Best NFL Defenders the Big Ten Has Produced

Big Ten football is sluggish, tough-nosed and can also be considered old school. So, it is not surprising to see this conference produce some quality defensive football players. It takes a certain kind of man to strap it up in the trenches in the Big Ten, which has obviously prepared many of these guys to go on and have promising NFL careers.

No matter if you are looking for a defensive end, linebacker or a star player in the secondary, the Big Ten can be honored to know that every position has been covered with an accomplished player.

If the names on this list aren't already in the Hall of Fame, there is a good chance that will change within a few years.

Let's check out the best NFL defenders the Big Ten has produced.

10. Troy Vincent, Wisconsin

Troy Vincent is one of those players who had a remarkable NFL career but hardly ever gets mentioned when the conversation of great defenders comes up. That needs to change considering he was terrific in the 15 years he spent in the league.

Vincent played for four NFL teams from 1992-2006, but made his mark spending eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a three-time All Pro selection with the team and was selected to five straight Pro Bowls from 1999 to 2003.

The star cornerback led the league in 1999 with seven interceptions and finished his career with 47 interceptions and 12 forced fumbles. He was a solid cover corner and without question one of the best ball hawks of the 1990s.

9. Dave Brown, Michigan

Speaking of guys who could intercept the ball and make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks, it doesn't get much better than Dave Brown. The feisty defender spent 15 years in the league, including 11 with the Seattle Seahawks.

Brown had seven seasons of at least five interceptions and finished his career with 62, which is good for eighth all time. In 1984, he tied an NFL record by running two interceptions back for a touchdown in the same game. He scored a total of five touchdowns defensively and played a factor on special teams his rookie season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the same season (1975) he won a Super Bowl ring.

How Brown was selected to only one Pro Bowl and only a two-time All Pro selection will forever remain a mystery.

8. Ty Law, Michigan

Ty Law was somebody who brought swagger to the field and would let you know that you were in for a long day. He played 15 seasons, but accomplished most in his 10 years with the New England Patriots.

Law was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time All Pro and won three Super Bowls. He led the NFL in interceptions in 1998 (9) and 2005 (10), and finished his career with 53 interceptions, which is 24th most in NFL history. Out of those 53 takeaways, Law returned seven of them for touchdowns.

This high profile corner was considered one of the first true "shutdown" defenders in league history and really brought something extra to the Patriots defense.

He was a member of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and New England Patriots 50th Anniversary Team. It also won't be surprising if he is inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame later down the line.

7. Simeon Rice, Illinois

There are few defensive players that will ever be as consistent as Simeon Rice. He spent 12 seasons in an NFL uniform and was a beast from day one.

Winning AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1996, Rice finished his rookie season with 12.5 sacks and a forced fumble. It was only the beginning, as he finished eight seasons with at least 10 sacks, including three with at least 15. Rice was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time All Pro and helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win a Super Bowl in 2002.

Rice was a man child on the defensive front and racked up 122 sacks in his career, which is good for 13th in NFL history. When the time is right, there won't be much holding him back from being inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

6. Herb Adderley, Michigan State

Herb Adderley began his career as an offensive player for the Green Bay Packers in 1961. But thanks to overwhelming depth on those Vince Lombardi coached teams, Adderley quickly switched over to defense as a cornerback.

It was a great decision.

Adderley developed into a physical player who did a great job of reading the quarterback and reacting with terrific instincts. Those traits helped result in 48 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries in his 12-year career.

He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection, four-time All Pro and a six-time NFL champion, including one he won with the Dallas Cowboys in 1971. Adderley is also a member of the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 1980.

5. Charles Woodson, Michigan

It is amazing how long Charles Woodson has been in the league and that he can continue to slide up this list at the young age of 36. Once again with the Oakland Raiders, Woodson will begin his 16th year in the league in 2013.

Woodson was a first-round pick in the 1998 NFL draft and has been making plays ever since. He's intercepted 55 passes in his career and his 11 interceptions returned for a touchdown is only second all-time to Rod Woodson.

This veteran defender has been named to eight Pro Bowls, is a seven-time All Pro selection and finally won a Super Bowl in 2010 with the Green Bay Packers. Woodson has been consistent throughout his career and continues to play at a high level. There is no question he will be giving a speech one day when he is inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.

4. Andre Tippett, Iowa

Andre Tippett spent all 11 seasons with the New England Patriots and changing the linebacker position as we know it. Before the Clay Matthews, DeMarcus Ware and Terrell Suggs of the world were introduced, there was Tippett.

Tippett was a quick defender who simply had a knack for getting after the quarterback. He finished his career with 100 sacks, which includes a two-year stretch (1984-1985) of 35 sacks. His 18.5 sacks in the 1984 season is the third most by any linebacker in NFL history. Tippett only played in 151 games, which makes his accomplishments that much more incredible.

He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection and is a member of the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. He was also inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2008.

3. Dick LeBeau, Ohio State

Many know Dick LeBeau as this brilliant defensive mind for the Pittsburgh Steelers and one of the smartest football guys the game has ever seen. But before he became a successful coach, he was able to carve out a successful 14-year career as a cornerback for the Detroit Lions.

LeBeau was a fifth-round draft pick in 1959, but worked his way onto the field rather quickly. He instantly became a difference maker on defense, intercepting 62 passes in his career and recovering nine fumbles. His interception total is the most in Detroit Lions history and is good for eighth all-time.

LeBeau was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, played in 171 consecutive games and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2010. Although he is no longer out there making the plays, LeBeau remains a big reason why the Pittsburgh Steelers have been so successful over the years.

2. Paul Krause, Iowa

Paul Krause is considered to be one of the best safeties this game has ever known. Drafted in the second-round of the 1964 NFL draft, it didn't take him long to let everybody know who he was.

Krause led the NFL with 12 interceptions in his rookie season with the Washington Redskins. That was certainly no fluke, as nine of his 16 years in the league produced at least five interceptions. His 81 interceptions remain the most in NFL history and may be one of those records that will never be broken.

This NFL legend was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, eight-time All Pro, is a member of the Washington Redskins 70th Anniversary Team and one of the few to be inducted into the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor.

Krause was also a member of the 1998 NFL Hall of Fame class.

1. Rod Woodson, Purdue

Rod Woodson was that type of player who did a little bit of everything to help his team win. Whether it was making plays on special teams or coming up with a key defensive stop, Woodson was that guy you wanted on your team.

Although Woodson was a track star in college and made plays returning kicks, he made his bread and butter on defense. He produced 13.5 sacks, 71 interceptions, 20 forced fumbles, 32 fumble recoveries and 1,050 tackles in his 17-year career. He also knew what to do when he got his hands on the ball, as his 12 interceptions returned for a touchdown are the most in NFL history.

Woodson was a key contributor for the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens and Oakland Raiders. He was an 11-time Pro Bowl selection, six-time first-team All Pro and helped the Ravens win a Super Bowl in 2000.

Woodson also became a Hall of Famer in 2009.

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