Nick Bosa, following in the footsteps of his famous older brother, has decided to leave Florida for a college football career in Columbus.
The 5-star St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale) defensive end announced his commitment to Ohio State on Thursday via a Twitter post that indicates a proverbial passing of the torch from his older brother, Joey Bosa:
The elder Bosa, a junior standout at Ohio State, is a two-year starter who earned Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors last season. A strong 2015 campaign could put him in contention to become the top overall pick in next year's NFL draft if he chooses to forgo his final season of collegiate eligibility.
Nick's commitment Thursday ensures there will be yet another talented lineman to fill the void for Ohio State after Joey's departure.
The 6'4", 265-pound playmaker is rated No. 1 among 2016 strong-side defensive ends and ninth overall nationally in 247Sports' composite rankings. He is considered the Sunshine State's top senior defender.
Bosa becomes the 18th member of a star-studded Ohio State class. His pledge also pushes the Buckeyes past Florida State and LSU atop the composite class rankings.
The Seminoles were viewed as a viable contender for Nick, while Florida and Notre Dame also received interest. But despite a lengthy list of scholarship offers, few ever imagined he would end up anywhere other than Ohio State.
All 57 expert predictions in his 247Sports' Crystal Ball pointed to Columbus as Bosa's ultimate destination. It always seemed to be a case of when, not if, he would join the Buckeyes class.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, fresh off his third national championship as a coach, reeled in a dominant prospect who will face immense expectations at Ohio State. Joey has quickly become a Buckeyes legend, and Nick faces a long road to step out of that shadow during his college career.
In what should be seen as a testament to the Bosa bloodline, Nick actually has the attributes to become even better than his older brother, depending on individual dedication and further fundamental/physical development.
Nick wreaks havoc in the offensive backfield, terrorizing opponents and inspiring teammates with the same level of relentlessness that makes Joey such an endearing star. Nick tallied 30 tackles for loss and five sacks last fall, leading one of the nation's most prominent high school programs to a state championship.
His winning pedigree and punishing style of play in the trenches put him in rarefied territory among 2016 recruits.
Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Damon Sayles scouted Bosa as part of B/R's CFB Recruiting 200 series:
The stock of Nick Bosa appears to rise every day, but the hype is real. …
Bosa brings toughness and tenacity to the football field. He's a big, strong athlete who plays with a chip on his shoulder. It's that mean streak that makes Bosa such an intriguing player. He already has the mindset of a college athlete; now it's simply a matter of getting him on the field.
Given his skill set and mentality, the evidence suggests Nick might match Joey's experience as a true freshman starter. How his career unfolds from there will eventually determine which Bosa goes down as a bigger Buckeyes hero.
Joey's journey in Columbus is at least halfway through, featuring an abundance of accolades and a national championship ring. Nick, the newest member of America's top 2016 class, has the necessary tools to duplicate—and perhaps even exceed—his predecessor's accomplishments.
Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.
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