Michigan's Denard Robinson is top Big Ten QB in ESPN.com ranking

By Nick Baumgardner University of Michigan Sports Reporter

Posted on Tue, May 22, 2012 : 12:46 p.m.

He threw too many interceptions last season, was often bailed out by the jump ball and consistently struggled with his accuracy.

But Denard Robinson has always been a high-risk, high-reward player. And in one writer's opinion, Robinson's reward makes his the best returning quarterback in the Big Ten.

Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, above, was tabbed the sixth-best player in the Big Ten by ESPN.com.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

ESPN.com Big Ten writer Brian Bennett unveiled his list of the 10 best players in the league for the 2012 season, and the dynamic Michigan football quarterback came in at No. 6 -- the highest signal caller on the list.

"There might not be a more exciting player in the country than 'Shoelace,' who's put together more heroics than a comic-book character the past two seasons," Bennett wrote. "But his passing remains suspect, as evidenced by his Big Ten-worst 15 interceptions last season.

"The word out of spring practice was that Robinson had improved his fundamentals and looked sharp as a passer. If he can add accuracy to his other many talents, the sky is the limit for him and the Wolverines this season."

Bennett's top-ranked player in the league is Wisconsin running back Montee Ball. Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead is No. 2, Ohio State defensive end John Simon No. 3 and Michigan State defensive end William Gholston No. 4.

No other Wolverines made the list.

Tags: Denard Robinson, Wolverines,

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Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan sports for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.