31) Jeremiah Hatch, senior OL, Kansas
Some people will look at last season's results and address this selection with a giant "huh?". But last season shouldn't be used a a definitive answer for the question: just how good is Jeremiah Hatch?
Hatch was considered an excellent catch for the Jayhawks after his time at Dallas Carter, and he showed up quickly after arriving at Kansas, starting 12 of 13 games at tackle as a redshirt freshman. That included nine starts at the tough left tackle position, which can't be oversold. He's listed at 6-foot-3, but is probably closer to 6-2. And yet he started at the most difficult position on the offensive line, a position that he hadn't played before that season.
In doing so, he brought stability to a struggling Kansas offensive line and helped the Jayhawks to eight wins, including a victory in the Insight Bowl.
In 2009, he moved back to his more natural center position, starting all 12 games and showing a level of mobility that's rare for a 315-pound player.
Then, 2010 happened. A poor conditioning session led to his weight ballooning above 330 pounds, and at times up to 340. Not surprisingly, back problems came with the added weight, and Hatch was a shadow of his former self. The same mobility that made him a special player and potential All-Big 12 selection was gone.
The good news for Kansas fans is that Hatch showed up in the spring in the shape of his life. His weight was back down to 307, even less than what he weighed in strong 2008 and 2009 campaigns. And he appeared to regain that mobility and talent that was lost.
Not surprisingly, Hatch was named to the Rimington Award Watch List. And if this past spring was any indication, he should be on All-Big 12 watch lists for this fall as well.
2010 Stats: None
No. 32: Texas Tech OL Lonnie Edwards
No. 33: Missouri DE Jacquies Smith
No. 34: Oklahoma WR Kenny Stills
No. 35: Texas WR Mike Davis
No. 36: Texas DE Jackson Jeffcoat
No. 37: Kansas State DB David Garrett
No. 38: Oklahoma OL Gabe Ikard
No. 39: Texas Tech RB Eric Stephens
No. 40: Baylor OL Philip Blake
No. 41: Missouri LB Zaviar Gooden
No. 42: Texas DL Alex Okafor
No. 43: Texas A&M DL Tony Jerod-Eddie
No. 44: Kansas RB James Sims
No. 45: Texas Tech S Cody Davis
No. 46: Iowa State CB Leonard Johnson
No. 47: Kansas State S Ty Zimmerman
No. 48: Baylor DE/LB Tevin Elliot
No. 49: Kansas State DE Brandon Harold
No. 50: Kansas DE Toben Opurum