Penn State’s Carl Nassib Earns Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year

Penn State’s Carl Nassib was named Big Ten defensive player of the year, and Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers was named freshman of the year. The first was Mike Vrabel in 1995 and “96, who ironically was Bosa’s position coach his freshman season of 2013 before moving to the NFL Houston Texans” staff. Zettel collects his second All-Big Ten honor of his career after a bid on the first team last season. The Whitehall High alum has five 100-yard rushing games this season, and his 13 20-plus yard rushes lead the Big Ten.

Nassib collected 50 tackles this year and is a finalist for the Lombardi Award, Nagurski and Bednarik Award-which all go to the nation’s best defensive player(s).

Nassib was quick to credit his teammates.

Additionally, sophomore safety Marcus Allen, sophomore linebacker Jason Cabinda, sophomore cornerback Grant Haley and senior cornerback Trevor Williams were selected All-Big Ten honorable mention.

A few more Buckeyes are likely to receive all-conference honors on Tuesday night, as the Big Ten is scheduled to announce the winners of the offensive awards at 6 p.m. Dallastown senior linebacker Ben Kline was named Penn State’s Sportsmanship honoree.

Barkley rushed for 1,007 yards and seven touchdowns this season despite missing 2 ½ games due to injury and having just one carry in the season opener.

BTN.com has released its All-Big Ten team and other superlative awards, and three Penn State players have made the cut. Barkley averaged 121 yards per game against Northwestern, Michigan, Ohio State and Michigan State.