Big Ten Football: Top 10 Heisman candidates
Sep 27, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Joey Bosa (97) celebrates after forcing a turnover that led to a safety by the Cincinnati Bearcats at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive players rarely truly contend for the Heisman Trophy, but that’s exactly why Joey Bosa’s only No. 10 on my list. The Ohio State defensive end is one of the best at his position in the nation and the best defensive player in the Big Ten, just ahead of Shilique Calhoun, in my opinion.
Related: Top 5 Heisman contenders of the Mark Dantonio era
A few years back, Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska contended for the Heisman as a defensive lineman, so there’s no doubt in my mind that Bosa could do the same.
The soon-t0-be junior end had a whale of a 2014 season with the Buckeyes, recording 55 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and four forced fumbles. This guy is an absolute monster and he has been terrorizing offensive linemen for the past two seasons, recording 21 total sacks in that time.
Bosa is the best defensive lineman in the Big Ten and that is enough to earn him a spot as one of the top 10 Heisman contenders from the conference.
If this season is anything like last, Bosa could have some record-breaking numbers as a Buckeye. It’s scary to even think his younger brother, Nick Bosa who is a five-star recruit, will be coming in next season and we will have three or four more years of a dominant Bosa.
Next: 9. Leonte Carroo, Rutgers