DE - Shilique Calhoun (11-15) - 3x All-American, 3x 1st Team All-Big Ten, 2013 Big Ten DL of the Year
DT - Jerel Worthy (09-11) - 2011 Consensus All-American, 2011 1st Team All-Big Ten
DT - Malik McDowell (14-16) - 2015 All-American
DE - Kenny Willekes (16-19) - 2x All-American, 2x 1st Team All-Big Ten, 2018 Big Ten DL of the Year, 2019 Burlsworth Trophy winner (given to best player in nation who began as a walk on)
LB - Greg Jones (07-10) - 2x Consensus All-American, 3x 1st Team All-Big Ten, 2009 Big Ten Defensive POTY
LB - Denicos Allen (10-13) - 2013 All-American
LB - Max Bullough (10-13) - 2013 All-American, 2x 1st Team All-Big Ten
CB - Darqueze Dennard (10-13) - 2013 Thorpe Award, 2013 unanimous All-American, 2x 1st Team All-Big Ten
CB - Trae Waynes (11-14) - 2014 All-American, 2014 1st Team All-Big Ten
S - Kurtis Drummond (10-14) - 2x 1st Team All-Big Ten, 2014 Big Ten DB of the Year
S - Trenton Robinson (07-11) - 2x All-Big Ten