Collegiate

  • 2021 - Nakobe Dean, Georgia
  • 2020 - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
  • 2019 - Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
  • 2018 - Devin White, LSU
  • 2017 - Roquan Smith, Georgia
  • 2016 - Reuben Foster, Alabama
  • 2015 - Jaylon Smith, Notre Dame
  • 2014 - Eric Kendricks, UCLA
  • 2013 - C.J. Mosley, Alabama
  • 2012 - Manti Te'o, Notre Dame
  • 2011 - Luke Kuechly, Boston College
  • 2010 - Von Miller, Texas A&M
  • 2009 - Rolando McClain, Alabama
  • 2008 - Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
  • 2007 - James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
  • 2006 - Patrick Willis, Mississippi
  • 2005 - Paul Posluszny, Penn State
  • 2004 - Derrick Johnson, Texas
  • 2003 - Teddy Lehman, Oklahoma
  • 2002 - E. J. Henderson, Maryland
  • 2001 - Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma
  • 2000 - Dan Morgan, Miami
  • 1999 - LaVar Arrington, Penn State
  • 1998 - Chris Claiborne, U.S.C.
  • 1997 - Andy Katzenmoyer, Ohio State
  • 1996 - Matt Russell, Colorado
  • 1995 - Kevin Hardy, Illinois
  • 1994 - Dana Howard, Illinois
  • 1993 - Trev Alberts, Nebraska
  • 1992 - Marvin Jones, Florida State
  • 1991 - Erick Anderson, Michigan
  • 1990 - Alfred Williams, Colorado
  • 1989 - Percy Snow, Michigan State
  • 1988 - Derrick Thomas, Alabama
  • 1987 - Paul McGowan, Florida State
  • 1986 - Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma
  • 1985 - Brian Bosworth, Oklahoma

Professional

  • 2021-22 - Micah Parsons, Dallas Cowboys
  • 2020-21 - TJ Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers
  • 2019-20 - Chandler Jones, Arizona Cardinals
  • 2018-19 - Khalil Mack, Chicago Bears
  • 2017-18 - Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
  • 2016-17 - Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders
  • 2015 - Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
  • 2014 - Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
  • 2013 - NaVorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers
  • 2012 - Von Miller, Denver Broncos
  • 2011 - Terrell Suggs, Baltimore Ravens
  • 2011 - DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys
  • 2010 - Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
  • 2009 - Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
  • 2008 - DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys

High School

  • 2021 - Shawn Murphy, Unity Reed
  • 2020 - Prince Kollie, David Crockett
  • 2019 - Justin Flowe, Upland HS
  • 2018 - Nakobe Dean, Horn Lake
  • 2017 - Solomon Tuliaupupu, Mater Dei
  • 2016 - Dylan Moses, IMG Academy
  • 2015 - Caleb Kelly, Clovis West
  • 2014 - Malik Jefferson, Ralph H. Poteet
  • 2013 - Raekwon McMillan, Liberty County
  • 2012 - Jaylon Smith, Bishop Luers
  • 2011 - Noor Davis, Leesburg
  • 2010 - Tony Steward, Menendez
  • 2009 - Jordan Hicks, Lakota West
  • 2008 - Manti Te'o, Punahou