Maryland's Yannick Ngakoue and Will Likely earn All-Big Ten defensive honors

Maryland defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and cornerback Will Likely were named to the All-Big Ten First Team, the conference announced Monday.

Ngakoue was selected by the coaches and the media, while Likely earned first-team honors from the coaches and second-team from the media. Linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr., defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson and cornerback Sean Davis all earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mentions (Jefferson from the coaches and Davis from the media).

Likely also received the inaugural Rodgers-Dwight Big Ten Return Specialist of the Year Award, given to the conference's top kick returner. The junior averaged 22.5 yards per kick return with one touchdown, and scored twice on punt returns.

Ngakoue joined Ohio State's Joey Bosa, Michigan State's Shilique Calhoun, and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Carl Nassib of Penn State on first team's defensive line.

The awards were announced hours after Ngakoue announced he is forgoing his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft.

The conference's offensive awards will be announced Tuesday.