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 top returning outside linebackers in the league.
Previous rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C | DE | DT
1. Khaleke Hudson, Michigan
A third-team All-Big Ten selection, Michigan's Khaleke Hudson plays what's called the vipor position in the Wolverines defense.
The Big Ten lost a lot of firepower at outside linebacker from 2017, and Hudson leads a position in the league that will have a lot of new faces breaking into starting roles.
As a sophomore, Hudson had 83 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss and eight quarterback sacks. His best performance last season came against Minnesota, where he had three quarterback sacks. Hudson also had nine pass break-ups and two interceptions a year ago. He's a very versatile player on the edge.
2. Trevor Morris, Rutgers
Rutgers Trevor Morris was a tackling machine for the Scarlet Knights in 2017.
He led Rutgers with 118 total tackles, to go along with 3.5 tackles for loss. Morris didn't put up a lot of sack numbers, but he still is one of the top returning outside linebackers in the league based on his production a year ago.
3. Andrew Van Ginkel, Wisconsin
Wisconsin has been "Outside Linebacker U" ever since the Badgers made the switch to the 3-4 defense.
It appears the next great outside linebacker in their defense will be former Iowa Western C.C. standout Andrew Van Ginkel.
In a non-starting role a year ago, Van Ginkel still managed to put up 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 quarterback sacks, to go along with 39 total tackles. Look for Van Ginkel to contend for All-Big Ten honors when it's all said in done, based on the firepower that will surround him on the Badgers defense.
4. Nate Hall, Northwestern
Just like Wisconsin, Northwestern has been another Big Ten program that continues to get strong play at the outside linebacker position.
This year the Wildcats will be led by senior Nate Hall, who ranked second in the Big Ten a year ago with 16.5 tackles for loss. Hall also added 79 total tackles and five quarterback sacks a year ago. Over his career, he had 208 total tackles and 25 tackles for loss.
5. Andrew Dowell, Michigan State
Heading into the 2018 season, Andrew Dowell is the active tackle leader on Michigan State's roster with 163 career stops.
A year ago he ranked second for the Spartans 74 total tackles, to go along with 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and four pass break-ups. MSU has top 10 aspirations in 2018, and Dowell will be looked at to lead the Spartans defense.
