Ohio State sophomore defensive end Nick Bosa was named the Big Ten’s Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year on Thursday, which is the fourth-consecutive year that a Buckeye has won the award.
Joey Bosa won it in 2014 and 2015, and Tyquan Lewis won it in 2016. A Buckeye has won the award five of the last six years (John Simon 2012).
The run also coincides with the arrival of defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who has now coached the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in each of his four seasons at OSU. Bosa is the ninth B1G Defensive Lineman of the Year that Johnson has coached in his 21 seasons as a defensive line coach in the Big Ten.
Bosa led the Buckeyes this season with 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks. In one game alone this season he had nine quarterback hurries according to his coaches.
This is the 11th time a Buckeye has won the award since its inception in 1984.
Past Winners
1986 – Eric Kumerow
1993 – Dan “Big Daddy” Wilkinson
1995 – Mike Vrabel
1996 – Mike Vrabel
2003 – Will Smith
2007 – Vernon Gholston
2012 – John Simon
2014 – Joey Bosa
2015 – Joey Bosa
2016 – Tyquan Lewis
2017 – Nick Bosa