Big Ten Football: Top 5 Candidates to Win Defensive Player of the Year
Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Blake Sims (6) is pressured by Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Joey Bosa (97) during the first half of the 2015 Sugar Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Ranking the top five candidates to walk away as the winner of the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for the 2015 college football season.
The Big Ten is a conference with a long and storied history with dominant defenses and standout performers. Despite the advent of the spread and hurry-up offenses, the conference still likes to pride itself on being a defensive-oriented league with rugged, physical and mean defenders.
Related: Top 5 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year Candidates
As dominant as the Ohio State offense was last year, the Buckeyes defense was every bit as important to their run at the national championship last year and will be again this year with a defense loaded with playmakers at all three levels.
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The Buckeyes have seven Defensive Player of the Year Awards, including last year’s winner Joey Bosa who looks to be the first repeat winner since Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis in 2007-2008. Naturally with him returning, he’s one of five candidates to win this year’s award and he’s not the only Buckeye player on the list.
It was tough to whittle the list down to five with so many deserving candidates, so here are the players who are deserving of honorable mention.
Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple, Michigan State defensive end Shilique Calhoun, Wisconsin safety Michael Caputo and Maryland cornerback William Likely.
Without further ado, here are the top five candidates to be this year’s Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.
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