The Big Ten preseason player rankings, based on past performance and 2010 potential, continue with ...

No. 8: Stefen Wisniewski, G/C, Penn State, Sr., 6-3, 297

2009 numbers: Earned consensus first-team All-Big Ten honors at center after making the transition from guard; started all 13 games for the Nittany Lions and helped Penn State to an 11-2 record and a Capital One Bowl championship; earned third-team All-America honors.

Most recent ranking: No. 24 in the 2009 postseason player rankings.

Making the case for Wisniewski: Is there a more versatile offensive lineman in the country than Wisniewski? After earning second-team All-Big Ten honors at guard, his natural position, in 2008, Wisniewski shifted to center because Penn State needed a replacement for Rimington Trophy winner A.Q. Shipley. Wisniewski didn't miss a beat, earning consensus first-team all-conference honors for a line that had its ups and downs throughout the fall. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. in February listed Wisniewski as the nation's No. 2 center for the 2011 NFL draft, but Wisniewski moved back to guard in spring practice and likely will stay there for the season. Named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, Wisniewski is one of the leading contenders for Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. Safe to say he's upholding the family name in Happy Valley.

The rundown

• No. 25: Wisconsin DE J.J. Watt

• No. 24: Illinois RB Mikel LeShoure

• No. 23: Iowa DT Karl Klug

• No. 22: Northwestern LB Quentin Davie

• No. 21: Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins

• No. 20: Ohio State LB Brian Rolle

• No. 19: Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien

• No. 18: Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi

• No. 17: Ohio State WR DeVier Posey

• No. 16: Wisconsin LB Chris Borland

• No. 15: Wisconsin G/C John Moffitt

• No. 14: Indiana WR Tandon Doss

• No. 13: Purdue WR Keith Smith

• No. 12: Ohio State LB Ross Homan

• No. 11: Wisconsin LT Gabe Carimi

• No. 10: Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan

• No. 9: Ohio State G Justin Boren