Ohio State, Michigan feature top defensive ends in Big Ten
Ohio State’s Zach Harrison and Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson are two of the best defensive ends in the Big Ten. They are also two of the best defensive ends in all of college football. After strong starts to the 2021 season, Pro Football Focus has rated Harrison and Hutchinson as the only two Big Ten defensive ends to have pass and run defense grades of 80+ over the last two seasons.
Zach Harrison had high expectations coming into the season
When he chose Ohio State, Harrison had high expectations for himself. Through two full seasons and three games this year, Harrison has 47 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 6.5 tackles for loss, two passes defended, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. This season, Harrison has nine tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble.
The forced fumble was a huge one for Harrison and Ohio State, as it solidified a victory in Week 1. Ohio State struggled against Minnesota in Week 1, and Minnesota had the ball trailing by three late in the game. Harrison forced Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan to fumble, resulting in a defensive touchdown and a big swing in the Buckeyes’ favor.
As one of the best defensive ends in the Big Ten, Harrison has received comparisons to the likes of Chase Young, Joey Bosa, and Nick Bosa. Harrison missed Ohio State’s game against Tulsa, but he is now back and looking to continue providing a spark on Ohio State’s defensive front.
Hutchinson is a potential top draft pick and Heisman candidate
Hutchinson has played four games this season for Michigan, totaling 15 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. In his four-year career, he has totaled 109 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, seven passes defended, and four forced fumbles. Hutchinson is tied for the nation’s leader in sacks and has proven to be one of the most impactful defensive ends in both the Big Ten and all of college football.
The Heisman Trophy is traditionally given to an offensive skill player, and usually a quarterback at that. But Hutchinson is playing himself into consideration for the prestigious award. On3’s Charles Power lists Hutchinson as one of his favorites on On3’s Heisman Hot Board entering Week 5.
Hutchinson is also one of the top defensive ends in the upcoming NFL Draft. ESPN’s Mel Kiper has Hutchinson listed as the fifth overall prospect on his 2022 big board after Week 4. Kiper lists Hutchinson as the second defensive end on the board behind Oregon’s Keyvon Thibodeaux.