbacks, Freeman is a monster among men (he is listed at 6'6 and 248). Freeman is fairly mobile ( he has been clocked at a 4.76 40 time) and has a very strong arm. Coming into this season, the knock on Freeman was his decision making. Through the first half of the season, Freeman has only thrown 2 picks compared to 12 touchdowns and has completed 65 % of his passes. He is also Kansas State's leading rusher. Freeman may end up staying for his senior year but whatever he decides to do, he has a ton of potential!

Tyrell Sutton - HB - Northwestern

Sutton stand only 5'8 but he makes a bigger impact then you'd think. Sutton is a big reason why Northwestern has improved drastically this year. He has amassed 603 yards already and has averaged 5.5 per carry. He reminds me a lot of Maurice Jones-Drew because of his short and stocky body and his elusiveness. Sutton doesn't possess amazing speed (has been clocked at 4.39 in the 40) but he just gains yards. Watch out for him in the future.

Jarrett Dillard - WR - Rice

Dillard is a small guy playing in a non-BCS conference. Last year, he was touted as one of the best receivers in the nation but this year people seem t have forgotten about him. Dillard reminds me a lot of Marvin Harrison because he is a great possession receiver and has great hands. He does not possess any extraordinary physical skills or athletic ability but he knows how to play the game. Dillard has already caught 11 touchdown passes and is the leading receiver in yards for Rice. Dillard is used to not being recognized, he was a 1 star prospect coming out of high school and barely garnered any interest from any D1 teams. Dillard is a true sleeper and may end up being better than most of the wide receivers ranked ahead of him in the draft.

Derrick Williams - WR - Penn State

Derrick Williams has so much talent but hasn't exactly lived up to the expectations that were put on him. He was a 5 star prospect coming out of high school and had offers from tons of football powerhouses including Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas but he decided to sign with Penn State. Things may have been different if Williams actually had a decent quarterback to throw him the ball. This year, his senior year, he has a chance to turn some heads with a strong year. He is poised to set a career high in receiving yards this year. If he can continue to perform at a high level and have a good workout at the combine, Williams can jump as high as the second round.