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5 days ago
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Top 5 pass rushers in the Big Ten for 2025 season
The post Top 5 pass rushers in the Big Ten for 2025 season appeared first on ClutchPoints. The college football season is right around the corner, and it is going to be an exciting one in the Big Ten. The conference is loaded with good teams, and there are high expectations after back-to-back national championships. Michigan won it all in 2023, and Ohio State captured the crown last season. There should be a good amount of teams that are still alive and contending for a national championship at the end of the 2025 season, and it will be exciting to see if another team from this conference can pull it off. In terms of contenders in the Big Ten, Ohio State, Penn State and Oregon are the teams that you can essentially write in to make the College Football Playoff. All three teams made it last year, and they are all expected to be among the best teams in the country this year as well. Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and USC are all teams to watch, too. The Hoosiers and Wolverines both have CFP experience, and they are hoping to make it again. USC and Illinois are looking for their first appearance. Every year, the Big Ten has some of the best defenses in the country, and that will be no different this season. Defense wins championships, and teams in this conference take that mantra seriously. There are a lot of important positions on that side of the football, but it all starts with getting pressure on the quarterback. Here are the top-five pass rushers in the Big Ten ahead of the 2025 season: 5. TJ Guy, Michigan The Michigan football team had one of the best defenses in the country last season, and the Wolverines are expected to have an elite unit once again this season. The pressure that Michigan was able to get on the QB last year is a big reason why the defense had so much success. The team did lose some elite defensive linemen to the NFL like Mason Graham and Josiah Stewart, but the Wolverines are still in good hands this year, and one guy who will have a huge role defensively is TJ Guy. Last season was Guy's first year having a big role on this Michigan football team, and he didn't disappoint. He finished the season with 32 total tackles and 5.5 sacks. This season, he is going to be on the field even more. All of his coaches and teammates have been raving about him during the offseason, and it looks like a big year is coming. 4. Gabe Jacas, Illinois Watch out for the Illinois football team next season. In every Big Ten position group ranking ahead of the 2025 season, you are going to see the Fighting Illini near the top. Not a lot of people are talking about this team because it isn't traditionally a football power, but Bret Bielema has this team in a great spot ahead of the 2025 season. Remember, Illinois won 10 games last season, and they are expected to be even better this year. The Coaches Poll was released yesterday, and the Fighting Illini are ranked #12. This team is good, and Gabe Jacas is one of the best players. Gabe Jacas had a massive year in 2024 as he finished the season with 74 total tackles, eight sacks and three forced fumbles. He is a remarkable force for this Illinois team, and he is going to have a major impact on this defense. His ability to get to the QB makes everyone's job easier. 3. Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State Dani Dennis-Sutton is going to be one of the most exciting players to watch in the Big Ten this season, and the Penn State football team is going to be one of the best teams in the country. The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 3 in the preseason Coaches Poll, and guys like Dennis-Sutton are why. Penn State had a lot of talent that could've went to the NFL after last season, but a lot of them came back to chase a national title. Dennis-Sutton is one of them. He is one of the top pass rushers in the Big Ten and the country. Last season was an impressive one for Dani Dennis-Sutton. He ended up racking up 42 total tackles, 8.5 sacks, three passes defended, two forced fumbles and one interception. He can truly do it all, and it's going to be exciting to see what kind of strides he took during this offseason. He is going to be a nightmare for opposing offenses. 2. Derrick Moore, Michigan The Michigan football team is going to have a terrific pass rusher duo this season as Derrick Moore is also back and ready to wreak havoc in opposing backfields. Moore and Guy might not have flashier stats than some of these other guys on the list, but they also had to share the field with some of the best defensive players in the entire country last year. This year, the show is going to be theirs, and they both showed in Michigan's bowl game against Alabama that they are ready. Michigan ended the 2024 season with a win against Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl, and their NFL players did not participate in that one. The defense didn't miss a beat, and that is why people are so optimistic about the 2025 season. The Wolverines are going to be good on defense, so the offense will remain the question. 1. Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon The best pass rusher in the Big Ten ahead of the 2025 season is Matayo Uiagalelei, who plays for the Oregon football team. The Ducks spent most of last season ranked #1 in the country, and they are expected to be one of the best teams in the nation once again. Last year, their season ultimately came to an end because the defense was completely carved up against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl. Performances like that can't happen again, and it starts up front in the trenches. Matayo Uiagalelei had a huge year for Oregon last season as he finished with 38 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one pass defended and one interception. He always filled up the stat sheet, and he is one of the best players in college football. The top pass rushers in the Big Ten are going to be exciting to watch this season, and they will be among the best defensive players in the country. Related: Why Nebraska football is unranked sleeper team, per insider Related: Insider tabs Oklahoma football as unranked sleeper to watch in 2025
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Abdul Carter on first week of Giants training camp
SNY's Niki Lattarulo speaks with Abdul Carter about his first week of training camp with the Giants, his thoughts on his fellow pass rushers, and the celebrations he'll be using this season.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs scouting report: Texas Tech Red Raiders DE David Bailey
The Kansas City Chiefs stayed true to their preferences when they selected Ashton Gillotte over more explosive pass rushers in the 2025 NFL draft. The front office might still be haunted by missing on Felix Anudike-Uzomah, but Kansas City needs to diversify its defensive end room. Fortunately, the 2026 NFL draft features several high-ranking, athletic sack artists. David Bailey began his career at Stanford before transferring to Texas Tech for the upcoming season. Draft analysts view him as one of the top edge rushers in the class. The Athletic's Dane Brugler recently ranked him in the top five for prospects at the position. The 2026 draft features several other explosive rushers, including Anto Saka, R Mason Thomas and Boubacar Traore, but Bailey is the best version of that archetype. Bailey accelerates off the line of scrimmage with an explosive first step that generates some instantaneous wins. Offensive linemen struggle to match his speed up the arc. The phrase 'if he's even, he's leaving' usually refers to wide receivers beating cornerbacks, but it applies to Bailey's style of play too. Even if the offensive tackle keeps pace, Bailey's springy agility helps him work across the lineman's face and into the B-gap for a counterattack. Bailey's loose frame bends low to the ground to dip under the offensive tackle's hands and flatten his rush angle to the quarterback. This is an element largely absent from Kansas City's current pass rush rotation, which focuses on defensive ends, like Gillotte and George Karlaftis, who build their rush plans around power. Bailey's pass rush plan includes club-swims, rips, speed rushes around the corner or through the B-gap, swipe-rips and a developmental spin move. He lacks the bulk to consistently win with bull rushes but generates some push by converting speed to power. Bailey's pass rush arsenal is still incomplete, but his skill set complements Kansas City's current defensive end room. Bailey isn't a high-level run defender, but his speed and range make him a threat to pursue screen plays or running backs downfield. This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2026 NFL draft scouting report: Texas Tech Red Raiders DE David Bailey
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Show Them The Money: Five Pass Rushers Set to Cash In After T.J. Watt's Record Deal
T.J. Watt just made several top-tier pass rushers extremely happy with his new deal. The four-time First-Team All-Pro defensive end agreed to a three-year, $123 million extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. Watt will average $41 million annually, topping Myles Garrett by $1 million after he set the record earlier this summer. With Watt resetting the market for premier defensive ends, here are five pass rushers who will benefit from that deal. Micah Parsons With Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones dragging his feet on giving Micah Parsons an extension, it just got more expensive thanks to Watt's new deal. Parsons appears to be getting annoyed by how long it's taking to get done, recently telling the 'Six Feet Under' podcast that ownership is making it 'more complicated than it has to be.' Jones did the same thing with Dak Prescott, eventually signing the quarterback for four years and $240 million with $231 million guaranteed. Parsons has made the Pro Bowl in each of his first four seasons, is a two-time All-Pro, was named Defensive Rookie of the Year and already has 52.5 sacks in his career. Jones is going to have to exceed Watt's contract at this point to keep Parsons in Dallas. Aidan Hutchinson Aidan Hutchinson's 2024 season was cut short after five games when the Detroit Lions star