Big Ten Defensive Honors Awarded: Nassib Wins DPOY
On Monday night the Big Ten released its Defense and Special Teams honors given out by the coaches and media. Highlighting the class is Penn State’s Carl Nassib, who received the Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and Big Ten First Team Defensive Honors. The former walk-on leads the country with 15.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. He is also second in the nation with 19.5 tackles for loss.
Despite being named the Defensive Player of the Year, Nassib was beat out by Ohio State’s Joey Bosa. The Buckeye defender is a candidate (if he renounces his eligibility) to be the first overall pick in April of 2016. A somewhat surprising note is that no school received two awards in the Defense/Special Teams selection this year. Only players from Rutgers, Northwestern, Michigan State, Minnesota, and Purdue missed out in this award category.
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Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year:
Carl Nassib, Penn State
Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year:
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year:
Joey Bosa, Ohio State
Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year:
Joe Schobert, Wisconsin
Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year:
Desmond King, Iowa
Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year:
Griffin Oakes, Indiana
Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year:
Sam Foltz, Nebraska
Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year:
William Likely, Maryland The conference also announced its All Big Ten Defenses Monday night. Both the coaches and the media had their own rankings.
The 2015 First Team All-Big Ten Defense, as selected by #B1GFootball coaches. pic.twitter.com/1ydxIllbpi
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 30, 2015
The 2015 First Team All-Big Ten Defense, as selected by #B1GFootball media. pic.twitter.com/ny85JL2EYB
— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 30, 2015
Among those receiving the honor from both the coaches and the media were Yannick Ngakoue, Shilique Calhoun, Joey Bosa, Carl Nassib, Anthony Walker Jr, Joe Shobert, Desmond King, Jabrill Peppers, and Jourdan Lewis.
The All Big Ten Special Teams awards were given to Will Likely, Sam Foltz, and Griffin Oakes.
The remainder of the Big Ten Awards will be announced Tuesday night at 6 pm on the Big Ten Network.