Even as the identity of the conference shifts toward spread offenses, the Big Ten still prides itself on being powerful at the line of scrimmage. Entering 2015, the B1G boasts a handful of defensive lineman and linebacker who promise to make life difficult for opposing running backs.

5) Vince Biegel | LB | Wisconsin | 6’4, 244 | Jr.

Behind Joey Bosa and Anthony Zettel, Vince Biegel is third among returning Big Ten players in tackles for loss. The former four-star prospect and No. 16 outside linebacker in the 2012 class came into his own during his sophomore season and should be ready to take on a primary role in 2015. Under new head coach Paul Chryst, Biegel has a chance to become one of the more dominant run-stuffers in the Big Ten. The rising junior was tabbed a first-team All-Big Ten preseason selection by Phil Steele.

4) Joey Bosa | DE | Ohio State | 6’5, 278 | Jr.

At some point during the 2015 NFL Draft, you likely found yourself surprised that Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa wasn’t eligible to be selected. That’s because after his sophomore season with the Buckeyes, the Fort Lauderdale native betrayed no signs of being anything less than ready to make the jump to the pros. Bosa logged 21 tackles for loss in 2014, including a memorable game-winning bulldozing of Christian Hackenberg in overtime against Penn State. The 278-pound lineman isn’t just a force in the pass rush, however. Bosa’s elite athleticism makes him highly versatile, allowing Luke Fickell and Chris Ash in a variety of ways, including to clog up running lanes against teams that spread to run.

3) Joshua Perry | LB | Ohio State | 6’4, 252 | Sr.

Perry had a breakout campaign during the Buckeyes national championship run and comes back for his senior season as the Big Ten’s leading returning tackler. Working behind a line that features Joey Bosa and Adolphus Washington, the No. 13 outside linebacker prospect in the 2012 class will be well-situated to replicate if not build upon his 124-tackle season from a year ago.

2) Anthony Zettel | DT | Penn State | 6’4, 274 | Sr.

Remember the Penn State player who made headlines by tackling a tree? Yeah, that was Nittany Lions defensive tackle Anthony Zettel. The converted defensive end is back for his senior season after logging 17 tackles for loss in 2014, including eight quarterback sacks. “Quarterback sacks? That doesn’t have anything to do with being a run-stuffer,” you might say. And you’re right! But even if you subtract those, dropping nine running backs behind the line of scrimmage is still awfully impressive, and his ability as a pass-rusher only adds to his value. We’re not here to punish versatility.

According to CBSSports.com, Zettel enters 2015 positioned as the No. 4 defensive tackle in the upcoming draft class.

1) Adolphus Washington | DT | Ohio State | 6’4, 290 | Sr.

The 2015 Ohio State Buckeyes will be completely unfair, and Adolphus Washington will, in both the literal and figurative sense, be a big reason why. A projected top-15 NFL Draft pick, Washington can line up at both tackle and defensive end, likely projecting as a 3-4 end at the next level. Washington logged 10.5 tackles for loss in 2014 as part of an Ohio State defense that yielded fewer than four yards per rush attempt. (The Buckeyes’ performance against the run looks even better if you throw out the 370 yards they gave up to Navy’s triple-option attack in the season-opener.)