went down with a torn ACL. In those five games, he already had 7.5 sacks. The second-overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft has helped turn Detroit's franchise around. Once considered a laughingstock, the Lions have emerged as one of the top teams in the NFL, thanks in part to Hutchinson. He has 28.5 sacks in 39 career games and even though he has two years left on his rookie contract, the Lions will want to lock him up long-term and it will cost at least $40 million annually to do so. The good news for Detroit is Hutchinson will be back healthy for the 2025 season. Trey Hendrickson Trey Hendrickson has been in a contract standoff with the Cincinnati Bengals as he enters the final year of his deal that pays him $16 million. Thanks to Watt's new deal, Hendrickson has gained leverage in negotiations. Hendrickson is coming off back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons and was named All-Pro for the first time in his career. In fact, Hendrickson has more sacks than Watt over the last two seasons — 35 to 30.5. The Bengals don't appear to want to trade Hendrickson and with drama surrounding the contract stalemate with first-round pick Shemar Stewart, it would benefit Cincinnati to get a deal done with the four-time Pro Bowler. Will Anderson Jr. The Houston Texans selected Will Anderson Jr. with the third-overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and all he has done is become one of the top young defensive ends in the league. He was named Defensive Rookie of the Year and has recorded 18 sacks in his first two years in the NFL. According to Pro Football Focus, Anderson was the 10th-highest rated defensive end in football in 2024. He still has two years left on his rookie contract, but extension talks will soon be looming, and since he's only 23, it wouldn't be surprising if he surpasses Watt's contract. Jared Verse Jared Verse's numbers in his first year might not immediately stand out — just 4.5 sacks — but the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year finished ninth in Pro Football Focus' pass rush grade at 85.5. On top of that, the Los Angeles Rams defensive end was credited with 24 incompletions and three interceptions created, and had the fourth-highest double-team rate at 23.3%. The players ahead of him: Parsons, Garrett and Maxx Crosby. Verse is an athletic and powerful presence at his position and if he keeps up his production, he will be getting paid in the next few years. Related Headlines Top MLB reporter: Teams Will 'Laugh At' Luis Robert Jr. If He Makes This Demand Did Kyle Schwarber's All-Star Game Heroics Drive Up His Price With Free Agency Looming? MLB Reporter Predicts Phillies 'Geared Up to Do Something Huge' At Trade Deadline Disgraced former NFLPA boss reportedly used union funds for jaunts at strip clubs
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Dolphins Ecstatic to Have Trio of Pass Rushers Healthy
Dolphins Ecstatic to Have Trio of Pass Rushers Healthy originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Miami Dolphins have three dynamic pass rushers, who are all expected to be healthy heading into the 2025 season. Advertisement According to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN, this is the first time that Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, and 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson have all practiced together. "I feel myself smiling," Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said. "I think having you know both Bradley and Jaelan back is something... it's a different presence that I think has been understated and has been gigantic." Chubb missed all of last season recovering from multiple torn ligaments in his knee, while Phillips missed much of 2024 with a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The trio of defenders have all flashed their pass rushing abilities, with Chubb as the most established player in the group and Robinson taking the role of the rising star. Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler (92), linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) and linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Hartline-Imagn Images Chubb says he is excited about the chance to work in rotation with Robinson and Phillips. Advertisement "Sitting down with Chop, seeing when he started to turn it on, I [was] just smiling from ear to ear because I know the potential we had," Chubb said. "I know when 'JP' got back, once I got back, it was going to be a lot of thinking for the offensive side to do." Robinson racked up six sacks last season, but Legwold says he was one of the best pass rushers in the NFL in the final 11 weeks of the season, with the third-highest quarterback pressure rate in the league during that span. Phillips had 6.5 sacks in eight games before going down with a torn Achilles in 2023, and Chubb had 11 sacks before getting hurt in Week 17 of the same season. The potential is clearly there, it will just be a matter of health for a group of edge rushers that could surprise some people as one of the best in the NFL. Related: Dolphins' $54 Million Pro Bowler Could Be Released After 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
