The 2011 position rankings continue with the most important spot on the field. After several down years, quarterback became a strength in the Big Ten last season as six signal-callers ranked among the top 20 nationally in pass efficiency . Three of those quarterbacks return along with promising young players like Illinois’ Nathan Scheelhaase and Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez . But the Big Ten quarterback landscape is shrouded in mystery. Reigning offensive player of the year Denard Robinson is transitioning to a new offense. All-Big Ten selection Dan Persa is coming off of a serious injury. Two teams that shared the league title in 2010 — Wisconsin and Ohio State — have very shaky situations at quarterback. One quarterback who could transfer into the league, Russell Wilson , would change the rankings quite a bit. These rankings take into account both past performance and potential for the 2011 season. Here are the top 10 quarterbacks entering 2011: 1. Denard Robinson, Michigan, junior: Robinson will have an adjustment period and likely some growing pains along with it. He won’t run the ball as much as he did in 2010. But when it comes to pure playmaking skills and pure athleticism, Robinson is unmatched in the league. His record-settling accomplishments in 2010 shouldn’t be overlooked and neither should the strides he made as a passer. He must show greater overall consistency and the ability to attack upper-tier defenses, but he’ll be working with a good crop of receivers and behind a solid offensive line. 2. Dan Persa, Northwestern, senior: How Persa bounces back from a ruptured Achilles’ tendon could determine Northwestern’s season, but his progress so far has been encouraging. He has been well ahead of schedule throughout the rehab process. If Persa is indeed 100 percent, Northwestern should have one of the Big Ten’s most dangerous offenses. Arguably no Big Ten player meant more to his team than Persa did to Northwestern in 2010. He has a deep and talented receiving corps at his disposal and will operate behind the nation’s second-most experienced offensive line. Northwestern must find ways to take some of the running burden off of Persa. 3. Kirk Cousins , Michigan State, senior: Cousins is the most-experienced Big Ten quarterback and, unlike Robinson and Persa, doesn’t have major question marks lurking over him. The Spartans’ signal-caller had a terrific 2010 campaign, passing for 2,825 yards with 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, and ranking 18th nationally in efficiency (150.7 rating). He fought through injuries during the second half of the season to lead Michigan State to a share of the league title. Cousins must eliminate performances like Iowa and Alabama, and he’ll be operating behind a new-look offensive line this fall. The senior has a good group of receivers and tight ends, led by B.J. Cunningham and Keshawn Martin . 4. Nathan Scheelhaase, Illinois, sophomore: If you can’t tell, I’m pretty excited about Scheelhaase’s prospects for 2011. He finished a very solid freshman season by making major strides in bowl practice and showcasing improved passing skills in the Texas Bowl against Baylor. Scheelhaase is a dynamic athlete who rushed for 868 yards and five touchdowns last season and will work behind a solid offensive line in 2011. He must continue to take steps as a passer, especially since Illinois doesn’t have much proven depth at receiver other than A.J. Jenkins . Scheelhaase also has displayed good leadership and maturity, two areas where he should continue to thrive. 5. Taylor Martinez, Nebraska, sophomore: Martinez looked like two different players during and up-and-down freshman season. When healthy, he was just as dangerous as Michigan’s Robinson with the ball in his hands. Martinez racked up 112 or more rushing yards in five of Nebraska’s first seven contests, and had 435 yards of offense in a win against Oklahoma State. But injuries and a loss of confidence derailed the second half of his season. Martinez must show he can stay healthy and, if not, that he can play through pain in a physical conference. His receiving corps should be decent despite few proven players, but Nebraska’s offensive line is a question mark. 6. James Vandenberg , Iowa, junior: Vandenberg played sparingly in 2010, but his impressive performance in relief of Ricky Stanzi in 2009 shouldn’t be overlooked. He held his own against a talented Ohio State defense at The Shoe in a game that could have sent Iowa to the Rose Bowl. While he hasn’t been on the big stage in a while, Vandenberg continues to make strides behind the scenes and emerged this spring as Iowa’s clear-cut leader on offense. This ranking is clearly based heavily on how Vandenberg projects for 2011, but he has the tools and the makeup to be a good one for the Hawkeyes

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Ranking the Big Ten quarterbacks