Cody Croy
Writer
The 15th annual NFL honors ceremony was held on Thursday night and a couple former Buckeyes brought home some hardware.
Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba took home the Offensive Player Of The Year award, given to the best offensive player in the NFL. Smith-Njigba had a sensational season, converting 119 catches, 1,793 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Smith-Njigba became the second player in Buckeyes history to win the award, joining Michael Thomas, who won it in 2019 as a member of the New Orleans Saints.
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel brought home the Coach Of The Year award. Vrabel, who is in his first season with the team, has commanded an unprecedented turnaround from an abysmal 4-13 last season, to 14-3 and a chance to win their 7th Super Bowl in franchise history. The Patriots hall of famer played 8 seasons with the team, winning 3 super bowls. He now has a chance to win his first as a coach. The former Buckeyes linebacker and assistant coach will face off against Smith-Njigba and the Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
These awards are a great preview to tomorrow’s Super Bowl matchup. The Patriots’ currently have three different Buckeyes’, TreVeyon Henderson, Mike Vrabel, and Thayer Munford jr. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the lone Buckeye on the Seahawks. Patriots rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson will look to join an exclusive list of players who have won a national title and a super bowl in consecutive seasons. He would join Tony Dorsett in that list, who won a national title with Pitt in 1976 and a Super Bowl with the Dallas Cowboys in 1977. No matter the outcome, at least one former Buckeye will be coming home with a ring, adding to the long list of accomplishments set by Buckeyes in the big league.
Bryson Blue
Writer
The Utah Utes’ (11-2, 7-2 Big 12) season ended in triumph with a win over Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl, but that didn’t stop a mass exodus of talent from coming.
Tony Thomas
Writer
The Oregon Ducks defense pillaged the championship aspirations of Texas Tech from their competitive psyche
Tony Thomas
Writer
Two talented defenses will battle for supremacy in the Orange Bowl
