A lot of really talented defensive backs will be returning to the B1G in 2021. Only one can be the best.

Pro Football Focus recently named the player it thought was the best defensive back in the conference entering the 2021 season. That one player is Northwestern safety Brandon Joseph, who is fresh off an outstanding freshman campaign with the Wildcats.

Wednesday morning, PFF released its list of the 10 best defensive backs returning to college football next season. Joseph was the only DB from the B1G included, coming in at No. 10.

Joseph was an All-American selection and named the B1G Newcomer of the Year after helping lead Northwestern to a 7-2 season and a B1G West title. He made 52 tackles, defended 8 passes, collected 6 interceptions and had a tackle for loss as a redshirt freshman in Evanston.

Not many players in the B1G had a year quite like that.

Replicating that kind of year will be a tough task for Joseph, but he flashed incredible potential in his first full season on the field with the Wildcats. He’s going to continue to be a nightmare matchup for opposing quarterbacks and wide receivers throughout the conference in 2021.