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For the second-straight season, a former B1G star was named the 2019 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year
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Former B1G stars are making quick impacts on the NFL level. This year, there was no better example than former Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa.
This week, Bosa, who was drafted No. 2 overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2019 NFL Draft, was named the 2019 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year. He had an outstanding season, registering 47 tackles, nine sacks, recovering two fumbles, forcing a fumble and collecting an interception.
San Francisco is also playing for the Super Bowl title on Sunday, taking on the Kansas City Chiefs.
49ers DE Nick Bosa has been named the 2019 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year after posting 47 tackles, 9 sacks, 1 FF, 2 FR and 1 INT this season.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 30, 2020
Bosa hasn’t slowed down during the postseason. In two games against the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers, the rookie totaled 10 tackles, three sacks and broke up a pass in a pair of victories.
Not a bad first year in the league for the former Buckeye.
This marks the second-straight season in which an ex-B1G star has claimed the award. Last season, former Penn State running back Saquon Barkley was named the 2018 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year with the New York Giants. He, too, was the No. 2 overall pick for that year’s draft.
Barkley finished the 2018 season with 1,307 rushing yards, 721 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns.
Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB