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College Football

Top 10 B1G defenders for the 2017 season

Garrett Kroeger

By Garrett Kroeger

Published:

The B1G has some of the best defensive position units in all of college football.

Ohio State and Michigan’s defensive lines are among the top in the country and Wisconsin’s linebackers are quietly some of the most talented out there. However, the conference has countless of defensive playmakers.

With the plethora of defensive talent, there were some playmakers that missed out on the top 10 defenders in conference. Some examples are Penn State safety Marcus Allen and Nebraska safety Kieron Williams. But without further-a-do, here are the top 10 defenders in the B1G in 2017:

10. T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin – Linebacker

2016 stats: 89 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and three interceptions

While Edwards’ teammate Jack Cichy would have been on this if not for an ACL injury, the 6-foot-1, 245 pound junior is no slouch himself.

For the second consecutive season, Edwards led the Badgers in tackles. He also finished last season on a high note as Edwards was named the Cotton Bowl defensive MVP after recording 10 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble against Western Michigan.

Although, Edwards might not be the best linebacker in the B1G, he is still one of the best in the nation.

9. Steven Richardson, Minnesota – Defensive Tackle

2016 stats: 31 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and seven sacks

Richardson may be small in terms of height, he only stands 5-foot-11, but he plays big.

Last year, Richardson consistently drew double teams. But he still gave opposing offensive linemen fits.

Richardson also plays with a chip on his shoulder. The Chicago native was not recruited by Northwestern because of his height. Last season against the Wildcats, Richardson recorded two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

 

The senior tackle should make even more noise in 2017.

8. Godwin Igwebuike, Northwestern – Safety

2016 stats: 108 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two interceptions

Igwebuike is hands down the best defensive back in the B1G.

He led Northwestern in tackles last year and was ninth in the nation with six solo tackles per game. Igwebuike is also second among FBS defensive backs with 163 career solo tackles.

If Northwestern wants to get into the upper echelon of the B1G, it will need Igwebuike to bring his game day in and day out.

7. Sam Hubbard, Ohio State – Defensive End

2016 stats: 46 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks

Ohio State’s defensive line is deep. But Hubbard finds away to leave an impact. And the crazy thing is that he is only in his third season playing defensive end.

Before becoming a Buckeye, Hubbard was a safety. With the past defensive back experience, brings the ability to both rush the quarterback or to drop back in coverage.

Hubbard has size, strength and athleticism that should allow him to be a dominant player once again for the Scarlet and Gray.

6. Rashan Gary, Michigan – Defensive End

2016 stats: 23 tackles, five tackles for loss and a 0.5 sack

Gary had an O.K. year as a freshman. But entering this season, Gary is receiving preseason hype left and right. And it is not surprising why.

The sophomore is very, very fast while standing 6-foot-5, 290 pounds. Heck, Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown said Gary has the potential to be the defensive lineman he has ever seen and coached.

https://twitter.com/JoshNorris/status/774654187577704448

If Gary lives up to the hype, he has the potential to skyrocket up this list and become the B1G’s best defender.

5. Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State – Defensive End

2016 stats: 29 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks

While several of Lewis’ teammates get the love, the 6-foot-3, 26 pound lineman is a stud himself.

Last year, Lewis won the B1G’s Defensive Lineman of the Year. Which is why it was a shocker that he returned for his senior season in Columbus.

Lewis also proved he was not just a product of having former Buckeye Joey Bosa on the opposite side of him. While he is apart of the nation’s deepest defensive line, Lewis can still contend for the B1G’s Defensive Player of the Year.

4. Maurice Hurst, Michigan – Defensive Tackle 

2016 stats: 33 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks

The love for Hurst is way overdue. In fact, he is the pillar of Michigan’s defensive line.

Hurst is explosive. When it comes to fast-twitch, fast off ball defensive lineman, Hurst maybe the best of them all.

Hurst may not get the love that his teammate Rashan Gary is receiving, but expect a lot of belly rubs after big plays this season by him.

3. Nick Bosa, Ohio State – Defensive End

2016 stats: 29 tackles, seven tackles for loss and five sacks

Despite being a freshman on the deepest defensive line in the country, Bosa saw the field a lot. In fact, Bosa played in all 13 games and earned 332 snaps. And he is only going to get better.

Because he played with Tyquan Lewis and Sam Hubbard, Ohio State utilized Bosa as a defensive tackle to play all three at the same time. That shows his versatility.

 

Expect Bosa to have a sophomore breakout like his older brother and former Buckeye, Joey Bosa.

2. Tegray Scales, Indiana – Linebacker

2016 stats: 125 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, seven sacks and an interception

Scales had a phenomenal 2016. The linebacker led the league in both tackles and tackles for loss. That accomplishment helped Scales become the first recognized Hooisers linebacker on an All-American team (SI’s) since Van Waiters in 1987.

His return to Indiana gives new head coach Tom Allen a huge building block on defense.

Scales typically does not receive much love for his work, but few defenders can produce the type of numbers that he can.

1. Josey Jewell, Iowa – Linebacker

2016 stats: 124 tackles, six tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks

Jewell has been one of the best defenders in the B1G for a majority of his career. The Decorah, Iowa native is the only player Kirk Ferentz’s 18 year as Iowa head coach to be named a permanent captain as a sophomore.

While the 6-foot-1, 240 pound linebacker may not scream “super athlete”, Jewell is smart and savvy.

 

The soon-to-be four-year starter has recorded 282 career tackles, which is 19th all-time in school history.

Jewell is my favorite to win the B1G Defensive Player of the Year and he might just be the best linebacker in the country.

Garrett Kroeger