They're baaaaack.
The top 30 player rankings last summer were a huge hit on the blog, and many of you wanted me to re-rank following the 2009 season. As expected, several new players have joined the top 30, while several have left and others have moved up or down.
A few things to keep in mind:
Just because a player moves down or out of the rankings doesn't mean he had a poor season. In most cases, other players simply stood out more.
Like the preseason rankings, I'm using past performance at the college level (including the 2009 season) as well as future potential in the NFL as the two primary factors for evaluating players. Past performance counts for 60 percent, while future potential counts for 40 percent.
Thirty spots really aren't that many, and there are a ton of outstanding players who didn't make the rankings. By no means is this a knock on guys like Brad Phillips, Keith Smith, DeVier Posey, John Moffitt, Tony Moeaki, Ross Homan, Zoltan Mesko, Tandon Doss and Brett Swenson. Several of them certainly will appear in the 2010 preseason top 30 (coming in May or June).
The postseason top 30 rankings begin with ...
No. 30
WhiteBlair White, WR, Michigan State, Sr., 6-2, 205
Preseason rank: Unranked
Why he's here: Since the middle of the 2008 season, White has been arguably the most productive receiver in the Big Ten. He followed up a strong finish to his junior season by tying for the the Big Ten lead in touchdown receptions (nine) and ranking second in receiving yards (990). There are flashier wideouts in college football, but few are as reliable as White has been for Michigan State.
Despite starting just 18 games and only earning a scholarship before the 2008 season, White finished his career ranked among Michigan State's all-time leaders for receptions (116), touchdowns (10) and receiving yards (1,674). His academic credentials are well documented, and while he's got a promising future as a dentist, don't be surprised if he plays in the NFL. White recorded game highs in both receptions (seven) and receiving yards (93) at the East-West Shrine Game last week, boosting his draft stock. The first-team All-Big Ten selection could be a steal in April.