Defensive ends Zach Harrison (media) and Tyreke Smith (coaches) and safety/linebacker Ronnie Hickman (coaches) made the second team while cornerback Denzel Burke made the coaches’ third team.
Harrison had four sacks and tied Garrett for the team lead with seven tackles for loss while Smith had three sacks and five tackles for loss despite missing three games.
Hickman led Ohio State with 97 tackles as a first-year starter. He had two interceptions, one sack and forced a fumble.
Burke, the first true freshman to start all season at cornerback for Ohio State, had 33 tackles and broke up 11 passes. He also returned an interception for a touchdown.
Cornerback Sevyn Banks and Cam Brown, safety Bryson Shaw, defensive tackles Antwuan Jackson and Taron Vincent and linebackers Steele Chambers and Tommy Eichenberg all received honorable mention.
Noah Ruggles was named the second-team kicker by the media and coaches while freshman kick returner Emeka Egbuka received honorable mention for special teams from both as well.
Historically bad run defense, missed mid-game opportunities doom Buckeyes at Michigan https://t.co/gtyGhBqZ2F
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) November 29, 2021
Ohio State had at least two players on the All-Big Ten defense first team eight of the previous nine years with the exception being 2018 when only defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones made it.
Garrett was a third-team All-Big Ten pick of the coaches last year and received honorable mention from the media.
The coaches and media both named Michigan State’s Mel Tucker, a former Ohio State assistant, the Big Ten Coach of the Year while Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was named defensive lineman and defensive player of the year.
The 2021 defensive honors were announced Tuesday with offensive honors to be revealed Wednesday.
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