Skip to main content
ohio-state logo

Scarlet Sunrise: Nick Bosa, Garrett Wilson named finalists for AP NFL awards

IMG_7408by:Andy Backstrom•01/26/23•

andybackstrom

Nick Bosa by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images
Former Ohio State star Nick Bosa is a finalist for AP Defensive Player of the Year this season. (Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

Good morning, Ohio State fans, and welcome to the Scarlet Sunrise. Football will always be our focus, but every day we’ll cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Buckeyes football, recruiting, basketball and more in Scarlet Sunrise.

Nick Bosa, Garrett Wilson named finalists for AP NFL awards

Former Ohio State stars Nick Bosa and Garrett Wilson were named finalists for AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year and AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, respectively.

Bosa is one of three players in the running for DPoY, along with Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons and Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones.

Bosa led the NFL with 18.5 sacks during the regular season. The three-time Pro Bowl defensive end also notched a personal-best 41 solo tackles, not to mention his two forced fumbles. Bosa was the only former Buckeyes player to make this year’s AP NFL All-Pro team. The fourth-year pro has combined for seven tackles, including a pair of TFLs, in the San Francisco 49ers’ playoff run so far.

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.

Wilson, meanwhile, is one of three first-year players in contention for AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The others are San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III.

The former Buckeyes standout wideout led all rookies with 83 receptions and 1,103 receiving yards this season, despite a shaky New York Jets quarterback situation. Wilson also averaged 13.3 yards per catch and found the end zone four times.

Wilson posted a career-high 1,058 receiving yards for Ohio State in 2021, in addition to his 12 receiving touchdowns. He wrapped his time in Columbus with 2,213 total receiving yards in an Ohio State uniform.

Offseason Report: Buckeyes quarterback battle kicking off, picking winter breakout candidates

Who will be Ohio State’s starting quarterback next season? That’s what everyone wants to know. It’s between third-year signal caller Kyle McCord and second-year playmaker Devin Brown. Both of them were five-star recruits coming out of high school, according to On3.

We probably won’t find out who’s QB1 for several months, but that doesn’t mean the Lettermen Row crew isn’t going to start talking about the race. Spencer Holbrook, Tim May and Andy Backstrom discuss where the position battle stands in mid-January and what it could look like the rest of the offseason.

Then they list their breakout candidates for Ohio State’s winter workout period.

Don’t miss the latest Offseason Report presented by Byers Auto with Spencer, Tim and Andy.

‘I’m just so thankful’: Former Ohio State walk-on Owen Spencer appreciative of surprise scholarship

Following the Buckeyes’ 93-77 win over Iowa last weekend, former preferred walk-on transfer Owen Spencer was put on scholarship.

Spencer joined the program this past offseason after spending the first two seasons of his career at The Citadel. The 6-foot-9, 215-pound big man serves as a scout team center for Ohio State but also can “play in a pinch if we need him,” according to head coach Chris Holtmann.

Spencer said that the scholarship helps him and his family “immensely.” It made for a special moment in the Buckeyes’ locker room and, soon after, with Spencer’s parents.

To learn more about Spencer and his story, go here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 219 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 303 days

Are you subscribed yet?

Are you ready to get all your latest Ohio State news in one place? Become a member of Lettermen Row today. With your Lettermen Row/On3+ membership, you’ll not only have access to the everything that’s happening with the Buckeyes, but you’ll also be able to peruse other fan sites within the network to hear just how rivals are feeling about Ohio State, as well. Make sure to follow along on Twitter, Instagram and on Youtube for all the latest Buckeyes news you need to know.

You may also like