ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Big Ten Conference's football coaches and media members have released their defensive all-league performers from the 2021 campaign. Northwestern senior linebacker Chris Bergin and sophomore safety Brandon Joseph headline a group of five defensive Wildcats that earned All-Conference honors.
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In addition to Bergin and Joseph, defensive end Adetomiwa Adebawore and defensive backs A.J. Hampton, Jr. and Cameron Mitchell were recognized in the honorable mention category.
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Bergin was voted a second team linebacker by the media and earned third team recognition from the coaches. He finished the regular season as the nation's leader in total (XXX) and solo tackles (84). His 84 solo stops were the most by a Wildcat in a single season since at least 2000. Bergin's 368 career tackles rank eighth all-time in program history.
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Joseph was named to the media's second team and honorable mention by the coaches. He finished his sophomore season with a team-leading three interceptions and ranked third on NU's defense with 80 tackles. The College Station, Texas, native had four pass breakups and 1.5 tackles for loss. In the Indiana State game (9/11/21), Joseph racked up 111 punt return yards – first NU player to go over the century mark in a game since 2012.
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2021 All-Big Ten Defensive Football Team
As selected by conference coaches
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DEFENSEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â FIRST TEAMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â SECOND TEAMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â THIRD TEAM
Line                 Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan          Zach VanValkenburg, Iowa         Sam Okuayinonu, Maryland
Line                 Haskell Garrett, Ohio State       Jacub Panasiuk, Michigan State     Boye Mafe, Minnesota
Line                 Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State           Tyreke Smith, Ohio State           Zach Harrison, Ohio State
Line                   George Karlaftis, Purdue             PJ Mustipher, Penn State          Matt Henningsen, Wisconsin
Line                                                                         Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
Linebacker           David Ojabo, Michigan              Micah McFadden, Indiana          Jack Campbell, Iowa
Linebacker           Leo Chenal, Wisconsin               JoJo Domann, Nebraska          Chris Bergin, Northwestern
Linebacker          Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin             Ellis Brooks, Penn State           Brandon Smith, Penn State
Defensive Back        Dane Belton, Iowa                    Kerby Joseph, Illinois              Denzel Burke, Ohio State
Defensive Back         Riley Moss, Iowa                      Matt Hankins, Iowa                Ji'Ayir Brown, Penn State
Defensive Back        Dax Hill, Michigan                Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska         Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
Defensive Back  Jaquan Brisker, Penn State         Ronnie Hickman, Ohio State      Caesar Williams, Wisconsin
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DEFENSE HONORABLE MENTION
ILLINOIS: Sydney Brown, Owen Carney; IOWA: Jack Koerner, Noah Shannon; MARYLAND: Jakorian Bennett, Ami Finau; MICHIGAN: Chris Hinton, Josh Ross, Mazi Smith, D.J. Turner; MICHIGAN STATE: Quavaris Crouch, Xavier Henderson, Jacob Slade; MINNESOTA: Esezi Otomewo, Mariano Sori-Marin; NEBRASKA: Damion Daniels, Marquel Dismuke, Luke Reimer, Ben Stille, Deontai Williams; NORTHWESTERN: Adetomiwa Adebawore, A.J. Hampton, Brandon Joseph, Cameron Mitchell; OHIO STATE: Sevyn Banks, Cam Brown, Antwuan Jackson; PENN STATE: Tariq Castro-Fields, Jesse Luketa; PURDUE: Jaylan Alexander, Cam Allen, Branson Deen, Jalen Graham, Dedrick Mackey; RUTGERS: Olakunle Fatukasi, Julius Turner; WISCONSIN: Noah Burks, Nick Herbig, Faion Hicks, Isiah Mullens, Scott Nelson, Collin Wilder.
