Ranking the Big Ten: Clark 2nd on list (espn.com)

Penn State dominated the list, laying claim to four of the top seven players and five of the top 12.

Ranking the Big Ten: Clark 2nd on list (espn.com)

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Ranking the Big Ten's best 30 players ..

No. 2 -- Daryll Clark, QB, Penn State

Daryll Clark, QB, Penn State, Sr., 6-2, 233

Clark

Why he's here -- If this was a list of the Big Ten's most valuable players, Clark would be at the top. Although Penn State is well represented in the rundown, no player means more to the team's success in 2009 than Clark. Quarterback play is hardly a strong point in the Big Ten, but Clark can hang his hat on a very strong junior season.

After edging Pat Devlin for the starting job in 2008, Clark led Penn State to an 11-2 record, a Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl appearance. He was the only Big Ten quarterback to rank among the top 25 nationally in pass efficiency. Clark threw for 2,592 yards with 19 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He added 10 rushing touchdowns and finished as the team's third-leading rusher.

The statistics only tell part of the story. Clark's leadership skills instilled confidence in his teammates, particularly wide receivers Derrick Williams, Deon Butler and Jordan Norwood. He'll bring the same presence this fall to an offense that loses all three wideouts and three top offensive linemen. Put simply, if Clark stays healthy, Penn State could repeat as Big Ten champs. If he goes down, it could be a long season in Happy Valley.

No. 4 -- Evan Royster, RB, Penn State

Evan Royster, RB, Penn State, Jr., 6-1, 209

Royster

Why he's here -- Stephfon Green garnered most of the preseason buzz at Penn State last summer, but Royster quickly established himself as the team's top back and one of the best in the Big Ten. Despite a limited number of carries, Royster finished the season fourth in the league in rushing average (95.1 ypg) with a terrific yards-per-carry average (6.5) and 12 touchdowns. He enters 2009 as the Big Ten's top returning rusher (1,236 yards last fall).

A smart and extremely patient runner, Royster consistently gashed defenses for 8- to 12-yard gains and eclipsed 100 rushing yards in five of his first eight games. He didn't lose yardage in seven contests and lost more than 3 yards only once all season -- at Iowa. Though 2008 marked Royster's first season as the starter, it certainly didn't look that way.

The big question surrounding Royster is number of carries. He wants more of them, and he'll probably need more to truly be considered an elite running back. Royster averaged just 14.7 carries a game in 2008 and got the ball more than 20 times just once, in the loss to Iowa. Penn State likely will continue to spread the ball around with Green and Brandon Beachum also in the fold, but if Royster gets more touches, he'll most likely contend for national awards.

No. 6 -- Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn State

Navorro Bowman, LB, Penn State, Jr., 6-1, 230

Bowman

Why he's here -- Penn State had a multitude of breakout players last fall, and arguably no one made a bigger jump than Bowman. The linebacking corps needed a leader after Sean Lee tore his ACL in spring ball, and Bowman filled the void in a big way. He earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and helped restore the Linebacker U. tradition at Penn State.

In 2008, Bowman led Penn State in both total tackles (106) and tackles for loss (16.5), and he added two forced fumbles, an interception, a fumble recovery and six pass deflections. Perhaps most impressive was the fact Bowman didn't start the first three games and did most of his damage in the final 10 contests. 

Some will argue Bowman's placement is a little high, and there are valid arguments. He has a limited track record on the field, and his recent legal issues raise concerns about his ability to be a consistent leader. But Bowman's potential is undeniable, and he proved last season what type of playmaker he can be. If he continues to mature on and off the field, Bowman will contend for All-America honors and form the nation's top linebacker tandem with Lee.

No. 7 -- Sean Lee, LB, Penn State

No. 12 -- Jared Odrick, DT, Penn State

No. 27 -- Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State