The Big Ten honored its best on defense this fall, highlighted by Penn State junior defensive end Abdul Carter winning the Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year.

Also honored on Tuesday were Iowa senior linebacker Jay Higgins, who captured the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year award, and Ohio State sophomore safety Caleb Downs winning the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year.

Carter had a monster season in Happy Valley to help the Nittany Lions earn a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game and a potential shot at a national title. He had 54 total tackles, 33 of them solo, and 10 sacks. He also forced 2 fumbles for good measure, part of a fierce Penn State defense that will now face mighty Oregon this Saturday night in Indianapolis.

Higgins put up ridiculous tackle totals, with 118 total tackles and 49 solo. He had 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery, so he was very active in wreaking havoc in addition to all those tackles for the Hawkeyes. Higgins has a nose for the ball that not many linebackers do, which was shown by his 4 interceptions in 2024.

Downs showed in 2024 that he is not afraid to come up from his safety position and make stops. He piled up 61 total tackles, 33 of them solo. He also had an interception, helping the Buckeyes defense swallow most of its opponents up this fall. Downs made an immediate impact for Ohio State’s unit after transferring from Alabama.