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2021 All-Big Ten Defensive Football Team
As selected by conference media
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DEFENSEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â FIRST TEAMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â SECOND TEAMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â THIRD TEAM
Line                 Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan          Zach VanValkenburg, Iowa        Jacob Slade, Michigan State
Line                 Haskell Garrett, Ohio State       Jacub Panasiuk, Michigan State       Tyreke Smith, Ohio State     Â
Line                 Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State             Boye Mafe, Minnesota             Jesse Luketa, Penn State
Line                   George Karlaftis, Purdue            Zach Harrison, Ohio State         Matt Henningsen, Wisconsin
Linebacker             Jack Campbell, Iowa               Micah McFadden, Indiana              Josh Ross, Michigan
Linebacker           David Ojabo, Michigan             Chris Bergin, Northwestern           JoJo Domann, Nebraska
Linebacker           Leo Chenal, Wisconsin              Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin          Olakunle Fatukasi, Rutgers
Defensive Back      Kerby Joseph, Illinois                   Matt Hankins, Iowa                 Vincent Gray, Michigan
Defensive Back        Dane Belton, Iowa                      Dax Hill, Michigan                 Brad Hawkins, Michigan
Defensive Back         Riley Moss, Iowa                 Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska    Xavier Henderson, Michigan State
Defensive Back  Jaquan Brisker, Penn State       Brandon Joseph, Northwestern     Ronnie Hickman, Ohio State
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DEFENSE HONORABLE MENTION
ILLINOIS: Sydney Brown, Owen Carney, Johnny Newton, Keith Randolph, Devon Witherspoon; INDIANA: Ryder Anderson, Jaylin Williams; IOWA: Seth Benson, Jack Koerner, Noah Shannon; MARYLAND: Jakorian Bennett, Nick Cross, Ami Finau, Jordan Mosley, Sam Okuayinonu; MICHIGAN: Chris Hinton, Mazi Smith, D.J. Turner; MICHIGAN STATE: Quavaris Crouch, Cal Haladay, Darius Snow; MINNESOTA: Jack Gibbens, Tyler Nubin, Esezi Otomewo, Mariano Sori-Marin; NEBRASKA: Damion Daniels, Luke Reimer, Ben Stille, Deontai Williams; NORTHWESTERN: Adetomiwa Adebawore, A.J. Hampton; OHIO STATE: Sevyn Banks, Cam Brown, Denzel Burke, Steele Chambers, Tommy Eichenberg, Antwuan Jackson, Bryson Shaw, Taron Vincent, Tyliek Williams; PENN STATE: Ellis Brooks, Ji'Ayir Brown, Tariq Castro-Fields, Curtis Jacobs, PJ Mustipher, Joey Porter Jr., Brandon Smith; PURDUE: Jaylan Alexander, Cam Allen, Branson Deen, Jalen Graham; RUTGERS: Christian Izien, Julius Turner; WISCONSIN: Keeanu Benton,Noah Burks, Nick Herbig, Faion Hicks, Isiah Mullens, Scott Nelson, Collin Wilder, Caesar Williams.
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In addition to Bergin and Joseph, defensive end Adetomiwa Adebawore and defensive backs A.J. Hampton, Jr. and Cameron Mitchell were recognized in the honorable mention category.
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Bergin was voted a second team linebacker by the media and earned third team recognition from the coaches. He finished the regular season as the nation's leader in total (XXX) and solo tackles (84). His 84 solo stops were the most by a Wildcat in a single season since at least 2000. Bergin's 368 career tackles rank eighth all-time in program history.
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Joseph was named to the media's second team and honorable mention by the coaches. He finished his sophomore season with a team-leading three interceptions and ranked third on NU's defense with 80 tackles. The College Station, Texas, native had four pass breakups and 1.5 tackles for loss. In the Indiana State game (9/11/21), Joseph racked up 111 punt return yards – first NU player to go over the century mark in a game since 2012.
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2021 All-Big Ten Defensive Football Team
As selected by conference coaches
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DEFENSEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â FIRST TEAMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â SECOND TEAMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â THIRD TEAM
Line                 Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan          Zach VanValkenburg, Iowa         Sam Okuayinonu, Maryland
Line                 Haskell Garrett, Ohio State       Jacub Panasiuk, Michigan State     Boye Mafe, Minnesota
Line                 Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State           Tyreke Smith, Ohio State           Zach Harrison, Ohio State
Line                   George Karlaftis, Purdue             PJ Mustipher, Penn State          Matt Henningsen, Wisconsin
Line                                                                         Keeanu Benton, Wisconsin
Linebacker           David Ojabo, Michigan              Micah McFadden, Indiana          Jack Campbell, Iowa
Linebacker           Leo Chenal, Wisconsin               JoJo Domann, Nebraska          Chris Bergin, Northwestern
Linebacker          Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin             Ellis Brooks, Penn State           Brandon Smith, Penn State
Defensive Back        Dane Belton, Iowa                    Kerby Joseph, Illinois              Denzel Burke, Ohio State
Defensive Back         Riley Moss, Iowa                      Matt Hankins, Iowa                Ji'Ayir Brown, Penn State
Defensive Back        Dax Hill, Michigan                Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska         Joey Porter Jr., Penn State
Defensive Back  Jaquan Brisker, Penn State         Ronnie Hickman, Ohio State      Caesar Williams, Wisconsin
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DEFENSE HONORABLE MENTION
ILLINOIS: Sydney Brown, Owen Carney; IOWA: Jack Koerner, Noah Shannon; MARYLAND: Jakorian Bennett, Ami Finau; MICHIGAN: Chris Hinton, Josh Ross, Mazi Smith, D.J. Turner; MICHIGAN STATE: Quavaris Crouch, Xavier Henderson, Jacob Slade; MINNESOTA: Esezi Otomewo, Mariano Sori-Marin; NEBRASKA: Damion Daniels, Marquel Dismuke, Luke Reimer, Ben Stille, Deontai Williams; NORTHWESTERN: Adetomiwa Adebawore, A.J. Hampton, Brandon Joseph, Cameron Mitchell; OHIO STATE: Sevyn Banks, Cam Brown, Antwuan Jackson; PENN STATE: Tariq Castro-Fields, Jesse Luketa; PURDUE: Jaylan Alexander, Cam Allen, Branson Deen, Jalen Graham, Dedrick Mackey; RUTGERS: Olakunle Fatukasi, Julius Turner; WISCONSIN: Noah Burks, Nick Herbig, Faion Hicks, Isiah Mullens, Scott Nelson, Collin Wilder.
