OSU LB Shazier picked as B1G's defensive POY

The Ohio State gold rush continued in the Big Ten preseason defensive player of the year voting.

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 (Cleveland, Ohio) Plain Dealer.

A first-team all-Big Ten pick 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 and Northwestern defensive lineman Tyler Scott had one vote.

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.

Last year, Michigan State's William Gholston was the preseason pick in this poll for defensive POY. 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.

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

My pick:

Defensive player of the year -- CB Bradley Roby Ohio State