Best Returning Big Ten Defensive Linemen

One of the foundations of Big Ten football is the talent up front. Teams at the top of the conference typically have some of the best talent in the country on the line of scrimmage. On the defensive side, some of these great players have gone on to have incredible careers in the pros, including TJ Watt, Joey Bosa, and more. Continuing our Best Returning series, we take a look at the Big Ten’s best returning defensive linemen for 2024.

4. Danny Striggow-Minnesota

In fourth place is Minnesota’s Danny Striggow. Striggow finished his 2023 season with 51 total tackles, six sacks, seven tackles for loss and a forced fumble. His six sacks placed him in the top 10 sack leaders in the Big Ten conference last season. Striggow also finished first on the Golden Gophers defense in sacks and tackles for loss, earning Striggow an All-Big Ten honorable mention. This season, Striggow should play a huge role in the Gophers improving their defense from last season. The Big Ten is growing and becoming more competitive. Having Striggow as the anchor of the Gophers defense is what they need to stay competitive.

3. Jack Sawyer-Ohio State

Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer is considered one of the best edge defenders in the country. Many believed he could have been a solid pick for some teams in this year’s NFL Draft. The All-Big Ten Honorable Mention finished in the top eight in the conference in sacks with six and a half in 2023. That gives Sawyer 14 sacks in his career, which is the most on any Ohio State defense.

He also had 10 tackles for loss in 2023, which tied him for the most on the OSU defense last season and brought his career total to 19.5. That’s the second-most tackles for loss among returning Buckeyes. He also had 48 total tackles, two pass deflections and a forced fumble.

Sawyer is expected to have a huge season for the Buckeyes in 2024. Fans are waiting for him to truly dominate like great Ohio State edge rushers like Bosa did before him. That kind of monster season is needed to return the Buckeyes to the top of the new-look Big Ten.

2. Mason Graham-Michigan

To win a national championship, you have to be good on defense, especially on the inside. Mason Graham proved that when he won the 2023 Rose Bowl Game Defensive MVP award after making a huge tackle for loss in overtime. He also had four total tackles in the game and added three more against Washington in the National Championship. Graham finished his National Championship-winning season with 35 total tackles, three sacks, seven-and-a-half tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one pass deflection. This earned Graham Second-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big Ten honors.

Some consider Graham to be the best returning defensive tackle in the country. He’s great at doing his job of disrupting things in the middle of the line of scrimmage. With Michigan going through some personnel changes after Jim Harbaugh returned to the NFL, Graham will be a big part of the conversation for the Wolverines. There’s only one other defensive tackle in the Big Ten, but we think he’s a little bit better.

1. Tyleik Williams-Ohio State

Not only does Ohio State have one of the best edge defenders in the country, they also have one of the best interior defenders. Tyleik Williams is a problem for opposing defenses. What puts Williams at the top of our list, however, is the productivity he’s getting. He finished 2023 with 54 total tackles, three sacks, 10 tackles for loss, one fumble recovery and five pass deflections. Williams’ 10 tackles for loss last season is the most among returning defensive linemen in the Big Ten and earned him both Second-Team All-Big Ten and All-American honors.

Williams is another Buckeye who was thought to be an early contributor to an NFL team if he entered the draft. Instead, he decided to stay with Ohio State, just like Sawyer. They think this year’s team could make a run at the national championship. Having Williams back certainly helps the Buckeyes’ chances.