The accolades continue to pile up for Penn State’s defensive superstar, as Anthony Zettel was recently named to the preseason All-Big Ten Team. He tied for Big Ten lead with four forced fumbles which, coupled with his fumble recovery in the Big Ten title game vs. Wisconsin, led directly or indirectly to 37 Ohio State points. A select media panel voted for five players in the East and West division with the West garnering six players because of a tie. He was explosive on special teams, too, leading the conference in kick return average (31.0) and ranking third in punt return average (11.1).
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Of the 10 players named to the list, Ohio State had two: junior running back Ezekiel Elliott and junior defensive end Joey Bosa.
In the East division, in which the Terps play, Ohio State and Michigan State each had two players selected with Penn State having the other. Huskers defensive tackle Maliek Collins and wide receiver De’Mornay Pierson-El were joined on the list by Badgers safety Michael Caputo and running back Corey Clement. Northwestern running back Justin Jackson and Iowa defensive end Drew Ott round out the players to watch.
The Players to Watch list includes the reigning Big Ten Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player and Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year in Bosa, while Calhoun was tabbed the 2013 Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year.
Elliott also was the victor of the Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States in 2014.
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A preseason second team All-Big Ten selection by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele, Ott was named second team All-Big Ten by league media following the 2014 campaign.
