Big Ten links: Jack Miller's decision, Braxton Miller's picture & more

We have another ?man bites dog story? with news of Michigan center Jack Miller giving up football because of his long-term health concerns.

Good for Miller for considering his future. Wonder how many more stories like this we?ll hear the next 2-4 years?

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This was something Ohio State fans didn't want to hear: Braxton Miller may have committed an NCAA violation with a potential endorsement photo he posted on his Instagram account.

Miller posted a photo of himself with a local trainer he has been working with next to nutritional products. Miller also had links on his Instagram page to nutritional information pages about products that could be ordered through Miller.

What I?m miffed by: How could Miller have thought this was OK? He has been on campus for several years and surely has gone through NCAA seminars on dos/don?ts. Just bizarre.

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Iowa has given Jake Rudock his release with no strings attached. So, is Rudock now one step closer to joining Michigan, as some rumor? Hmmm.

Rudock reportedly took a visit to Michigan last week, and has been rumored as a potential graduate transfer prospect for the Wolverines. Asked about Michigan/Rudock, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said he couldn't get specific.

"I signed an open release ?? I didn't say open, but release is the right word," Ferentz said. "I don't want to use the word permission; that's kind of like I'm a czar or something like that.

"We signed a release basically with no strings attached. If he chooses to leave, I want him to have opportunities. I think that's the only fair way to do this, the best for thing for him."

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It looks like Michigan State WR Monty Madaris has a shot to finally live up the recruiting hype that followed him to East Lansing.

Mike Griffith of Mlive.com says on Tuesday, when Michigan State revealed its depth chart for the start of spring drills, Madaris' name was in bold typeface, signifying him the current starter at the "Z" receiver position.

"He won't be under the radar very much longer, he's at that point … this is his time, junior year," wideout coach Terrence Samuel said. ?I?ve always said he's one of the most aggressive as far as blocking or running routes. He runs angry, like a Dez Bryant. If you're going to tackle him, you're going to pay for it."

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Dan Duggan of NJ.com has five potential breakout players in Rutgers? spring practice.

Keep an eye on LB Isaiah Johnson, a JC transfer with a good shot to start in the middle of the Scarlet Knights defense with Kevin Snyder gone.

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How about some Hawkeye football? Here are five Hawkeyes' questions as spring drills open.

Iowa needs a couple of offensive tackles. And what is gonna happen at QB? Gonna be a fun spring in Iowa City.

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Speaking of QB uncertainty ? Look, we all know Purdue has myriad issues to resolve on the gridiron this spring. And one of the most pressing is quarterback. Who is the man? Danny Etling? Austin Appleby? David Blough?

If the uncertainty at quarterback isn?t unsettling enough, the Boilermakers also are dealing with a receiving corps that?s the ultimate work-in-progress. Stay tuned.

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Remember the rancor Penn State?s James Franklin caused last year when he held some football camps in the South?

Well, look who is following suit: Michigan?s Jim Harbaugh.

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With Iowa?s season over, Scott Dochterman of the Cedar Rapids Gazette takes a look at what?s ahead next season. And, things don?t look so bad.

The Hawkeyes will miss three regular contributing seniors in Aaron White, center Gabe Olaseni and guard Josh Oglesby. Back will be Adam Woodbury, Jarrod Uthoff, Mike Gesell and Anthony Clemmons-among others.

?I feel very good about the future,? Iowa Coach Fran McCaffery said. ?We?re going to miss that group. They were very, very consistent. They played a lot of games, and they were incredibly productive. But they also showed a great example of how to do it, and that?s what I think bodes well for the young guys as we move forward.?