Big Ten Network Analyst Names Aaron Casey as One of Conference's Most Underrated Players

Indiana linebacker Aaron Casey was named one of the Big Ten's five most underrated football players by BTN analyst Jake Butt on Wednesday. Casey is a sixth-year player for coach Tom Allen and the Hoosiers, and is a captain of this Indiana football team.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Everyone in Bloomington was already aware just how good No. 44 on the Indiana defense is, but word is getting around now to the rest of Big Ten and to all of the college football world. 

This is, of course, in reference to Aaron Casey, the sixth-year linebacker and the de facto on-field leader for coach Tom Allen and the Hoosiers. 

On Wednesday, former Michigan tight end and current Big Ten Network analyst Jake Butt named Casey as one of the five most underrated football players in the conference. 

Casey is joined on Butt's list by Maryland running back Roman Hemby, Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara, Rutgers defensive lineman Aaron Lewis and Wisconsin safety Hunter Wohler. 

Don't sleep on these B1G 🏈 talents!@Jbooty88 lists 5⃣ guys who should be getting more shine across the conference: pic.twitter.com/olg0rLXwTd

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) September 13, 2023

Casey finished the 2022 season as Indiana's leading tackler, and is one of only a few players on the transfer-heavy defense who previously started at IU. 

Through two games in the 2023 football season, Casey has racked up 18 total tackles, and 1.0 tackles for loss. Though everyone wearing Crimson looked like a superstar when matched up against Indiana State in Week 2, Casey drew rave reviews from his performance in Week 1 against Ohio State, when he finished with 11 total tackles. 

The veteran linebacker was closing through gaps like a mad man, and his tackle behind the line of scrimmage on a 3rd & 2 during the Buckeyes' first drive of the season was one of the plays of the game. 

Still thinking about this Aaron Casey hit from Saturday #IUFB pic.twitter.com/ykp8T9557W

— Dan Olinger (@dan_olinger) September 6, 2023

The eye test backs up Butt's claim that Casey is one of the most underrated players in the Big Ten, but there are data and numbers to defend the take as well. 

Pro Football Focus (better known as PFF) has Casey graded as the 27th-best linebacker in the entire country through the first two weeks of the season. Likewise, Casey's 79.6 overall PFF grade is tied for the second-best mark amongst all linebackers in the Big Ten. The only player at the position in the conference with a higher grade is Rutgers linebacker Deion Jennings at 83.0. 

Casey gets another chance on Saturday to prove Butt and many others correct in their assessment of him. Indiana will be taking on the Louisville Cardinals, who under new coach Jeff Brohm have averaged 47.5 points and 582 yards per game so far this season.

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• OPENING LINE: Heading into a Week 3 contest at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indiana is a 9.5-point underdog against the 2-0 Louisville Cardinals. CLICK HERE