Another former Ohio State player has taken home the NFL’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Former Buckeye star and current Washington Football Team defensive end Chase Young was recognized Saturday night during NFL Honors, and it makes four of the last five years a former OSU player has won the award. Before Young, it was Joey Bosa in 2016, Marshon Lattimore in 2017, then Nick Bosa in 2019.
It’s the second such award for Young. Just last month, he won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award from the Pro Football Writers as well.
The former Ohio State game-wrecker was selected by Washington with the No. 2 overall pick in last year’s NFL draft and quickly made his presence known. Even though he struggled through a groin injury early on, once healthy, Young showed the potential that resulted in the label of a can’t miss prospect in the league.
.@WashingtonNFL DE Chase Young is the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year! @youngchase907 (by @surface) #NFLHonors pic.twitter.com/9rKte7QTMd
— NFL (@NFL) February 7, 2021
Young started 15 regular-season games for Washington and one playoff game. He tallied 47 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. More than anything though, his presence in the lineup made a noticeable and quantitative difference in the amount of pressure the defensive line snowed. He was also named to this year’s Pro Bowl.
And … he is just getting started folks.