The 2010 Big Ten postseason player rankings continue with ...
No. 22: Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa, Sr., 6-4, 285
2010 numbers: Started all 13 games at defensive end; recorded 52 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks; recorded a team-high six quarterback hurries; had a forced fumble and a blocked kick.
Preseason rank: No. 1 in preseason top 25 players
Why he's here: The season didn't go like many of us thought it would for Clayborn, an absolute monster in 2009 who was a pretty easy pick as my preseason No. 1 player. His numbers nosedived and he seemed to disappear at times down the stretch of the season. But these rankings place a premium on impact, and I believe Clayborn still impacted games with his presence and made his teammates better. He had a very good first two months of the season, commanding constant double teams that created playmaking opportunities for Mike Daniels, Karl Klug and others. He showed against Penn State (10 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack) that he still can dominate a game. Clayborn earned consensus first-team All-Big Ten honors, and opposing coaches recognized him as one of the league's best. I fully expect him to go on to have a strong NFL career.