The WireStatus · ConfirmedImpact · low
Minnesota · Big Ten
Minnesota · Big TenAnthony Smith projected as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year
Minnesota’s 12.5-sack defensive lineman is Yahoo Sports’ preseason pick for 2026.
WD
The Pate State Wire DeskVerified reporting · full source list below · monitored by an editor
● Confirmed
AUG 29, 2026
AUG 29, 2026
Yahoo Sports projects Minnesota defensive lineman Anthony Smith as its 2026 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year candidate after he recorded 21 solo tackles and 12.5 sacks last season.
Smith had two sacks across Buffalo and Northwestern State, then two in the Rate Bowl win over New Mexico. Minnesota went 8-5 overall and 5-4 in the Big Ten in 2025 and opens 2026 against Eastern Illinois on Thursday, Sept. 3. It is a Yahoo preseason projection; the Big Ten does not release official preseason projections.
Sourcing & standards: Reporting via Yahoo Sports. Produced by the Pate State Wire Desk under the site's verification rules, monitored by an editor. Corrections are timestamped, never silent.