The Big Ten postseason player rankings, based on past performance and future potential, continue with ...

No. 9

John Clay, RB, Wisconsin, So., 6-1, 248

Preseason rank: 16

Why he's here: Clay fell behind Zach Brown in camp and started the season a bit slow, but much like his team, he figured things out as the weeks went by. And for the rest of the Big Ten, it signaled major trouble. Clay steamrolled his way through opposing defenses, eclipsing 100 rushing yards in nine games, including each of his last six contests. He racked up 1,517 rushing yards, which led the Big Ten and ranked 12th nationally, and won Big Ten Offensive MVP honors. Clay also was a finalist for the Silver Football award.

At nearly 250 pounds, Clay is one of the nation's most powerful running backs. He'll enter 2010 as a Heisman Trophy candidate and a good bet to turn pro after the season. He needs to perform better against the Big Ten's best after being held to fewer than 100 rushing yards against both Ohio State and Iowa. But Clay will have every chance to improve on his 2009 performance, as he'll work behind a veteran offensive line and alongside a quarterback in Scott Tolzien who provides balance in the offense. Expect Clay to be much higher in the 2010 preseason rankings.

The rundown

• No. 30: Michigan State WR Blair White
• No. 29: Northwestern DE Corey Wootton
• No. 28: Wisconsin TE Garrett Graham
• No. 27: Ohio State LG Justin Boren
• No. 26: Iowa S Tyler Sash
• No. 25: Northwestern QB Mike Kafka
• No. 24: Penn State C Stefen Wisniewski
• No. 23: Michigan CB Donovan Warren
• No. 22: Northwestern CB Sherrick McManis
• No. 21: Ohio State DE Thaddeus Gibson
• No. 20: Indiana DE Jammie Kirlew
• No. 19: Iowa LB Pat Angerer
• No. 18: Wisconsin DE O'Brien Schofield
• No. 17: Illinois WR Arrelious Benn
• No. 16: Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan
• No. 15: Penn State RB Evan Royster
• No. 14: Iowa CB Amari Spievey
• No. 13: Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor
• No. 12: Penn State LB Sean Lee
• No. 11: Ohio State S Kurt Coleman
• No. 10: Minnesota WR Eric Decker