The Big Ten could be home to several of the best secondaries in the sport. Whether it be the Big Three of Penn State, Ohio State or Oregon or even the vaunted Iowa Hawkeyes, you can rely on these units to carry the load for their teams in the back end of their respective defenses. Here is a comprehensive ranking from worst to first of the Big Ten’s elite defensive back units.

18. Rutgers

Rutgers is the last on this list, mainly due to inexperience. However, that inexperience could quickly turn to the upside within its ranks. The highlight of the group may just be rising sophomore and former Bergen Catholic stalwart Kaj Sanders. In just five starts, he racked up over 43 tackles. Also, look out for converted running back Al-Shadee Salaam on the outside for more ranginess, as he had 26 tackles and 2 pass breakups. The upside is what gives this room promise, but they must perform to standard.

17. Northwestern

Northwestern drops precipitously from the midst of the rankings due to a major change in the cornerback room. The departure of Theran Johnson to Oregon certainly hurts, but some young blood could certainly fuel some production. Redshirt sophomore Josh Fussell returns to helm that group, with 39 tackles last year. Grad transfer Fred Davis also adds much-needed experience, logging over 245 coverage snaps at both Clemson and Jacksonville State. At safety, junior Dillon Tatum adds solidity and range to cover for the loss of Coco Azema.

16. Purdue

Purdue’s DB unit is littered with several transfers looking to add stability to the back end. Former UNC man Tony Grimes adds height and range at the position, with his best season coming in 2022, with 36 tackles and six PBUs. On the other side could be former Boston College and Ohio State standout Ryan Turner, who in nine games last year for the Eagles had 13 tackles, 2 for loss, and an interception. Crew Wakley is expected to helm the safety position, logging over 100 tackles in two years at BYU.

15. Nebraska

Nebraska is one of the older groups in the Big Ten and can rely on several seniors to lead them. Ceyair Wright could be a standout on the outside, as he had career highs across the board last year, leading the team in pass breakups. Deshon Singleton, the leader in tackles for the Cornhuskers last year with 71, returns as well at the strong safety spot. This group certainly will rise throughout the year and be one of the reasons the Huskers could stay competitive in the conference.

14. Michigan State

Another senior-heavy secondary, the Spartans will rely on a strong duo at CB1 and 2 to carry the load. Joshua Eaton and Malcolm Bell are the presumptive starters. A Texas State transfer, Eaton played in all 12 games last year and contributed 27 tackles and a sack for the Bobcats. Bell recorded 93 tackles and 13 PBUs for the UConn Huskies and will be coming to Michigan State as a grad transfer. At the safety spot, look for Malik Spencer and Nikai Martinez to be two other senior leaders who can be relied upon.

13. Maryland

While the loss of Dante Trader Jr. to the NFL is a disappointment, the Terps certainly have emerging talent who can succeed this year. Look for Wake Forest transfer Jamare Glasker Jr to provide much-needed energy to the Terps’ back end after having 37 tackles and four pass breakups last year. And don’t sleep on junior Lavain Scruggs either, who totaled 43 tackles in a breakout sophomore campaign.

12. Wisconsin

Wisconsin, even with the departure of Hunter Wohler to the NFL, must feel very hyped for their secondary ahead of this season. Without question, there will be stability on the boundaries for the Badgers as both Nyzier Fourqurean and Ricardo Hallman Jr. return for a second straight year. Hallman was targeted the fewest times of any CB in the nation with at least 300 coverage snaps and only allowed 20 catches on 33 targets. Meanwhile, at the free safety spot, Preston Zachman had the third-highest PFF grade of any safety in the conference.

11. UCLA

UCLA is a blend of both inexperience and quality for both the corners and the safeties. While there may be uncertainty on the boundaries, the safeties are expected to shine. Of the top 6 corners on the depth chart, only two have started for a power conference team. The highlight of the group may be Jamier Johnson of Indiana, who had his first career interception last year and is looking to find a stable home after featuring at Texas as well. At safety, look for Key Lawrence, an Ole Miss transfer, to settle in nicely next to Croix Stewart after only playing 27 snaps last year for the Rebels.

10. Indiana

Indiana’s secondary certainly shocked the world last year as one of the best units in the conference. It’s not looking like they will relinquish that elite status anytime soon. D’angelo Ponds returns after an All-American year, which saw him have 9 pass breakups and 3 interceptions. He was also PFF’s third-ranked corner nationally. Look for redshirt junior Jamari Sharpe to emerge alongside him after getting the bulk of the snaps in the spring game. In terms of safety, look for underrated junior Amare Ferrell to shine as the youngest safety in the room.

