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The B1G has become home to some of the top defensive players in college football. And if you don’t believe me, you can refer back to last weekend’s NFL Draft when four former B1G defenders were drafted, three going in the top 12 spots.
A ton of defensive talent is returning to the conference for the 2019 season, which got us wondering, “who is the top candidate to win the B1G Defensive Player of the Year Award next season?”
Right now, it’s hard to narrow it down to just one, so instead it’s a list of top five candidates to claim the honor next fall. Here are the guys to keep an eye on next season:
Kenny Willekes, DL, Michigan State
An anchor along the line last season, Willekes was a key piece to Michigan State’s daunting defense. He finished with a B1G-best 20.5 tackles for loss and registered 8.5 sacks, landing him B1G Defensive Lineman of the Year honors. Willekes has the motor and ability to be the conference’s top defender in 2019, but the big question is health. Will he be the same player he was prior to the broken leg? Or will the injury hinder his ability on the field? If Willekes is at full strength, there aren’t a lot of offensive lineman capable of keeping him in check.
A.J. Epenesa, DL, Iowa
Epenesa isn’t just one of the best defensive ends in the conference, he’s one of the best in the country. With his size, speed, strength and active hands, the Hawkeye lineman is almost a lock to be a top 10 pick in next year’s NFL Draft. He’s able to shed offensive lineman without much trouble, and if they somehow manage to stay in front of him, he’s got the strength to push them into the quarterback’s back pocket. Epenesa tallied 10.5 sacks a year ago and was a menace along the defensive line. He won’t have as much help as last fall with Parker Hesse and Anthony Nelson gone, but this guy is a nightmare for offenses.
Joe Bachie, LB, Michigan State
Talk about a guy with a nose for the football. Bachie has been one of the top linebackers in the B1G for the last two seasons, capable of doing just about anything on the field. He’s registered over 200 tackles, 17 for loss, forced five fumbles and intercepted four passes. During Michigan State’s spring game, former Spartan star Darien Harris called Bachie the best linebacker he’s ever seen in East Lansing. The star linebacker is just another reason why the MSU defense is going to be incredibly talented again.
Chase Young, DL, Ohio State
When you combine Young’s speed with his high football IQ, you get one really talented player. Young is fast enough to beat guys off the edge, and is also intelligent enough to find the holes in the offensive line to chase down the quarterback or stuff the ball carrier. He also uses his height and long arms to bat down passes at the line of scrimmage pretty frequently. In two years, Young has racked up over 20 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. He could be in store for a big year as the leader of Ohio State’s defensive line this fall.
Yetur Gross-Matos, DL, Penn State
Arguably the most undervalued player on this list, Gross-Matos had a big year in 2018 that didn’t receive quite the attention it deserved. He finished the season with 20 tackles for loss and eight sacks for a team that finished 9-4. James Franklin is excited about the skill level at defensive end this fall, and Gross-Matos is a big reason why. He’s incredibly quick off the line and has the ability to chase down the quarterback or running back, even in space. Gross-Matos may not be the most powerful defender on this list, but his speed definitely makes up for it.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB