Without Chase Young or a clear-cut favorite in the mix for Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Daviyon Nixon exploded for Iowa and was an easy choice — even if few saw that one coming into the season.

This season feels a lot like last season. There isn’t necessarily an obvious choice right now.

Based on the history of this award, it’s likely to be someone up front or a linebacker. While defensive backs, especially corners, are a hot commodity in the NFL Draft, they are largely forgotten during award season. The last DB to win this award was Ohio State’s Mike Doss in 2002.

With that in mind, here are 10 names to keep an eye on:

10. DT Haskell Garrett (Ohio State)

One of the B1G’s best stories last season, Garrett was a welcome returnee up front for the Buckeyes. After being shot in the face while breaking up a fight before last season, he was one of the country’s top interior linemen. He was a Second Team All-America selection despite making only Third Team All-B1G. There’s no doubt he’ll be motivated by being snubbed in his own conference.

9. LB Jake Hansen (Illinois)

The Illini’s leader in tackles, TFLs, forced fumbles, interceptions, pass breakups and… did I miss anything? When one guy can lead the way in all these categories, he’s going to be a contender for these sorts of awards. The question is, can the Illini contend in the West as well in Bret Bielema’s first season?

8. DE Zach VanValkenburg (Iowa)

The Division II transfer from Hillsdale College certainly looked right at home in the B1G last year in earning Second Team All-B1G honors. He’ll be a key cog on what seems like an annual shuffling of Iowa’s defensive line, as the Hawkeyes will be replacing 3 starters for the third consecutive year. That’s why VanValkenburg could emerge as a leader, just like Nixon last season. For a defensive end to win the award, though, 3.5 sacks won’t cut it.

7. DE George Karlaftis (Purdue)

The former 4-star recruit stayed home to play for Purdue, and he’s done nothing to dispute the notion that he could’ve played anywhere in the B1G. He only played in 3 games last season due to COVID, but the pedigree is there after racking up 7.5 sacks as a true freshman. Look for him to get back on that level this season and be the focal point of every offensive game plan.

6. DE Zach Harrison (Ohio State)

The former 5-star recruit has been hyped up as the next great Ohio State edge rusher, and he hasn’t quite yet broken out. Is this the year? Harrison was very good as a sophomore, racking up PFF’s 10th-best grade on the edge — even though he only finished with 2 sacks. He mostly plays on passing downs, and if he can pump up that sack total, he will be in the mix.

5. S Brandon Joseph (Northwestern)

Joseph was terrific as a freshman, picking off 6 passes and earning All-America honors. The big thing working against Joseph is that defensive backs just can’t seem to win this award, as mentioned above. But in Joseph’s favor, he is already a household name, thanks to plays like his interception of Justin Fields in the B1G Championship.

4. DE Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan)

Hutchinson only played in 3 games due to injury, and Michigan sorely missed him. The former Third Team All-B1G redshirt junior was Michigan’s only selection on PFF’s Top 50 players, and he is primed to show why in new new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s defense. He is great against the run and is one of the best all-around defenders in the conference.

3. LB Olakunle Fatukasi (Rutgers)

Fatukasi was a tackling machine in 2020, leading the B1G with 11.2 per game to go along with 11 TFLs, which was second to only B1G Defensive Player of the Year Daviyon Nixon. If Fatukasi puts up those sorts of huge numbers again and there is no runaway sack leader like Chase Young in 2019, he will have a great shot at this. Rutgers hasn’t had a player win this award since it joined the B1G. In fact, the last time a player from a team other than the league’s top 5 programs (Ohio State, Iowa, Penn State, Michigan and Wisconsin) won the award was Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan in 2010.

2. LB Jack Sanborn (Wisconsin)

Sanborn led the Badgers in tackles in each of the last 2 seasons, and as the leader of a defense that is almost always ranked in the top 10 nationally, he is a prime candidate for this award.

1. LB Micah McFadden (Indiana)

Indiana has come a long way from annually having one of the worst defenses, and McFadden has been a big part of that turnaround. He led the B1G with 6 sacks last season and was third with 10.5 TFLs. The Hoosiers’ leading tackler will have plenty of chances to shine in marquee games against Iowa, Cincinnati, Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan.