WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Senior defensive tackle Gelen Robinson has been named third team All-Big Ten in a vote by the conference coaches. The conference office announced the All-Big Ten defensive and special teams as voted upon by the coaches and media today. The offensive team will be honored tomorrow and the individual award recipients Thursday.
Robinson, a native of Schererville, Indiana, was moved from end to tackle prior to the season and thrived in the interior. Starting all 12 games, he tallied a team-high 11.5 tackles for loss, including 4.0 sacks, racked up 48 total tackles, two PBUs and forced and recovered a fumble during the regular season.
A number of Boilermaker defenders were recognized with honorable mention honors by the conference. In a vote by the coaches, Linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (89 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 3 PBU, 2 FF and a 76-yard pick-6), defensive end Danny Ezechukwu (45 tackles, 7.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks, PBU, INT, FF and a school-record-tying 3 FR), defensive tackle Lorenzo Neal (19 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1.0 sack, PBU, FR, 2 FF) and safety Jacob Thieneman (74 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks 2 PBU, INT, FR) were all feted.
Linebacker Markus Bailey (78 tackles, 10.0 TFL, 7.0 sacks, 2 PBU, INT, FR, FF), cornerback Da'Wan Hunte (41 tackles, 1.0 TFL, 7 PBU, INT) and cornerback Josh Okonye (56 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 1.0 sacks, 9 PBU) joined Bentley, Ezechukwu, Neal and Robinson in the media's honorable mention vote.
Punter Joe Schopper (67 punts, 2,694 yards, 40.2 avg., 28 I20, 15 50+ punts) was recognized by the media with honorable mention honors for special teams.
Offensive linemen Kirk Barron and David Steinmetz were feted with honorable mention recognition by the conference's media.
The Boilermakers (6-6, 4-5 Big Ten) will learn their bowl destination Sunday.