Jake Ryan of Westlake, a linebacker for the University of Michigan, has been named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week.

Ryan, a junior, had a stellar performance last weekend against Illinois in the Wolverines' 45-0 Homecoming win. He finished with 11 tackles, tying his career high, with seven solo tackles, 3.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks as well as one forced fumble. The Michigan defense allowed just 134 yards total offense, 29 passing yards and seven first downs in the game.

This is the first time Ryan, a St. Ignatius graduate, has been named Big Ten Player of the Week.

This season, Ryan leads the Wolverines in total tackles (42), solo stops (26), tackles-for-loss (7.5), sacks (2.5) and pass breakups (3). He has already set career marks in tackles, stops for losses and pass breakups.

In the last two games, against Purdue and Illinois, Ryan has 17 tackles, 5.5 stops for losses (for 30 yards), 2.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Ryan has made a tackle for loss in 11 of his last 12 games.

The Wolverines, ranked 23rd at 4-2 (2-0 Big Ten), will face Michigan State (4-3, 1-2 Big Ten) Saturday.