One of the foundations of Big Ten football is the talent up front. The 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 had amazing careers in the pros, such as TJ Watt, Joey Bosa, and more. To continue our Best Returning series, we now take a look at the best returning defensive linemen in the Big Ten for 2024.
4. Danny Striggow-Minnesota
Fourth on our list 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 put 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. This gave Striggow an All-Big Ten honorable mention nod. This season Striggow will have to play a huge role in the Gophers’ defense improving from last season. The Big Ten is growing and getting more competitive. Striggow anchoring the Gopher defense is what they need to stay competitive.
3. Jack Sawyer-Ohio State
Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer is regarded as one of the best edge defenders in the country. Many believed he could’ve been a good pickup for some teams in this year’s NFL Draft. The All-Big Ten Honorable Mention finished top eight in the conference in sacks in 2023 with six-and-a-half. This gives Sawyer 14 sacks in his career, which is the most on the 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 is the second most career tackles for loss among returning Buckeyes. In addition, he had 48 total tackles, two pass deflections, and a forced fumble.
Sawyer is expected to have a big season for the Buckeyes in 2024. Fans are waiting for him to truly dominate the way great Ohio State edge rushers such as Bosa did before him. That kind of monster season is going to be needed for the Buckeyes to get back to the top of the revamped Big Ten.
2. Mason Graham-Michigan
To win a national championship you must be good on the defensive front, 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, then 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 honors as well as First-Team All-Big Ten.
Some feel that Graham is the best returning defensive tackle in the country. He is great at doing his job disrupting things in the middle of the line of scrimmage. With Michigan going through some staff changes after Jim Harbaugh went back to the NFL, Graham is going to be a key piece in the Wolverines staying in the conversation. There is one other defensive tackle in the Big Ten though we believe is just a little bit better.
1. Tyleik Williams-Ohio State
Ohio State does not just have one of the best edge defenders in the country, but also one of the best interior defenders as well. Tyleik Williams is a problem for opposing offenses. What puts Williams at the top of our list though is the productivity he gets as well. 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. This got him honors for both Second-Team All-Big Ten and All-American.
Williams is another Buckeye who was believed to be an early contributor to an NFL team if he was to declare for the Draft. Instead he, like Sawyer, decided to stay at Ohio State. They feel like this year’s team could make a run at the National Championship. Williams being back definitely helps the Buckeyes’ chances.
