There are high expectations for this Ohio State football player as it seems everybody thinks he is primed for an All-American type season.
One Ohio State football player who continues to rack up preseason honors is Nick Bosa. He has been named to yet another preseason All-American team.
Bosa was so honored by ESPN yesterday. He had previously been named to All-American teams by CBS Sports, the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise as many expect Bosa to have an even better season than last when he was named the Smith-Brown Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the year. Count me as one in that group now that he will be a full-time starter.
Bosa has excelled as a part-time player since his freshman year. Although the coaching staff tried to bring him along slowly because of the leg injury Bosa suffered as a high school senior, they couldn’t hold him back.
He performed well as a DE and when moved inside in the ‘Rushman’ package. Bosa played in 12 games during the 2016 season, registering 29 tackles with 7 of them for a loss and had 5 sacks.,
Even though he saw limited action, Bosa was named an ESPN Freshman All-American for his efforts.
Last season Bosa shined when he was inserted into the DE rotation. He had 34 tackles with 16 for a loss and 8.5 sacks.
Even though Bosa was in a loaded unit with Tyquan Lewis, Sam Hibbard and Jalyn Holmes he was named the top DE in the Big Ten. That’s very impressive when you consider those three players were chosen in the NFL draft last April.
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There is no doubt opposing coaches will now game plan to slow Bosa down but I’m not certain they will be able to do so. Partly due to the other players on the line who could make them pay if they put too much emphasis on stopping Bosa.
Sophomore DE Chase Young is becoming next to unblockable and junior Jonathon Cooper is set to have a breakout season. Also. there is three technique tackle Dre’Mont Jones as well as other talented linemen who can cause quarterbacks grief when they drop back to pass.
But there is another reason I think those who have Bosa on their preseason All-American teams are right on the money.
I’m not sure there is another defensive end in college football who can match Nick Bosa’s combination of power, speed and drive. That’s why I think he will live up to the expectations many have for the Ohio State DE this season..