The Big Ten postseason Top 25 player rankings march on with No. 21. As a reminder, these rankings are based on 2011 on-field performance only, not future potential or NFL projections.
No. 21: Marcus Coker, RB, Iowa, So., 6-foot, 230
Preseason rank: Not ranked
2011 numbers: Finished second in the Big Ten in both rushing yards (1,384) and rushing average (115.3 ypg), ranking 15th nationally in the latter category. He led the Big Ten in carries per game (23.4) and had seven 100-yard rushing performances. Coker scored 15 rush touchdowns and added 21 receptions for 157 yards.
Why he's here: After a breakthrough performance in the 2010 Insight Bowl, Coker thrived in a featured role for the Hawkeyes this fall. He was Iowa's sole ball-carrying option for most of the season and displayed both consistency and durability. Coker led the Big Ten in rushing for part of the fall and had four consecutive 100-yard rushing performances during Big Ten play, including a career-high 252-yard effort against Minnesota. He had only two games where he lost more than three yards and helped Iowa eclipse 40 points in four of its first seven games.
Coker scored two touchdowns or more in six of the Hawkeyes' first nine games. He accounted for 77.3 percent of Iowa's rushing yards and 61.9 percent of the team's carries despite being suspended for the Insight Bowl. Unfortunately, Coker's time at Iowa ended when he decided to leave the team in January and transfer to FCS Stony Brook.
Previously
No. 22: Silas Redd, RB, Penn State
No. 23: Kawann Short, DT, Purdue
No. 24: Mike Taylor, LB, Wisconsin
No. 25: Fitz Toussaint, RB, Michigan
