As the 2018 season draws nearer by the day, it’s time to start taking a look at some of the top players to watch in the Big Ten Conference.
We continue our Ranking the Big Ten series today with a look at the defensive end position
1. Nick Bosa, Ohio State
Ohio State's defense will be led by returning All-American and Big Ten defensive lineman of the year Nick Bosa.
If Bosa were draft eligible last season, he certainly would've been a first-round pick based on his production a year ago.
Bosa led the Buckeyes in tackles for loss with 16, along with a team-high eight quarterback sacks. Bosa leads a position group that's arguably deeper and more talented than any in the conference.
2. Rashan Gary, Michigan
Heading into the season, Michigan defensive end Rashan Gary will lead this loaded Wolverine defense.
The former five-star prospect is regarded as a top five overall pick in the early 2019 draft projections.
Gary was an All-Big Ten selection as a sophomore, Gary had 66 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and six quarterback sacks.
3. Chase Winovich, Michigan
Gary is getting all the NFL attention right now, but you can argue Chase Winovich is just as important to the Wolverines defense.
The 6-foot-3, 253-pound Winovich was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and a second-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches. He also won Michigan's "Blue Collar" Award this past season.
As a junior, Winovich put up 79 total tackles and a whopping 18 tackles for loss. He also tied Gary with a team-high eight quarterback sacks. Nebraska's young offensive tackles are certainly going to have their work cut out for them in Ann Arbor this September.
4. Anthony Nelson, Iowa
The 6-foot-7, 271-pound Anthony Nelson led Iowa in sacks in 2017 with 7.5.
This will be a Hawkeye defense that lost all of their main linebackers and guys on the back end, so Nelson will be looked to lead the way up front in 2018.
Nelson was a third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2017 and is regarded as the top returning pass rusher in the Big Ten West.
5. Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
Michigan State junior defensive end Kenny Willekes led the Spartans in both sacks (7) and tackles for loss (14.5) as a sophomore.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound Willekes was a third-team All-Big Ten selection, as he rounds out our ranking list at defensive end.
Like most MSU players, Willekes redshirted, so he'll be a fourth-year junior this season, and a key piece to the Spartans defense as they hope to build off last year's 10-win season.
- OLB
- WR
- PRO
- OT
- APB
- DT
- C
- SDE
- SDE
- OT
