The 2023 NFL Draft was a notable draft for the Big Ten conference. They finished with 55 overall draft picks, second to only the SEC’s 62. The talent from the All-Big Ten conference teams was decimated from the Draft as a result. This is especially true when looking at the secondary, as only three players are returning for the 2023-2024 season. However, there remains a clear-cut five individuals who stand out above the rest entering this campaign.
Big Ten’s Best Returning Defensive Backs for 2023
5: Tyler Nubin – Minnesota
Standing at a lanky 6’2”, Nubin returns as the best coverage safety in the conference. The ball-hawking fifth-year senior will be looked upon as the leader of the Golden Gopher defense, and should again make an immediate impact. He finished last season with four interceptions, good for fifth in the conference and best on the team. He added 55 tackles, a forced fumble, and three pass deflections to cement his status as a true playmaker. For his efforts, Nubin was named Second-Team All-Big Ten. Some analysts and scouts have already tabbed him as a late-first to early-second-round draft prospect with another solid showing.
4: Rod Moore – Michigan
While Nubin earned all the praise and accolades as a pass defender, Moore is perhaps the most balanced returning safety in America. According to PFF, Moore was one of only two Power Five safeties to earn an 80-plus grade in both pass and run coverage. The other, Alabama’s Brian Branch, ended up being a second-round NFL draft selection. Moore led the Wolverines with four interceptions, tied for seventh-best at the position nationally. He also led the secondary with 71 tackles en route to an appearance in the College Football Playoffs. PFF tabs Moore as the fifth-best returning safety in 2023. Moore looks to capitalize off a breakout season as one of the vocal leaders on a vaunted Michigan defense. He should be the Big Ten’s best-returning safety heading into 2023.
3. Will Johnson – Michigan
Surprise, surprise. Another Wolverine makes the list as Michigan looks to replicate a dominant top-five defense from a year ago. Will Johnson was a key contributor to their success in 2022. The former five-star recruit made an immediate impact, snagging three interceptions. Two of those came in man coverage, where Johnson really thrives as a lockdown press corner. His 91.1 grade in man coverage (PFF) was tops for a CB in the Power Five. He’s also slotted as the third-best returning corner in all of college football. Johnson’s long frame for the position (6’2”) provides him with elite ball skills and aggressiveness on 50/50 balls. With the Wolverines entering 2023 with tons of hype and lofty expectations, look for Johnson to build upon his standout freshman campaign.
2. Cooper DeJean – Iowa
One could joke about Iowa’s historically abysmal 2022 offense all they want. What can’t be taken away from the Hawkeyes is a defensive unit that ranked second in the entire country in terms of total defense. DeJean was a big reason why. The most versatile cornerback in the conference, he was the only one in the country with an 85-plus grade in both pass coverage and run support. DeJean burst onto the scene in 2022 with an absurd stat line. 75 tackles, three of those for a loss, five interceptions (tied for fourth among Power Five CBs), and three of those returned for a touchdown. He also added on eight pass deflections and 15 run-defense stops (best for a CB in the nation).
DeJean is rated as the fifth-best returning corner in the country according to PFF. He was named Second-Team All-Big Ten for his performance. One could even argue he deserved First-Team honors over teammate Riley Moss. The Hawkeye defense could take a slight step back in 2023, but with Moss gone to the NFL, look for DeJean to have another big year as the unquestioned leader on defense. He has all the tools to become the Big Ten’s top returning cornerback.
1. Kalen King – Penn State
As the star name on the Nittany Lions 2022 defense, Joey Porter Jr wasn’t targeted very often. As a result, Kalen King was often picked on as the team’s #2 corner. He didn’t seem to care. King was the definition of a lockdown corner in 2022, posting three interceptions and 16 pass breakups, good for third in the country among CBs. He also added a forced fumble and fumble recovery. King graded out at 93.3 in single coverage with an 18.3 passer rating allowed (PFF). Those marks were the best in the nation. He’s slotted as the number two rated returning cornerback, and the Big Ten’s best returning defensive back. However, there’s a real argument for his placement at the top.
Heading into his junior year, King will be the top player on a PSU defense that’s already projected to place in the top five. He was named Third-Team All-Big Ten last season, but with Porter gone to the NFL, there’s no doubt King can make First-Team should he stay healthy. King has all the abilities you want in a cover corner, and has the potential to become another top-10 NFL Draft pick, following in the footsteps of 2023 fifth-overall selection Devon Witherspoon.
