2018 All-Big Ten Defense and Special Teams

2018 All-Big Ten Defense and Special Teams


November 27, 2018

Devin Bush, Jr.

The Big Ten released its all-conference defense and special teams units on Tuesday (LINK). Devin Bush, Jr. was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year as well as the Linebacker of the Year. Other Michigan honorees include:

COACHES

First Team
Line: Chase Winovich
Line: Rashan Gary
Linebacker: Devin Bush, Jr.
Defensive Back: Lavert Hill
Defensive Back: David Long, Jr.
Punter: Will Hart

Second Team
Defensive Back: Josh Metellus

Third Team
Return Specialist: Donovan Peoples-Jones

Honorable Mention
Line: Bryan Mone
Linebacker: Khaleke Hudson
Linebacker: Josh Ross
Linebacker: Joshua Uche
Defensive Back: Tyree Kinnel

MEDIA

First Team
Line: Chase Winovich
Linebacker: Devin Bush, Jr.
Defensive Back: Lavert Hill
Punter: Will Hart

Second Team
Line: Rashan Gary
Defensive Back: Josh Metellus

Third Team
Defensive Back: David Long
Return Specialist: Donovan Peoples-Jones

Honorable Mention
Line: Kwity Paye
Linebacker: Khaleke Hudson
Linebacker: Joshua Uche
Defensive Back: Tyree Kinnel

The #1 story I take away from this is that Michigan’s defense is pretty darn good. But the #2 story is that other coaches in the conference pegged Josh Ross as an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten linebacker, but he couldn’t wrangle the starting gig away from Devin Gil.

8 comments

  1. Comments: 1863
    Joined: 1/19/2016
    je93
    Nov 27, 2018 at 11:26 PM

    The Ross-Gill thing was weird for sure

    Also surprised David Long doesn’t get more love. Even moreso, that Kinnel got HM on both lists, but Watson didn’t get a nod

    *I know he got abused by ohio, but he had a fantastic season before Saturday

  2. Comments: 7
    Joined: 11/26/2018
    BlueCasa
    Nov 28, 2018 at 8:51 AM

    Also great to see Metellus get recognition. He took a lot of abuse the last couple years (probably justified for the most part), but the improvement he made to his game this year was a huge leap in my opinion.

    • Comments: 6285
      Joined: 8/11/2015
      Lanknows
      Nov 28, 2018 at 1:49 PM

      Some people noted in the offseason that Metellus was quietly pretty good despite a few high profile mistakes.

  3. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    Nov 28, 2018 at 1:46 PM

    M defense was so good it’s more notable who DIDN’T get all-conference honors. Of the regulars, only:

    -rotating crew at DT
    -Gil
    -Watson

    • Comments: 6285
      Joined: 8/11/2015
      Lanknows
      Nov 28, 2018 at 1:57 PM

      These were the 3 weak spots that OSU exploited. When certain people talk about a talent differential, it’s not necessarily about the best 5 or even 10 guys, or the “playmakers”, it’s about the talent and athleticism on the margins of the starting units and the caliber of talent entering off the bench.

  4. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    Nov 28, 2018 at 1:46 PM

    As far as disappointment relative to expectation — Hudson had a very quiet year. Particularly if you compare back to Peppers ’16 season.

    • Comments: 7
      Joined: 11/26/2018
      BlueCasa
      Nov 28, 2018 at 4:52 PM

      Or even compared to his own season last year. I agree, was hoping to see more out of him this year. I wonder how much of that is the opponent’s offensive scheme to avoid him after the monster start he had last year.

  5. Comments: 6285
    Joined: 8/11/2015
    Lanknows
    Nov 28, 2018 at 1:54 PM

    My hypothesis on Ross/Gil is that the coaches saw Ross as more of a run-stuffer and Gil as better in coverage. Both will probably start next year so we’ll find out a lot more. Though Anthony may have something to say about all that speculation.

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