FOX Analyst Includes Former Purdue Star Ryan Kerrigan in All-Time All-Big Ten Defense
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — RJ Young, FOX college football analyst and host of The No. 1 Ranked Show, unveiled his All-Time All-Big Ten offensive and defensive teams. Among his selections for the conference's top defenders was former Purdue defensive end, Ryan Kerrigan.
.@RJ_Young's All-Time @bigten offensive/defensive team is here!
— The Number One College Football Show (@numberoneshow) July 13, 2021
Did he get it right?
🔗: https://t.co/3NFD2rNiNH pic.twitter.com/hJ65NToVKV
Kerrigan played for the Boilermakers' football program between 2007 and 2010. As a freshman, he appeared in 12 games and registered 18 tackles and one sack. He improved during his sophomore season, starting in 11 of 12 games while posting 56 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Kerrigan was a second-team All-American selection by Rivals in his junior year. He finished with 66 tackles, 13 sacks and seven forced fumbles. He also earned Purdue's "Pit Bull Award" in 2009, which was awarded to the player that exemplified and displayed tenacity and tough play.
He capped his college career as a senior in 2010 by making 70 tackles, 12.5 sacks and five forced fumbles. Kerrigan was named a first-team All-Big Ten selection, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a unanimous All-American. He also won the Bill Willis Trophy given to the nation's top collegiate defensive lineman.
After a four-year college career, Kerrigan entered the 2011 NFL Draft and was selected by the Washington Redskins in the first round with the 16th overall pick.
Young's All-time All-Big Ten selections are listed below:
All-Time Big Ten Offense
- Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
- Charles Rogers, WR, Michigan State
- David Boston, WR, Ohio State
- Desmond Howard, WR, Michigan
- Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
- Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
- Orlando Pace, OL, Ohio State
- Greg Eslinger, OL, Minnesota
- Tristan Wirfs, OL, Iowa
- Joe Thomas, OL, Wisconsin
- Jake Long, OL, Michigan
All-Time Big Ten Defense
- Charles Woodson, DB, Michigan
- Chris Gamble, DB, Ohio State
- Jack Tatum, DB, Ohio State
- Jim Leonhard, DB, Wisconsin
- Chris Spielman, LB, Ohio State
- Lavar Arrington, LB, Penn State
- Ryan Shazier, LB, Ohio State
- Ryan Kerrigan, DL, Purdue
- Bronko Nagurski, DL, Minnesota
- Chase Young, DL, Ohio State
- J.J. Watt, DL, Wisconsin
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- DAVID BELL NAMED TO MAXWELL AWARD WATCH LIST: Purdue wide receiver David Bell was among 11 Big Ten players named to the 2021 Maxwell Award watch list. He recorded 53 receptions, 625 yards and eight touchdowns last season for the Boilermakers. CLICK HERE
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- PURDUE PLAYERS ATTENDING BIG TEN MEDIA DAYS: Purdue will send coach Jeff Brohm and three players to represent the program at the 2021 Big Ten Football Media Days. George Karlaftis, David Bell and Jackson Anthrop will be attending the event. CLICK HERE
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D.J. Fezler is a staff writer for BoilermakersCountry.com. Hailing from The Region, he is from Cedar Lake in Northwest Indiana and has spent the last two years covering Purdue football and basketball.