As the 2024 college football season quickly approaches, it is time to look at the top players in the Big Ten Conference.
Today, we move to the defensive side of our Ranking the Big Ten series with the league’s best returning defense tackles. The conference features four of the top 10 defensive tackles in college football, two are from the reigning national champions, Michigan.
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1. Mason Graham, Michigan
Michigan’s Mason Graham is a menace and an easy pick for the best tackle in the conference. Many publications listed him as the best defensive tackle in the country in 2024. He was a second-team All-American in 2023 after becoming a national champion. In the national title game, Graham recorded five quarterback pressures and two tackles.
The 6-foot-3, 318-pound tackle has the highest defense grade of any returning tackle in FBS. During his sophomore campaign, Pro Football Focus graded him at 90.0 on defense, 87.8 in run defense, and 84.8 in the pass rush. He was one of two interior D-linemen to rank in the top 10 in the pass rush and run defense grades. PFF chose Graham as their top returning interior defensive lineman for this upcoming season.
The Anaheim, Calif. native recorded 36 tackles with 7.5 for a loss and 3.0 sacks as a sophomore in 2023. He recorded three QB hurries, one pass breakup, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in his 13 starts.
2. Tyleik Williams, Ohio State
Next up is Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams. Lindy’s selected Williams as the No. 9 defensive tackle for the 2024 season. The 6-foot-3, 327-pound tackle recorded a conference-leading 54 tackles, 10 for loss, and recovered one fumble.
Williams recorded a 77.6 overall defense grade by PFF, which is the fifth highest of any returning new Big Ten interior D-linemen. He was the only defensive tackle out of the 16 new Big Ten teams to record a grade of 68 or higher in all five categories.
The Manassas, Va. native was an All-Big Ten Third Team selection by the coaches and a second-team pick by the media in 2023. He could make his way into the league’s first team in 2024.
3. Bear Alexander, USC
Bear Alexander saw his first season of extensive snaps at USC in 2023. He transferred to the Trojans after one season at Georgia, where he saw action in 12 games. The 6-foot-3, 316-pound tackle recorded 48 tackles, including 6.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks in 660 snaps.
Alexander was selected as a 2023 All-Pac-12 honorable mention, but Phil Steele named him on his All-Pac-12 First Team. He is expected to continue to improve during his junior season. Lindy’s selected the IMG Academy product as the No. 8 defensive tackle nationally in 2024.
4. Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Kenneth Grant returns to Michigan after a huge sophomore season and a national championship ring. He played in all 15 games, starting five. Grant recorded 29 tackles, 5.0 for loss and 3.5 sacks. In 2023, he also had six quarterback hurries, five pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery.
Grant was the only Big Ten d-tackle to score over a 70 in all four of the main linemen grades. His 80.4 defense grade is the second highest of returning Big Ten tackles, close behind Graham’s. His 78.4 score in pass rush is third amongst returners.
Lindy’s listed Grant as its No. 10 ranked defensive tackle in 2024. He earned an All-Big Ten second-team selection by the coaches and a third-team pick by the conference’s media in 2023.
5. Nash Hutmacher, Nebraska
Nebraska nose tackle Nash Hutmacher is back for his fifth and final season as a Husker. He led the Big Ten with seven sacks, tying Illinois tackle Jer’Zhan Newton, who was a second-round NFL Draft pick. Hutmacher is in the best shape of his career as he competed for the Husker Wrestling team during the off-season.
The 6-foot-4, 330-pound tackle started all 12 games as a junior in 2023. He made a huge jump between his sophomore and junior seasons. Hutmacher recorded 40 tackles, 8.0 for loss and 23 quarterback pressures. He and Ty Robinson anchored NU’s defense, which led the Big Ten with 92.9 rushing yards per game.
Hutmacher was an All-Big Ten honorable mention by the conference’s coaches and media in 2023. However, he has a chance to turn more heads in 2024.
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