Browns Film Room: What could have been versus the Packers
December 14, 2017An early glance at the interior offensive line class in the 2018 NFL Draft
December 14, 2017Following the conclusion of college football’s regular season, there are a plenty of outlets that unveil their All-American teams. While all of them matter, there are just five that are recognized by the NCAA: the American Football Coaches Association, the Associated Press, the Football Writers Association of America, the Sporting News, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation.
With that being said, three Ohio State Buckeyes were named on at least one of the lists: center Billy Price, cornerback Denzel Ward, and defensive end Nick Bosa.
In his first season at the position, Billy Price made quite a name for himself in 2017, not only in Columbus, but around college football as a whole. The fifth-year senior broke the school record for consecutive starts (54), and has been the anchor on an offensive line that has helped Ohio State’s offense score 42.5 points per game (fifth in the country) and sixth in yards per game (523.6). Along with being named an All-American on all five lists, Price has already won the Rimington Trophy for the best center in college football and was named Big Ten’s Offensive Lineman of the Year.
He is the third player in the last two years to be named a unanimous All-American.1 In total, Ohio State has had 33 unanimous All-Americans, with 29 players taking home the honors.2 Not bad company to join for not only the best center in college football, both one of the most versatile offensive lineman in the country.
Expected to leave early for the NFL Draft, Denzel Ward has been one of the best lockdown cornerbacks in college football this season. For his accomplishments throughout the season, the junior was named a first-team All-American on three of the five teams: Associated Press, The Sporting News, and AFCA. While doing his best to shutdown the opponent’s top receiver, Ward registered 34 tackles, 14 passes defended, and 13 pass breakups. After Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley left early for the NFL in 2016, the Buckeyes’ top cornerback spot didn’t seem to miss a beat with Ward.
When people started to say that Nick Bosa has a chance to be better than his older brother, Joey, many seemed to think that there was no way that was possible. Somehow, it may just be true. The true sophomore was named a second-team All-American by almost all outlets and was also named Big Ten’s Defensive Lineman of the Year. Bosa led the team in tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (seven) even though he split time with Tyquan Lewis, Sam Hubbard, and Jalyn Holmes at the loaded defensive end position. If he continues to improve, there’s a chance that Nick may (somehow) be better than his older brother.
2 Comments
Ward has been fun to watch. I honestly don’t know why teams throw his way.