Big Ten's Top 5 Defensive Lines: William Gholston leads field of NFL prospects

The Big Ten routinely churns out excellent defense line prospects and this year is no different. Numerous schools like Michigan State and Illinois seem to have had no problem replacing their top pass rusher.

By Mike Singer

Aug 17, 2012 at 3:15 pm ET • 2 min read

The defensive lines in the Big Ten compare favorably to the lines in every conference save for the SEC. Seven d-linemen from the Big Ten were selected in this year’s NFL draft, including Whitney Mercilus of Illinois, the nation’s leader with 16.0 sacks last season. There are numerous NFL prospects this season, beginning with William Gholston, a 6-7, 275 pound junior from Michigan State.

1. Michigan State

Even without the stats, Gholston’s size and speed make him a veritable first-round pick. His 16 tackles for loss along with five sacks as just a sophomore, however, make him a legitimate game-changing prospect. The Spartans also have sophomore Marcus Rush, an often underappreciated defensive end who lined up opposite Gholston last year. Rush, who had 12 tackles for loss, is a preseason All-Big Ten second-team selection.

2. Ohio State

Led by workout fiend John Simon, the Buckeye line returns all of its four starters from a season ago when the Ohio State defense ranked 19^th in the country in total yards allowed (323.5 per game). Simon recorded sevens sacks and 16 tackles for loss last season. DT Johnathan Hankins, a preseason All-American, forces offensive lines to pick who they’re going to double team -- Hankins or Simon. As a sophomore, Hankins was fourth on the team with 67 tackles.

3. Illinois

Even with the departure of Whitney Mercilus, the Fighting Illini’s defensive line is still loaded. Defensive end Michael Buchanan recorded 7.5 sacks last season for a defense that ranked 7^th in the country in terms of total yards. The Illini defense smothered running backs for only 123.9 rushing yards a game and allowed just 162.3 yards passing per game. Nose tackle Akeem Spence started all 13 games as a sophomore and is a potential All-Big Ten candidate.

4. Purdue

The Boilermakers return three of four starters from last season on the defensive line, including All-Big Ten first teamer DT Kawann Short. The senior led Purdue in sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (17). DT Bruce Gaston returns after recording 3 sacks and seven tackles for loss last season. Their success may depend on the pressure created up front as Purdue allowed nearly 400 yards of total offense last season.

5. Penn State

The Nitanny Lions return veteran defensive linemen Sean Stanley and Jordan Hill to a team that allowed just 16.8 ppg, fifth-best in the country. Stanley had 4.5 sacks while Hill was third on the team with eight tackles for loss. Hill, a second-team All-Big Ten preseason pick, has a huge hole to fill now that second-round pick Devon Still, who led the team with 17 tackles for loss, is playing for the Cincinnati Bengals.

For more Big Ten coverage, follow Mike Singer and Dave Carey @CBSSportsBigTen.