Scarlet Sunrise: Nick Bosa wins AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year

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Former Buckeyes DE Nick Bosa wins AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Former Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa was named AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Thursday night after leading the league with 18.5 sacks during the 2022 season for San Francisco 49ers. Bosa is the second Buckeyes alum to win the award. The first was Denver Broncos linebacker Randy Gradishar in 1978.

Bosa received 46-of-50 first-place votes. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (101 voting points) was the runner-up for the award, but Parsons didn’t get a single first-place vote. The other first-place votes went to Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones (56 voting points, one first-place vote), Philadelphia Eagles edge rusher Haason Reddick (two first-place votes) and New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (one first-place vote).

Well deserved 👑 @nbsmallerbear pic.twitter.com/QouD600Ku5

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) February 10, 2023

Bosa’s 18.5 sacks were good for a career high. His previous best was 15.5 sacks last season. Bosa was a focal point of a 49ers defense that was No. 1 in the NFL in both scoring defense (16.3 points per game allowed) and total defense (300.6 total yards per game allowed).

Bosa was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He notched nine sacks as a rookie but suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the second week of the 2020 season. Bosa has bounced back to log 34 sacks over the last two seasons. He also was responsible for 48 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and 19 tackles for loss in 2022. His 41 solo tackles this season were the most in his young career, too.

The three-time Pro Bowler didn’t record a sack in the 49ers’ three-game playoff run, but he did total 11 tackles and four TFLs in the postseason.

San Francisco picked up Bosa’s fifth-year option ahead of the 2022 season. A long-term contract is on the horizon for the premier pass rusher.

Bosa ended his Ohio State career tied for 14th in program history with 17.5 sacks. Of course, his Buckeyes career was cut short because of a bilateral core muscle injury he suffered in the third game of the 2018 season that required surgery. His older brother, Joey Bosa — a pass rusher for the Chargers — is fourth all-time in the school record book with 26 career sacks.

Ohio State NIL collectives The Foundation, O Foundation announce merger

Ohio State NIL collectives The Foundation and The O Foundation announced Thursday on Twitter that they are going to merge and work together.

“We’re in this for the same reasons,” former Buckeyes quarterback and The Foundation co-founder Cardale Jones told On3 in a phone interview. “Why not come together and use all our resources for the common goal we’re trying to attack and help players in the world of name, image and likeness.”

Jones launched The Foundation with real estate developer Brian Schottenstein in early 2022, and the organization has signed more than 40 Ohio State football and basketball student-athletes.

The O Foundation came into play back in October. It was started by former Buckeyes basketball captain Ron Stokes, who is now an on-air analyst for the Ohio State radio network.

For the full story from On3 college sports business reporter Pete Nakos, go here.

Buckeyes falter late in loss to Northwestern

Ohio State has now lost 10 of its last 11 games after falling to Northwestern at home, 69-63, Thursday night. It marked the Wildcats’ second win in Columbus since 1977. Northwestern is on track for its second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Ohio State, meanwhile, would need a miracle run in the Big Ten Tournament to earn a bid to March Madness at this point.

After playing without a lead the last two games, the Buckeyes were in the driver’s seat for most of the first half against Northwestern. They lost the lead before halftime but quickly gained it back in the second period, thanks to a 9-0 run. Ohio State remained ahead until the Wildcats picked up their 3-point barrage again. Northwestern entered the night just 294th in 3-point percentage (31.6%), per KenPom, but made its most triples (12) in a Big Ten game this season while shooting at a 41.4% clip.

Ohio State allowed 12 points off turnovers in the second half, shot a mere 61.9% (13-of-21) from the free throw line in the final 20 minutes of game action and missed 10 of its final 14 field goal attempts.

The Buckeyes are reeling on their second five-game losing streak this season.

For the full game story, go here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 204 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 288 days

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