Getty Image / Adam Lacy
Ohio State defensive end Chase Young wasn’t on anyone’s Heisman Trophy watch list heading into Saturday’s action, but that’s not the case after his dominating performance against Wisconsin. He was so special against the Badgers some people even think he should be a lock to go No. 1 overall in this year’s NFL Draft.
During the rain-filled first half, Young got to Jack Coan twice for two sacks and had three total tackles for a loss. He then picked up a sack in both the third and fourth quarters to go along with two forced fumbles.
He entered the game with 9.5 sacks and three forced fumbles on the year. His four sacks on Saturday tied an Ohio State school record for most sacks in a game and with his sack total sitting at 13.5 he surpassed his sack number last season of 10.5.
He truly did look like a man amongst boys each and every time he lined up and people took notice including JJ Watt and LeBron James.
Chase Young is a very good football player.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) October 26, 2019
What unbelievable analysis from Watt here. He should quit football and just become an analyst and writer, in my opinion.
Chase Young stop it man!! Absolute MONSTER!! Matter of fact don’t listen to me, keep going Young 🤴🏽 #GoBucks 💪🏾
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 26, 2019
When it comes to the Heisman race, he’s the forgotten man on his Ohio State team thanks to quarterback Justin Fields and running back J.K. Dobbins but he gained some serious ground with his performance against the Badgers.
A lot of people out there believe he should be a serious candidate when it comes to Heisman Trophy finalists.
Gonna spend my Saturday yelling that Chase Young should be in the Heisman race to random strangers.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) October 26, 2019
OSU DE Chase Young is the best player in college football.
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) October 26, 2019
Chase Young won’t win the Heisman. Chase Young won’t be the 1st pick in the draft. But Chase Young is the best player in CFB and will be the best player in this years NFL draft.
— Nick Kayal (@NickKayal) October 26, 2019
Chase young for @HeismanTrophy ?
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) October 26, 2019
Chase Young rushes from a LB position, almost gets to the QB, then turns and tackles the RB on a screen pass. Can someone explain to me how the best player in the country is not even talked about for the Heisman? #WISCvsOSU pic.twitter.com/doP6OufmhT
— Kyle Seeley (@theKyleSeeley) October 26, 2019
ESPN’s Booger McFarland thinks that Young should go No. 1 in this year’s NFL Draft. He’s among the Top 5 on most mock draft boards out there at the moment, but Saturday definitely caught people’s eye.
If you are having a conversation about the 1st pick in the draft Start it and stop it with Chase Young
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) October 26, 2019
Chase Young probably should start being talked about as the number one pick in the draft.
— Mark Tauscher (@MarkTauscher65) October 26, 2019
The last time a defensive player won the Heisman was back in 1997 when Charles Woodson hoisted the trophy.
If Young does get the invite to New York at the end of the season he’d be the first defensive lineman to be named a finalist since Ndamukong Suhi n 2009. Suh had 12.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for a loss that season, so Young already has that sack number beat this season.
The Buckeyes beat the Badgers 38-7.