Defensive

Offensive player of the year is Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., defensive player of the year is Illinois defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton and freshman of the year is Purdue defensive back Dillon Thieneman.

Defensive lineman Aaron Donald and cornerback Jalen Ramsey are stars on the defensive side, but much of the defensive remains a mystery.

Burrow retired as the defensive coordinator at Ohio University after last season, Bradley is the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers and Klieman is the head coach and Hazelton the defensive coordinator at Kansas State.

The seven players chosen by their teammates are quarterback Skylar Thompson, defensive tackle Trey Dishon, safety Denzel Goolsby, defensive end Wyatt Hubert, wide receiver Dalton Schoen, defensive end Reggie Walker and center Adam Holtorf.

As of Thursday afternoon, the team’s only lists two defensive coaches: Steven Williams (defensive quality control) and George Godsey (defensive assistant — special projects).

Other reserve three-technique defensive tackles include rookie Jalyn Holmes, who has been slow to learn the position after playing defensive end at Ohio State, and second-year player Ifeadi Odenigbo, who also has moved this year from defensive end.

Last line of defence, can offer run support or blitz. ; Defensive halfback: Covers the slotback and helps contain the run from going to the outside. ; Defensive back: Collective term for cornerback, safety and defensive halfback.

Additionally, Anderson earned earning All-American, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-SEC honors, as well as finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting — a rare accomplishment for even the best defensive talents.

A former defensive backs coach, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin hasn’t exactly gained the best reputation for drafting defensive backs under his watch.

Brent Jackson will move from being the Colts’ 2022 Tony Dungy Defensive Coaching Fellow to a defensive quality control assistant position.

Caicedo is the perfect defensive ball-winner with the most obvious part of his game is his defensive work.

Colorado State defensive lineman Matt Thomas (97) lifts defensive back Jack Howell (17) in the air after Howell intercepted a Utah Tech pass in the end zone Saturday night at Canvas Stadium.

Dave Huxtable has been named senior defensive assistant to defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen.

Defensive end Jonah Elliss won Defensive Line Player of the Week honors after his 3.5 sacks and five tackles for loss against the Bruins.

Defensive mastermind Bill Belichick — who will coach the Patriots against Thibodeaux for the first time Sunday at MetLife Stadium — has noticed the way Thibodeaux feeds off Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.

Donald is a nine-time Pro Bowler and seven-time first-team All-Pro, having won the Defensive Player of the Year award three times as a stout, powerful defensive lineman who overwhelms his competition with a combination of strength and explosiveness.

He served as the Bandits’ defensive backs coach in 2022, and in 2023 he will act as the Showboats’ defensive coordinator, replacing Pepper Johnson.

Howard had been the Browns’ defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator for the last three seasons.

Illinois has some big shoes to fill, starting in the defensive backfield where Devon Witherspoon was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the fifth pick in April, and two more Illini defensive backs went in the top 66 picks.

In Seattle, Scott spent the 2022 season as the secondary coach and defensive passing game coordinator, while Desai was tabbed as the associate head coach and defensive assistant.