Minnesota Golden Gopher sophomore linebacker Blake Cashman has been named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against the Northwestern Wildcats on Saturday. The preferred walk-on from Eden Prairie led the team with a career-high 10 tackles, including two sacks and a forced fumble.
Formerly a standout on special teams, Cashman has seen his role steadily increase on defense in the latter half of the season, particularly as a blitzing linebacker on passing downs. In the Gophers’ last three games alone, Cashman has 19 tackles and five sacks. With six sacks on the season, he trails only defensive tackle Steven Richardson for the team lead.