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2021 All-Big Ten Defensive Football Team
As selected by conference media
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DEFENSEÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â FIRST TEAMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â SECOND TEAMÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â THIRD TEAM
Line                 Aidan Hutchinson, Michigan          Zach VanValkenburg, Iowa        Jacob Slade, Michigan State
Line                 Haskell Garrett, Ohio State       Jacub Panasiuk, Michigan State       Tyreke Smith, Ohio State     Â
Line                 Arnold Ebiketie, Penn State             Boye Mafe, Minnesota             Jesse Luketa, Penn State
Line                   George Karlaftis, Purdue            Zach Harrison, Ohio State         Matt Henningsen, Wisconsin
Linebacker             Jack Campbell, Iowa               Micah McFadden, Indiana              Josh Ross, Michigan
Linebacker           David Ojabo, Michigan             Chris Bergin, Northwestern           JoJo Domann, Nebraska
Linebacker           Leo Chenal, Wisconsin              Jack Sanborn, Wisconsin          Olakunle Fatukasi, Rutgers
Defensive Back      Kerby Joseph, Illinois                   Matt Hankins, Iowa                 Vincent Gray, Michigan
Defensive Back        Dane Belton, Iowa                      Dax Hill, Michigan                 Brad Hawkins, Michigan
Defensive Back         Riley Moss, Iowa                 Cam Taylor-Britt, Nebraska    Xavier Henderson, Michigan State
Defensive Back  Jaquan Brisker, Penn State       Brandon Joseph, Northwestern     Ronnie Hickman, Ohio State
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DEFENSE HONORABLE MENTION
ILLINOIS: Sydney Brown, Owen Carney, Johnny Newton, Keith Randolph, Devon Witherspoon; INDIANA: Ryder Anderson, Jaylin Williams; IOWA: Seth Benson, Jack Koerner, Noah Shannon; MARYLAND: Jakorian Bennett, Nick Cross, Ami Finau, Jordan Mosley, Sam Okuayinonu; MICHIGAN: Chris Hinton, Mazi Smith, D.J. Turner; MICHIGAN STATE: Quavaris Crouch, Cal Haladay, Darius Snow; MINNESOTA: Jack Gibbens, Tyler Nubin, Esezi Otomewo, Mariano Sori-Marin; NEBRASKA: Damion Daniels, Luke Reimer, Ben Stille, Deontai Williams; NORTHWESTERN: Adetomiwa Adebawore, A.J. Hampton; OHIO STATE: Sevyn Banks, Cam Brown, Denzel Burke, Steele Chambers, Tommy Eichenberg, Antwuan Jackson, Bryson Shaw, Taron Vincent, Tyliek Williams; PENN STATE: Ellis Brooks, Ji'Ayir Brown, Tariq Castro-Fields, Curtis Jacobs, PJ Mustipher, Joey Porter Jr., Brandon Smith; PURDUE: Jaylan Alexander, Cam Allen, Branson Deen, Jalen Graham; RUTGERS: Christian Izien, Julius Turner; WISCONSIN: Keeanu Benton,Noah Burks, Nick Herbig, Faion Hicks, Isiah Mullens, Scott Nelson, Collin Wilder, Caesar Williams.
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