Big Ten: NFL Draft prospect watch -- Week 10
(Video interview of Kawann Short courtesy of the Exponent)
1. DT Johnathan Hankins, 6-3, 317, Ohio State
Why he has the top spot: Once again, Hankins clogged up all the Illinois running lanes, helping to limit it to just 74 yards rushing on 2.3 yards per attempt. Mobile QB Nathan Scheelhaase could rarely get outside the pocket and Hankins' four tackles helped limit the Fighting Illini to just 2 of 14 on third-down conversions. Hankins' allure to NFL scouts is that he can play in either a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme as a nose tackle.
Season stats: 50 tackles, one blocked FG, four tackles for loss, one sack
Player ranking: Hankins is the second-best player in the entire draft class and ranked as the top tackle, according to CBSSports.com's player rankings.
Up next: The Buckeyes are idle before heading up to Madison to face the Badgers' vaunted rushing attack in two weeks.
2. DT Kawann Short, 6-3, 315, Purdue
Why he has the second spot: Short, playing on a bum ankle against the Nittany Lions last Saturday, only managed one tackle as Penn State sophomore RB Zach Zwinak rushed for a career-high 134 yards. After the game he described his ankle as “so-so” and said that although he felt good on the field, he thinks it's around 80 percent healthy.
Season stats: 26 tackles, nine for loss, four sacks, four blocked field goals
Player ranking: Short is the 35th-ranked player in the draft class and the sixth-best tackle, according to CBSSports.com's player rankings.
Up next: The Boilermakers play at Iowa on Saturday and are still seeking their first conference victory after losing five in a row. The Hawkeyes have two capable running backs in Mark Weisman and Damon Bullock, who differ in their rushing styles. Weisman is a between-the-tackle type halfback while Bullock prefers to bounce it outside.
3. DE William Gholston, 6-7, 278, Michigan State
Why he has the third spot: Gholston buoyed his season-best performance against Wisconsin two weeks ago into another solid effort last Saturday vs. Nebraska. Effort is the key word with Gholston and he gave it despite the loss. He finished with five tackles, including three solo tackles, but it's difficult to win when the defense concedes more than 300 rushing yards as the Spartans did vs. Nebraska.
Season stats: 41 tackles, 8.5 for loss, two sacks
Player ranking: Gholston is ranked as the 55th overall prospect and the ninth-best defensive end in the class, according to CBSSports.com's player rankings.
Up next: The Spartans are idle this weekend before hosting Northwestern on Nov. 17.
Keep an eye on: LT Taylor Lewan, 6-8, 309, Michigan
Why you should watch him: Lewan began the season a little a bit unsteady having to take on Alabama's defensive line followed by Notre Dame's three weeks later but has since settled into a comfortable role at left tackle. Last Saturday, with Denard Robinson out, the Wolverines played converted WR Devin Gardner at QB in a more pro-style set, highlighting Lewan's talents. It was a seamless switch that saw both the passing game under Gardner and the rushing game (155 yards) thrive with Lewan as the anchor against the Gophers' imposing defensive line.
Season stats: Michigan starting QBs have been sacked just seven times this season.
Player ranking: Lewan is the 11th-rated player in this year's draft class and the second-best tackle, according to CBSSports.com's player rankings.
Up next: The Wolverines host Northwestern on Saturday. The Wildcats are sixth in the Big Ten with 19 sacks on the season.
For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigTen.
