Ben Kenney
June 8, 2024 7:30 am CT
While the Big Ten now includes former Pac-12 powers USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington entering the 2024 football season, the conference’s defense-first identity is unlikely to change.
Yes, the four West Coast teams bring some of the nation’s best offensive systems to the conference. But the Big Ten is still built on strong, hard-nosed, Midwest football — think Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan. The new offensive threats should only push each program to dig deeper on the defensive side of the football.
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This new dynamic and contrasting styles comes into play when ranking the Big Ten’s best defenders entering the 2024 season. The list is full of players from the conference’s traditional powers, while the newcomers boast many of its top offensive players.
That is seen in ProFootballFocus’ latest ranking of the top 10 highest-graded returning Big Ten edge rushers. The established names at the top of the list all play for conference’s veteran programs.
Related:The 10 pre-Luke Fickell Wisconsin players set to start for the 2024 Badgers
Wisconsin is one of those programs. Luke Fickell and his staff worked hard to-reshape the program’s linebacker room this offseason, adding several experienced players at every starting position. That included commitments from former William & Mary LB John Pius and former Syracuse LB Leon Lowery — two accomplished collegiate pass-rushers. That duo, along with veteran Darryl Peterson should lead the Badgers’ new pass-rushing unit.
Pius and Peterson were included toward the top of PFF’s list of the Big Ten’s highest-graded returning players at the position. The service is bullish on what the two can accomplish this season:
(Wisconsin also has players on PFF’s ranking of the Big Ten’s top quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs, interior offensive linemen and offensive tackles)
10
Anthony Smith (Minnesota)
Nov 4, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive lineman Anthony Smith (0) celebrates a tackle against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade:75.0
2023 Stats:15 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles
9
Aaron Lewis (Rutgers)
Nov 5, 2022; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) drops back to pass during the second half in front of Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman Aaron Lewis (71) at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade:75.9
2023 Stats:51 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass deflections
Get more (Rutgers) news, analysis, and opinions onRutgers Wire
8
Mikail Kamara (Indiana)
Indiana’s Mikail Kamara (6) works against Indiana’s Trey Wedig (75) during the Indiana football spring game at Memorial Stadaium on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times-USA TODAY NETWORK
PFF Grade: 76.9
2023 Stats (at James Madison):53 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 pass deflections
7
Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State)
Oct 28, 2023; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) sacks Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Brendan Sorsby (15) resulting in a fumble during the fourth quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade:77.5
2023 Stats:26 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 pass deflection
Get more (Penn State) news, analysis, and opinions on Nittany Lions Wire
6
Derrick Moore (Michigan)
Dec 2, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Derrick Moore (8) celebrates after sacking Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Deacon Hill (10) during the second half of the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade:77.8
2023 Stats:34 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, 1 forced fumbles, 2 pass deflections
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis, and opinions on Wolverines Wire
5
Darryl Peterson (Wisconsin)
Nov 12, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Darryl Peterson (17) reacts after a defensive stop during the first quarter as Iowa Hawkeyes offensive linemen Mason Richman (78) and Logan Jones (65) look on at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade:80.7
2023 Stats:47 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections
4
Donnell Brown (Maryland)
Sep 15, 2023; College Park, Maryland, USA; Maryland Terrapins defensive lineman Donnell Brown reacts after an interception during the fourth quarter against the Virginia Cavaliers at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade:81.3
2023 Stats:29 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 pass deflection
3
Josaiah Stewart (Michigan)
Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) throws a pass against Michigan Wolverines defensive end Josaiah Stewart (5) in the fourth quarter in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade:84.0
2023 Stats:38 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections
Get more (Michigan) news, analysis, and opinions on Wolverines Wire
2
John Pius (Wisconsin)
Oct 7, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers quarterback Tony Muskett (11) is sacked by William & Mary Tribe linebacker John Pius (8) during the first half at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports
PFF Grade:85.1
2023 Stats (at William & Mary):53 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble
1
Jack Sawyer (Ohio State)
Nov 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) celebrates a tackle during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium.Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch-USA TODAY NETWORK
PFF Grade:89.5
2023 Stats:48 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 2 pass deflections
Get more (Ohio State) news, analysis, and opinions on Buckeyes Wire
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