Michigan State defensive end Kenny Willekes was named the Big Ten's Smith-Brown defensive lineman of the year and also earned unanimous first-team All-Big Ten defensive honors Tuesday.
Willekes, a former walk-on, snapped a streak of four straight years the award was won by Ohio State players. He is only the second MSU player to win the award, joining Shilique Calhoun (2013).
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound junior had 20.5 of his 76 tackles for lost yardage, a Big Ten high. He leads the Spartans with 8.5 sacks and 12 QB hurries, forced a fumble and recovered another while playing in all 12 games.
Willekes was joined on the coaches' All-Big Ten first team by junior Joe Bachie, who leads the Spartans with 94 tackles this season. The 6-2, 238-pound middle linebacker had 8.5 tackles for a loss, including a sack, five pass breakups, three forced fumbles and an interception and a fumble recovery.
MSU leads the nation in run defense (81.3 yards per game) and ranks 14th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense (311.5 yards) and scoring defense (18.0 points).
Matt Coghlin was named first-team All-Big Ten kicker by the league's media. The sophomore is 16 of 19 on field-goal attempts and perfect in 25 extra-point kicks. Coghlin, who also scored a rushing touchdown at Indiana, earned third-team honors per the coaches.
Junior cornerback Justin Layne earned unanimous second-team honors, tying for the Big Ten lead in passes defended (16) and breakups (15) along with 72 tackles and an interception. Bachie joined Layne on the media's second-team.
Junior defensive tackle Raequan Williams was a unanimous third-team selection with 49 tackles, 9.5 for a loss and 1.5 sacks along with five pass breakups. Junior safety David Dowell (55 tackles, two interceptions) earned a spot on the coaches third-team, while senior safety Khari Willis (81 tackles, two interceptions, eight breakups) was a third-team pick by the league media.
Senior LB Andrew Dowell and junior DT Mike Panasiuk were honorable mentions by both the coaches and media. Willis landed on the coaches' honorable mention list and was MSU's Sportsmanship Award recipient. Sophomore kick returner Connor Heyward also earned media honorable mention.
The Spartans (7-5, 5-4 Big Ten) are awaiting their bowl assignment after beating Rutgers, 14-10, on Saturday.