In a conference long known for its stout defenses, being recognized as the top player on that side of the ball is no easy feat. The last five winners reflect that. Since 2021, the last four winners of the award — Aidan Hutchinson (Michigan), Jack Campbell (Iowa), Jer’Zhan Newton (Illinois), and Abdul Carter (Penn State) — have made their presence felt on Sundays in the NFL. Caleb Downs, who is the most recent winner, was selected No. 11 overall by the Dallas Cowboys and could be in for a highly impactful rookie campaign.
Typically, I like to present a list of options and riddle the breakdown with several pumpfakes that’ll make you believe I’m picking that player to take home the award later this year. Not this time.
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2026 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year: EDGE Anthony Smith, Minnesota
Last season, Smith was a disruptor. He finished the year with 21 solo tackles and 12.5 sacks. Those numbers are sometimes inflated in blowout wins against non-Power Five opponents, but that wasn’t the case for Smith. The Golden Gophers opened the season against Buffalo and Northwestern State (FCS). Smith had just two sacks during that stretch, despite the victory over NWSU coming in the form of a 66-0 shellacking. He did add two sacks against a Non-Power Five foe, but that was in the Rate Bowl against New Mexico, so you can’t dock him there.
PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 26: Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive lineman Anthony Smith (0) rushes during the Rate Bowl college football game between the New Mexico Lobos and the Minnesota Golden Gophers on December 26, 2025 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Smith isn’t my pick because he’s the best defender. Nor is he my pick because Cleveland.com has the same projection. The team with the most candidates is Oregon. If the Ducks live up to expectations, they’ll boast one of the most balanced defenses. With their mixture of talent and depth, we probably won’t see any extraordinary stat lines from a Duck defender. This is where Smith benefits. If the award is not given to the best defender on the best defensive team, the second qualifier will boil down to numbers. Smith has already proven that he’s capable of posting big ones.
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For those who aren’t aware, the Big Ten does not officially release preseason projections. Cleveland.com compiles media votes and releases them, making the platform the best place to view B1G projections.
Expect another monster campaign as Minnesota looks to build off an 8-4 (5-3 Big Ten) finish in 2025.
