END GAMES

Myles Garrett emerged as a premier pass rusher last year, but he has a few guys to beat if he wants to be the best

JOEY BOSA, DE, Ohio State

The junior, one of several key contributors returning to the national champions, racked up 13½ sacks and 21 tackles for loss last year, both bests in the Big Ten. At 6'6" and 275 pounds, Bosa is explosive off the line and uses his hands well to get to the quarterback. Bosa would have been a first-round selection in this year's NFL draft had he been eligible; next year, he could be the No. 1 pick.

SHAWN OAKMAN, DE, Baylor

6'9" and 280 pounds of muscle, Oakman has a firm grasp on the title of college football's most intimidating player. He backs up that reputation with his play: Last season he set a Bears record with 11 sacks, to go along with 19½ tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. Freakishly athletic—he did a 40-inch box jump while holding 70-pound dumbbells this off-season—Oakman should show even more improvement in his second year as a starter.

SHILIQUE CALHOUN, DE, Michigan State

Bosa and the Buckeyes draw the bulk of the headlines, but the 6'5", 250-pound Calhoun is a worthy foe in the battle to be the Big Ten's top pass rusher. He chose not to enter the 2015 draft after his junior year, citing "unfinished business" in East Lansing. Calhoun, who totaled 15½ sacks over the past two seasons, will be critical to the Spartans' defensive transition after coordinator Pat Narduzzi left to become the coach at Pittsburgh.

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JAMIE SABAU/GETTY IMAGES (BOSA)

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JEROME MIRON/USA TODAY SPORTS (OAKMAN)

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RANDY LITZINGER/ICON SPORTSWIRE/AP (CALHOUN)