Big Ten Football: 10 Defenders B1G QBs Need to Fear the Most in 2013

The Big Ten is looking for a rebound to happen in 2013, and it will look to defense to help make that happen. The conference is loaded with talented defenders, and the opposing offenses have taken notice.

Quarterbacks should be especially worried next year as these 10 guys will ensure they have a lot of tough Saturdays this fall.

There are a lot of grass-filled facemasks and painful shoulders that remain ahead for Big Ten signal-callers at the hands of these talented defenders. A few will also jump in snag a few picks this fall.

These are the 10 defenders that quarterbacks will spy when the season rolls around. 

Landon Feichter, S, Purdue Boilermakers

The Purdue Boilermakers had a lot of struggles last year, but they were able to finish with a bowl appearance.

This year there is hope that the Boilermakers can hit a fresh stride with new coach Darrell Hazell taking over the program. For that to happen, defense will be the guide that helps lead this Purdue team to the top of the Big Ten.

Guiding the defense is Landon Feichter. He was a stud in the defensive secondary last fall, and he will build on that success this fall.

He was a ball hawk in 2012, finishing with four interceptions and also adding 80 tackles to his stat sheet.

As quarterbacks look for space in the zone next fall, they have to keep an eye on Feichter. 

C.J. Barnett, S, Ohio State Buckeyes

The Ohio State Buckeyes are on a tear heading into the new year and looking to run the table through the Big Ten again in 2013.

For that to happen C.J. Barnett will be a key contributor for the defense.

From his safety position last fall, Barnett finished with 56 total tackles, six pass breakups and two interceptions.

Look for that production to increase this fall as the Buckeyes charge for a possible national title run. When a quarterback drops back against Ohio State, they will always keep an eye on Barnett.

He is a pick six threat every time the ball enters the air.

Jake Ryan, ILB, Michigan Wolverines

Jake Ryan is a dangerous linebacker for the Wolverines. He roams the second level of the defense and helps stop the pass and run as well as any linebacker in the country.

He also chooses his gaps well on blitzes and nails quarterbacks.

Ryan finished the 2012 season with 88 total tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, three pass breakups and two quarterback hurries.

He is all over the field, and loves to play in opponent's backfields. If a quarterback loses track of Ryan, it is because he is about to be hit.

Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State Buckeyes

Ryan Shazier is a nasty defender that has a lot of upswing left to his game.

Last year he finished with 114 total tackles, 17 for loss, five sacks, one interception and 10 pass breakups.

Shazier flies around the football and loves to hit the quarterback.

This is a horrific combo for opposing quarterbacks. This is a player that will run back an interception for a score, and level a quarterback on a blitz play.

This year should bring another level to Shazier’s game, making him even more potent from his linebacker spot. 

Max Bullough, OLB, Michigan State Spartans

Max Bullough is the next star of the Spartans defense. Bullough plowed through the competition last year finishing with 110 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, one interception and 2.5 sacks.

The Spartans didn’t send Bullough after the quarterback often, but when they did, he typically found success.

As quarterbacks approach the coming season they have to scout the ability that Bullough brings to the field. He is an interception threat on crossing routes, and constantly plays in opponents backfields. 

Marcus Rush, DE, Michigan State Spartans

With the loss of William Gholston to the NFL, the Spartans need a new player to step up along the defensive line this fall and make plays. That player will be Marcus Rush.

Rush was a solid secondary threat to offenses last season finishing with 38 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. In 2011, he finished with four sacks.

He has the talent to be a very good defender for the Spartans and the situation has set up to make him the premier defender along the line.

This is a player that every Big Ten quarterback has to spy when they take on Michigan State. 

Tyler Scott, DL, Northwestern Wildcats

Tyler Scott is a beast along the defensive line for Northwestern that has helped the Wildcats continue to climb up the Big Ten ladder in recent years.

Scott led the Big Ten in sacks last year with nine, and is looking to repeat that mark this fall. Opposing quarterbacks should consider themselves placed on notice as he is looking to bring pain there way.

He also added 42 tackles, five pass breakups and three forced fumbles to his stat line last season.

The Wildcats are looking for leadership from Scott again this season as they head into the new year. This should be a really strong year for Scott and the Wildcats defense. 

Ra'Shede Hageman, DL, Minnesota Golden Gophers

Ra’Shede Hageman has been a bright spot for the Golden Gophers over the past few years. He had a shot at jumping to the NFL this winter, but instead chose to stay one more year with Minnesota.

The Golden Gophers should be very happy about the return, but opposing quarterbacks should be very worried when they face him on Saturdays.

Hageman finished last year with 7.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. He also had 35 total stops on the year.

This guy has a motor that keeps on pushing through the ball carrier on contact. When that is a quarterback, it gets nasty. 

Deion Barnes, DE, Penn State Nittany Lions

Deion Barnes is one of the youngest stars on this list. The Big Ten saw Barnes explode onto the scene as a freshman and finish 2012 with 27 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss and five sacks.

Barnes is set to have an even bigger year in 2013.

Opposing quarterbacks should be very worried about him. He is a rangy player that is fast around the edge, and seals the outside from the run very well.

The future of the Nittany Lions defense rests with Barnes.

Something tells me this fiery player is fine with that. 

David Gilbert, DE, Wisconsin Badgers

The Wisconsin Badgers are entering a new era of football this year with Gary Andersen taking over the program.

One thing that won’t change is the playmaking ability off of the edge by David Gilbert.

Gilbert is one of the Badgers premier pass rushers, and he will enter the year as one of the most feared at his position.

He finished 2012 with 42 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. Look for his sack numbers to double this season.

The Badgers are used to outsizing their opponents, but having this 6’4", 250-pound speedster off the outside edge brings a new dynamic that vaults this defense into the Big Ten elite. 

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