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The top returning Big Ten defensive tackles entering the 2017 season are a group of high-motor guys who produce week-in, week-out.

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This season’s top defensive tackles in the Big Ten weren’t necessarily can’t-miss prospects in high school. And their measurables aren’t quite ideal, accordingly to the NFL scouting handbook. But they’re week-in, week-out producers, capable of overcoming whatever might be lacking in size or notoriety with the drive and the determination to succeed. Interestingly, the league’s premier interior defensive lineman in 2017 might wind up being a fifth-year senior who had to share reps a season ago.

Top Returning Big Ten Defensive Tackles

5. Dre’Mont Jones, Ohio State

Jones was overshadowed by Houston’s Ed Oliver and Clemson’s Dexter Lawrence, but he was auspicious in his debut as well. Jones converted to tackle, since the Buckeyes are loaded at end, and finished with 52 tackles and four stops for loss as a key member of the 2016 rotation after Tracy Sprinkle was lost to injury. The 6-3, 280-pound Jones still moves and thinks like a pass rusher, using his quickness and athleticism to beat opposing blockers off the snap.

4. Nathan Bazata, Iowa

Bazata is the one sure thing on the interior of a Hawkeye D-line moving forward without standout Jaleel Johnson. After picking up honorable mention All-Big Ten as a junior, Bazata will be asked to anchor the run defense in Iowa City in his finale. He’s a little undersized at 6-2 and 285 pounds, but he’s a blue-collar grinder who operates with all of the will and toughness of a former walk-on and high school wrestling champ.

3. Conor Sheehy, Wisconsin

There’s so much to like about Sheehy, an All-Big Ten Third Team selection a year ago. He’s tough, physical and unlikely to ever take a play off. He is the quintessential Badger defender. Plus, he proved last season that he’s versatile, starting half the season at end and the balance of the year, including the Cotton Bowl, at the nose. The 6-4, 288-pound Sheehy won’t light up a box score, but his work in the trenches helps free up the linebackers and safeties to make stops.

2. Steven Richardson, Minnesota

Richardson has a certain Aaron Donald-like quality to him. He’s undersized at 6-0 and 300 pounds and was overlooked coming out of high school, yet he’s been wildly disruptive as a collegian. Richardson is about to enter his fourth season as a starter, earning Third Team All-Big Ten after making 11 tackles for loss, seven sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in 2016. He’s quick and very strong, playing with the leverage to get underneath his man’s pad level.

1. Maurice Hurst, Michigan

A role player in Ann Arbor in 2016, Hurst is set to blossom into an NFL-caliber star in his final season of eligibility. The 6-2, 282-pounder is in a great position to become the Wolverines’ most decorated player of the upcoming campaign. Hurst is experienced, high energy and very quick to the backfield. Even while sharing reps with Ryan Glasgow, Hurst finished last year with solid numbers, 34 tackles, 11.5 stops for loss, 4.5 sacks and seven quarterback hurries. Call it a down payment for what’s to come in 2017.

MORE: Top Returning Defensive Tackles In College Football For 2017