9. Illinois

Illinois is another experienced group led by veteran star power. First Team All-Big Ten selection Xavier Scott returns at the nickel spot after a career year of 49 tackles, 4 interceptions, a sack, and six pass breakups. However, the corner spot might not look as solid as it could be. Redshirt junior Kaleb Patterson will look to be the leader of the room from Day One and establish a solid foundation for a potential weakness in the Illini secondary.

8. Minnesota

Minnesota is placing a lot of trust on its youth at the corner position but does return sophomore safeties with tons of upside and breakout campaigns under their belt. Koi Perich’s 5 interceptions led the Big Ten, to go along with 46 tackles and 2 for loss. Kerry Brown gives them some of the most stability at the position in the conference over the next several years. However, FCS transfer Jaylen Bowden and redshirt sophomore Za’Quan Bryant must grow up quickly at the corner spots for this Minnesota secondary to truly shine this year.

7. USC

USC will have a lot of competition all over the secondary from now until the fall. There are a lot of veteran players who will feel that the starting jobs are all but theirs for the taking, but the underclassmen should not be underestimated. Redshirts seniors DJ Harvey and DeCarlos Nicholson are expected to be the two starting corners, with 55 tackles between the two last year. However, look for Kamari Ramsey to have another standout campaign at the free safety position after having 60 tackles and 2 sacks in his sophomore year.

6. Washington

With the addition of Tacario Davis, Washington bolstered its secondary in a major way. With All-Big 12 credentials and the height and length to cover the toughest Big Ten receivers, look for Davis to mightily improve the corner rooms’ outlook. Ephesians Prysock will look to partner with him on the left side after a 61-tackle campaign last year. Redshirt senior CJ Christian at strong safety could be one to watch after grabbing 3 interceptions last year.

5. Michigan

Despite the loss of Will Johnson to the NFL, Michigan still boasts one of the best secondaries in the conference. Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry are expected to be the corner pairing for the Wolverines. Berry had a breakout year moving from the nickel spot to the outside, and had a career high 9 pass breakups last year. However, the name to know for Michigan fans is that of safety Rod Moore. Returning from an ACL injury and though he might need to reacclimate to the team, can be an effective contributor in a loaded safety group. TJ Metcalf fills out the projected starters on the strong side, with 7 PBUs last year.

4. Penn State

Penn State could certainly make the case for a top-three spot in both the conference and perhaps even the country. However, the loaded front seven may overshadow this group’s contributions. Nevertheless, they return All-Big Ten third team candidate AJ Harris on the outside, who played in all 16 games last year. Elliott Washington returns for his junior year after a breakout sophomore campaign where he contributed 7 PBUs. At safety, Zakee Wheatley returns for a potential final year with the Nittany Lions after a 96-tackle and three-pick season. The wildcard of the group could be Alabama transfer King Mack, who returns to Penn State after his brief transfer to the Crimson Tide, but returning sophomore Dejuan Lane is the projected starter beside Wheatley after playing in 14 games as a true freshman.

3. Oregon

Oregon’s transfer portal additions make this group ever more fearsome on the back end of an already elite defense. Dillon Thieneman was the headliner of the bunch and is undoubtedly the top safety on the roster. His Big Ten-leading 104 tackles as a DB at Purdue last year in an honorable mention All-Big Ten campaign prove his pedigree within the conference and his drive for more success. Theran Johnson, the former Northwestern man, fills out the cornerback room very nicely after having 10 pass breakups and 40 tackles in his sophomore campaign. Look for this Oregon secondary to round out a very well-balanced defensive unit.

2. Iowa

Iowa has always been known for its stout secondaries, and this year’s edition is no different. TJ Hall and Deshaun Lee are the projected corners. Hall played in 12 games last year and could have a breakout junior year after having 19 tackles and an interception last year. Lee also had 12 games under his belt last year with 42 tackles. However, it is safety Xavier Nwankpa that will most likely garner the most accolades by season’s end. Moving to the free safety spot for the first time in his career, Nwankpa will be looking to validate his preseason second-team All-Big Ten status.

1. Ohio State

It is no surprise that Ohio State tops this list. After all, they return perhaps the best safety in all of college football and the deepest crop of corners in the country as well. Caleb Downs, the former Alabama man, is undoubtedly the best safety in the country and could even be the first DB since Charles Woodson to win the Heisman. Jaylen McClain could have a breakout season opposite him after getting limited action as a true freshman last year. At the corner spot, Davison Igbinosun is expected to be elite once again after leading the team in pass breakups last season with 9 and garnering honorable mention All-Big Ten acclaim. With players like these, the Buckeyes‘ secondary is the least of their concerns.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Ranking Big Ten DB Units for 2025