| | 2006 - LaMarr Woodley, Michigan |
| | 2005 - A.J. Hawk, Ohio St |
| | 2004 - David Pollack, Georgia |
| | 2003 - Tommie Harris, Oklahoma |
| | 2002 - Terrell Suggs, Arizona St |
| | 2001 - Julius Peppers, UNC |
| | 2000 - Jamal Reynolds, Florida St |
| | 1999 - Corey Moore, Va Tech |
| | 1998 - Dat Nguyen, Texas A&M |
| | 1997 - Grant Wistrom, Nebraska |
| | 1996 - Orlando Pace, Ohio St |
| | 1995 - Orlando Pace, Ohio St |
| | 1994 - Warren Sapp, Miami |
| | 1993 - Aaron Taylor, N Dame |
| | 1992 - Marvin Jones, Florida St |
| | 1991 - Steve Emtman, Washington |
| | 1990 - Chris Zorich, N Dame |
| | 1989 - Percy Snow, Mich St |
| | 1988 - Tracy Rocker, Auburn |
| | 1987 - Chris Spielman, Ohio St |
| | 1986 - Cornelius Bennett, Alabama |
| | 1985 - Tony Casillas, Oklahoma |
| | 1984 - Tony Degrate, Texas |
| | 1983 - Dean Steinkuhler, Nebraska |
| | 1982 - Dave Rimington, Nebraska |
| | 1981 - Kenneth Sims, Texas |
| | 1980 - Hugh Green, Pittsburgh |
| | 1979 - Brad Budde, USC |
| | 1978 - Bruce Clark, Penn State |
| | 1977 - Ross Browner, N Dame |
| | 1976 - Wilson Whitley, Houston |
| | 1975 - Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma |
| | 1974 - Randy White, Maryland |
| | 1973 - John Hicks, Ohio St |
| | 1972 - Rich Glover, Nebraska |
| | 1971 - Walt Patulski, N Dame |
| | 1970 - Jim Stillwagon, Ohio St |