50 greatest college football players this century, ranked

• 2x Consensus All-American (2014, 2015)
• Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2014)
• 2x first-team All-Big Ten (2014, 2015)

Joey Bosa is a little different than the other Buckeye defensive greats on this list in terms of stats. At defensive end, he wasn’t roaming free in the middle of the field, but instead facing double-teams play in and play out and offenses that could avoid his side of the field. He may not have had triple digit tackles for multiple seasons in a row, but like the others, he was the leader and best player on a great defense. And a national championship team.

During Bosa’s three seasons under Urban Meyer from 2013 through 2015, Ohio State had a combined record of 34 wins and four losses. In 2014, they went 14-1 and beat both Alabama and Oregon in the College Football Playoff. Bosa had his best season that year as a sophomore with 21.5 tackles for a loss, 13.5 sacks and four forced fumbles plus one fumble recovered for a touchdown. He was named a consensus first-team All-American and won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

Bosa was again named a first-team All-American as a junior in 2015 and finished his career with 148 total tackles, 51 tackles for a loss and 26 sacks.

Bonus Fact: Bosa’s record against Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan State and Penn State was 8-2 (including 3-0 against Michigan).