The Big Ten proved to be the best conference in all of college football this season, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. They have four teams ranked in the top seven nationally, and three of the top seven defenses. So, when the Big Ten announced their individual defensive award winners and all-conference defensive teams, there were plenty of future NFL stars mentioned. Here are the award winners, as voted on by both the coaches and media:
Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year: Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State
Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year: Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year: Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
First Team All-Big Ten (as voted by coaches)
DL - Jaleel Johnson, Iowa
DL - Taco Charlton, Michigan
DL - Chris Wormley, Michigan
DL - Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State
LB - Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
LB - Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
LB - T.J. Watt, Wisconsin
DB - Desmond King, Iowa
DB - Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
DB - Malik Hooker, Ohio State
DB - Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State
Second Team All-Big Ten (as voted by coaches)
DL - Ryan Glasgow, Michigan
DL - Malik McDowell, Michigan State
DL - Ifeadi Odenigbo, Northwestern
DL - Garrett Sickels, Penn State
LB - Josey Jewell, Iowa
LB - Anthony Walker Jr., Northwestern
LB - Vince Biegel, Wisconsin
DB - Delano Hill, Michigan
DB - Channing Stribling, Michigan
DB - Godwin Igwebuike, Northwestern
DB - Gareon Conley, Ohio State
DB - Sojourn Shelton, Wisconsin
First Team All-Big Ten (as voted by media)
DL - Carroll Phillips, Illinois
DL - Taco Charlton, Michigan
DL - Ifeadi Odenigbo, Northwestern
DL - Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State
LB - Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
LB - Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
LB - T.J. Watt, Wisconsin
DB - Desmond King, Iowa
DB - Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
DB - Malik Hooker, Ohio State
DB - Sojourn Shelton, Wisconsin
Second Team All-Big Ten (as voted by media)
DL - Jaleel Johnson, Iowa
DL - Ryan Glasgow, Michigan
DL - Chris Wormley, Michigan
DL - Malik McDowell, Michigan State
LB - Tegray Scales, Indiana
LB - Josey Jewell, Iowa
LB - Ben Gedeon, Michigan
DB - Rashard Fant, Indiana
DB - Channing Stribling, Michigan
DB - Nathan Gerry, Nebraska
DB - Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State