11:44 AM ET ESPN.com staff With more than 50 Big Ten players participating in the annual NFL scouting combine, there’s no debate whatsoever that the conference is losing quite a bit of talent. But there is some question as to which player will be the most difficult to move on without. So we decided to poll our Big Ten writers: Besides the quarterbacks, which player will be the hardest to replace this spring? Here’s what they had to say: Brian Bennett: Penn State DT Austin Johnson This is an unconventional choice, since few would say that Johnson was the best non-quarterback in the Big Ten last year. And his teammate defensive end Carl Nassib also leaves big cleats to fill after winning several national awards. But there simply aren’t many players — or human beings, for that matter — who have the size and speed combination that Johnson brought to Penn State’s interior defense. You don’t simply duplicate a 6-foot-4, 323-pound run-stuffer who also can make plays in the backfield. I could make the case that Nassib racked up his high sack totals precisely because Johnson — as well as fellow defensive tackle Anthony Zettel — required so much attention inside. Coaches will tell you that stud defensive tackles are often the hardest players to find, so it makes sense that Johnson would be incredibly difficult to replace. Penn State has some guys ready to step in at the position, with redshirt junior Parker Cothren likely next in line. But matching Johnson’s impact and production won’t be easy. Mitch Sherman: Michigan State WR Aaron Burbridge We removed quarterbacks from this debate, but that won’t stop me from talking about one of them…
Continue Reading: Big Ten roundtable: Which non-QB is most difficult to replace?
