Edwards, Nelson pace Badgers’ All-Big Ten defensive selections

Photo by: Bob Campbell

Edwards, Nelson pace Badgers’ All-Big Ten defensive selections

November 28, 2017 | Football

Twelve UW defenders earn all-league honors

MADISON, Wis. — Junior linebacker T.J. Edwards and junior cornerback Nick Nelson earned consensus first-team All-Big Ten honors, leading a contingent of 12 Wisconsin defensive players to earn all-league recognition on Tuesday.

The Badgers boast the nation's best defense, and the Big Ten's coaches and media recognized that by honoring three UW defensive linemen, four linebackers and five defensive backs.

Edwards is one of five finalists for the Butkus Award, presented to the top linebacker in the country. Nelson leads the country in pass breakups, amassing a school-record 20 so far this season.

The league also announced its special teams honorees and UW junior kicker Rafael Gaglianone earned consensus second-team laurels.

Wisconsin All-Big Ten Honorees (defense and special teams)

ILB T.J. Edwards – first-team All-Big Ten (consensus)
CB Nick Nelson – first-team All-Big Ten (consensus)
S D'Cota Dixon – first-team All-Big Ten (coaches) / third-team All-Big Team (media)
DE Alec James – second-team All-Big Ten (consensus)
K Rafael Gaglianone – second-team All-Big Ten (consensus)
DE Conor Sheehy – second-team All-Big Ten (coaches) / third-team All-Big Team (media)
OLB Garret Dooley – second-team All-Big Ten (coaches) / third-team All-Big Team (media)
CB Derrick Tindal – third-team All-Big Ten (coaches) / honorable mention All-Big Ten (media)
ILB Ryan Connelly – honorable mention All-Big Ten (consensus)
S Joe Ferguson – honorable mention All-Big Ten (consensus) / Big Ten Sportsmanship Award
OLB Leon Jacobs – honorable mention All-Big Ten (consensus)
S Natrell Jamerson – honorable mention All-Big Ten (consensus)
NT Olive Sagapolu – honorable mention All-Big Ten (consensus)