NEW ORLEANS -- Joey Bosa is at least a year away, or more, from making a go of an NFL career.
But the Ohio State sophomore defensive end has already drawn some impressive notice from the NFL, and Bosa was humbled to learn that one NFL club used him as a measuring stick -- as a true freshman in 2013 -- to evaluate Big Ten offensive tackles last season for the 2014 NFL Draft.
"It's a big compliment," said Bosa, who will play a key role in Thursday's Sugar Bowl against Alabama. "Obviously, that's cool -- I don't really know how to take that, except that it's cool to see my hard work paying off."
Bosa could have as many as two more games to put the finishing touches on what has been a spectacular sophomore campaign. He has made 20 tackles for loss, which ranks tenth in the entire FBS, with 13.5 sacks (FBS-fifth). Production like that is almost unheard of for a second-year player, but the 6-foot-5, 280-pound Bosa has been a dominant presence on a regular basis this season, playing both inside and outside on the Buckeyes' defensive line.
So which offensive lineman has Bosa been most impressed with this season? Wisconsin's Tyler Marz made a strong impression on Bosa despite the Buckeyes' 59-0 thrashing of the Badgers in the Big Ten title game.
"I'd have to say the tackle against Wisconsin had to be the best, at least rankings wise, and (Jack) Conklin from Michigan State was really good, too. They were big, athletic dudes who really played well. But we haven't see this (Alabama) line yet," Bosa said.
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