Michigan State defensive end Kenny Willekes was named the Big Ten's Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year and also earned first-team All-Big Ten defensive honors Tuesday.
Willekes, a former walk-on, snapped a streak of four straight years the award was won by Ohio State players. He is only the second MSU player to win the award for the Big Ten's top defensive lineman, joining Shilique Calhoun (2013).
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The 6-foot-4, 260-pound junior had 20.5 of his 76 tackles for lost yardage, a Big Ten high.