The skill positions come back with a vengeance at No. 21. But most important for all the people out there who are 5-foot-7 or 5-foot-8, this guy made you feel as though you, too, could do anything.
No. 21: Jeremy Gallon, WR, Michigan
Previous ranking: not ranked
Making the case for Gallon: He was given the Desmond Howard legacy jersey this year -- which is No. 21 -- and he lived up to that name and number.
This season Gallon set career marks for receiving yards in a game (Indiana, 369), receptions in a game (Indiana, 14), touchdowns in a game (Notre Dame, 3) and receptions in consecutive games (39). He was voted MVP by his teammates and became just the 10th Wolverine to record a 1,000-yard receiving season.
He finished the season second in the Big Ten in receptions per game (6.8) and receiving yards per game (105.6). In both those categories he was second to Penn State’s Allen Robinson.
But even more important than where he fell in the Big Ten was how crucial he was to the struggling Wolverines offense. Gallon was quarterback Devin Gardner’s security net all season. Picking up those kinds of numbers when your quarterback is playing behind an offensive line that didn’t consistently block well is very impressive. He made bad passes look decent and was the sure-handed receiver who got Michigan out of several sticky situations.
No. 25: Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase
No. 24: Indiana WR Cody Latimer
No. 23: Michigan State RB Jeremy Langford
No. 22: Iowa OT Brandon Scherff