Ranking the Top 5 B1G Players At Each Position — Defense

This is a continuation of the Top 5 rankings that I started last week, but today we head over to the defensive side of the ball.

Only two consensus members of the All-Big Ten team return on defense from last season, and only 16 defenders total return from the First-, Second-, or Third teams.

That kind of turnover makes a list like this a bit difficult, especially for somebody like me who doesn’t get to watch as much of the college football Saturday as I would like. Still, I’ve never let something like a lack of knowledge keep me from giving my opinion.

So here’s my Top 5 players at each position on defense, including a “Hybrid” grouping, since so many teams employ the safety/linebacker guy now.

And again, don’t worry, I’ll still do my full Big Ten positional ratings here shortly.

Defensive Linemen

Chase Young, Ohio State — B1G-best 10.5 sacks while playing on two bad ankles last year.
AJ Epenesa, Iowa — Also a B1G-best 10.5 sacks as a sophomore.
Kenny Willekes, Michigan State — Had 3.5 tackles for loss in 26-6 loss to OSU last year.
Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State — Second in B1G to Willekes (20.5) with 20.0 TFLs.
Carter Coughlin, Minnesota — One of five DEs who could claim to be the best in the B1G.

One more to watch: Robert Landers, Ohio State — The quickest nose tackle in the conference.

Linebackers

Markus Bailey, Purdue — Led the Big Ten in solo tackles with 82.
Joe Bachie, Michigan State — Coaches had him as a First-Team All-B1G last year.
Paddy Fisher, Northwestern — NU middle linebacker finished second in B1G in tackles last year.
Blake Gallagher, Northwestern — Led conference with 127 total tackles last season.
Malik Harrison, Ohio State — Fifth among returning B1G LBs in solo tackles last year.

One more to watch: Micah Parsons, Penn State – May have more potential than any other linebacker in the B1G.

Cornerbacks

Lavert Hill, Michigan — Consensus All-B1G selection last year.
Jeff Okudah, Ohio State — Expected to be the next in line as first-round OSU corners.
Josiah Scott, Michigan State — Only played in five games last season due to preseason surgery, led B1G with 1.8 passes defended per game.
Damon Arnette, Ohio State — Three-year starter for the Buckeyes undertaking his third position coach in three years.
Dicaprio Bootle, Nebraska — Led B1G with 15 PBUs last year.

One more to watch: John Reid, Penn State — Veteran who missed 2017, but bounced back well last year.

Safeties

Jordan Fuller, Ohio State — Three-year starter for the Buckeyes, led all B1G DBs with 61 solo tackles.
David Dowell, Michigan State — Three-year starter was a First-Team All-B1G selection in 2017.
Geno Stone, Iowa — First-year starter last year was productive with 4 INTs.
Shaun Wade, Ohio State — Starting nickel for OSU last year, will have larger role in 2019. May be underrated here.
Josh Metellus — Three-year starter who has seen it all.

One more to watch: Antoine Winfield, Minnesota — Has had a tumultuous career, but when he’s on the field, he produces.

Hybrids

Antoine Brooks, Maryland — Second-Team All-B1G selection by the coaches last year, finished with 68 tackles.
Khaleke Hudson, Michigan — Down year last year with 44 tkls/3.5 TFLs after 82/18 in 2017. Which season was the real Hudson?
Marcelino Ball, Indiana — Led Hoosiers with 7.5 tackles for loss last season, third with 59 tackles.
Brendon White, Ohio State — This will be his first year in this position, but big numbers are expected.