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Ryan Shazier was named the Big Ten's defensive player of the year in a preseason media poll, getting 16 of 26 votes.

(Gene J. Puskar, Associated Press)

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State junior linebacker Ryan Shazier was picked as the Big Ten's preseason defensive player of the year in a poll of 26 conference writers organized by The Plain Dealer.

A first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media last season, and a second-team choice by the coaches, Shazier received 16 of 26 votes, well ahead of runner-up Chris Borland. The senior linebacker from Wisconsin received four votes. He was a first-team All-Big Ten pick by the coaches last season and honorable mention from the media.

Michigan State linebacker Max Bullough received three votes, Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby got two votes (including one from this voter) and Northwestern defensive lineman Tyler Scott had one vote.

Wisconsin's Chris Borland (44) finished second in the preseason defensive player of the year voting.

Shazier had 115 tackles last season, and his average of 9.6 per game ranked second in the conference. Borland was seventh in the Big Ten last season with 8.7 tackles per game, while Bullough was ninth with 8.5 per game.

Scott tied Ohio State's John Simon for the league lead with nine sacks last year, while Roby led the league in passes defended.

Last year, Michigan State's William Gholston was the preseason pick in this poll for defensive player of the year with 11 of 24 votes. Purdue's Kawann Short had five votes, Ohio State's Johnathan Hankins had three and Simon, who would go on to win the Big Ten's defensive player of the year award, was picked by two writers (including me.)

This is the second win for Ohio State, which was also picked by 25 of 26 writers to win the Big Ten title.

More poll results are ahead with offensive player of the year, the best coach and more.

Big Ten Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

1. Ryan Shazier,

LB, Ohio State 16



2. Chris Borland,

LB, Wisconsin 4



3. Max Bullough,

LB, Michigan State 3



4. Bradley Roby,

CB, Ohio State 2



5. Tyler Scott,

DL, Northwestern 1