Unpacking Greatness: Urban Meyer’s Unfiltered Reverence for Joey Bosa as His Ohio State Dominance Resurfaces
The digital ether, a vast repository of sporting triumphs and timeless performances, recently buzzed with renewed vigor as a compilation of Joey Bosa’s collegiate highlights at Ohio State University made its rounds. For anyone who witnessed the sheer disruptive force of Bosa in scarlet and gray, the resurgence of these clips was a powerful reminder of a truly special talent. However, the online ripple effect wasn’t just limited to nostalgic fans; it caught the eye of the man who arguably knows Bosa’s college impact better than anyone: former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer. Meyer’s succinct yet emphatic repost – “One of the best to ever do it at OSU!” – served as an unfiltered endorsement, a testament from a coaching legend to a player whose presence transcended individual statistics, shaping the very fabric of a championship-winning defense. This statement, stripped of any typical coaching platitudes, speaks volumes about the profound impression Bosa left on a coach known for his exacting standards and keen eye for talent.
To truly appreciate the weight of Meyer’s words, one must first understand the context of Bosa’s tenure at Ohio State under his tutelage. From 2013 to 2015, Joey Bosa wasn’t merely a defensive end; he was the gravitational pull of the Buckeyes’ defense, a force multiplier who commanded double teams and still found ways to wreak havoc in opposing backfields. His statistical output during those three seasons is staggering: 148 tackles, an incredible 51 tackles for loss, and 26 sacks, which still stands as the fourth-highest in program history. Beyond the numbers, Bosa’s impact was evident in the way he altered offensive game plans. Quarterbacks hurried throws, running backs were re-routed, and offensive coordinators lost sleep devising schemes to contain him. He wasn’t just making plays; he was dictating the flow of the game.
The 2014 national championship season stands as the clearest illustration of Bosa’s singular influence. While the Buckeyes’ offense, led by a carousel of talented quarterbacks and the emergence of Ezekiel Elliott, garnered significant attention, it was the defense that provided the backbone for that improbable run. Bosa was the linchpin, anchoring a unit that, despite some early season struggles, coalesced into a formidable force. His ability to consistently generate pressure, shed blocks, and finish tackles was instrumental in key victories, allowing the Ohio State secondary to thrive and the overall defense to bend but rarely break. Meyer, a coach renowned for building dominant programs and extracting every ounce of potential from his players, understood the rarity of a talent like Bosa. He wasn’t just physically gifted; he possessed an insatiable motor, an elite football IQ, and a relentless pursuit of excellence that resonated deeply with Meyer’s coaching philosophy.
Meyer’s recent public declaration about Bosa is significant because it’s not a retrospective assessment colored by sentimentality. It’s an affirmation from someone who has coached some of the greatest collegiate players in modern football history. When Meyer labels Bosa “one of the best to ever do it,” he’s placing him in an exceptionally exclusive pantheon of Ohio State legends, a list that includes other dominant defensive linemen like the Bosas’ own kin, Nick Bosa, and Chase Young, alongside linebackers and defensive backs who carved out their own legacies. This isn’t casual praise; it’s a profound statement of respect and admiration for a player who embodied the intensity and execution that Meyer demanded.
The resurfacing of Bosa’s highlights also serves as a potent reminder of the developmental prowess of the Ohio State program under Meyer. Bosa arrived in Columbus as a highly touted recruit, but he departed as a transcendent talent, refined and polished by the coaching staff. The combination of Bosa’s raw ability and the meticulous coaching of Larry Johnson, the Buckeyes’ defensive line coach, created a player who was NFL-ready from the moment he declared for the draft. His selection as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers was a foregone conclusion for many who had watched his Ohio State career unfold.
Beyond the college gridiron, Joey Bosa has continued to build on his legacy in the NFL. Despite battling injuries at various points in his professional career, he has consistently been one of the league’s most feared pass rushers, earning five Pro Bowl selections and racking up impressive sack and tackle for loss numbers. His recent move to the Buffalo Bills for the 2025 season signals a new chapter, but it doesn’t diminish the indelible mark he left at Ohio State. The highlights serve as a tangible link to his formative years, showcasing the foundation of his greatness.
In a world saturated with hot takes and fleeting opinions, Urban Meyer’s direct and unequivocal statement about Joey Bosa cuts through the noise. It’s a professional endorsement, a nod of respect from a master craftsman to one of his finest creations. The sentiment isn’t merely about Bosa’s highlight-reel plays, but about his relentless work ethic, his unwavering commitment to his craft, and his transformative impact on the Ohio State defense. It’s a reminder that true greatness is often recognized and appreciated most deeply by those who were closest to its genesis. As Joey Bosa continues his NFL journey, the echoes of his Ohio State dominance, now amplified by the voice of his former coach, will undoubtedly continue to inspire and resonate, solidifying his place among the Buckeyes’ all-time elite.
