The Bolts took a Buckeye by selecting Joey Bosa from Ohio State with their first pick (third overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft. The 6-foot-5, 278-pound defensive end aims to bolster the Bolts' defense with his disruptive and dominant play.
Bosa was the first non-quarterback taken in the entire draft and admitted he was shocked when the Chargers called to draft him.
"I talked with (the Chargers and) had a meeting with them at the Combine," Bosa said. "I had a dinner with some of the coaches before the Pro Day but other than that, this is honestly a huge surprise to me. An amazing surprise at that. A big shock, but I'm very excited to get out there. I was very anxious in that room waiting to…get that phone call. And when it rang, I can't even put into words the kids of emotions I was feeling. My family didn't believe it and (we started) hugging and crying together. It was more than I ever could have dreamt it to be."
During his three seasons as a Buckeye, Bosa started 37 of 41 games notching 150 total tackles including 50.5 tackles for loss. In addition, his Ohio State career was cemented with 26 sacks, 24 quarterback hits and five forced fumbles. He holds Top Five honors in four of Ohio State's elite defensive categories as well as All-America honors (twice), Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (2014) and is a two-time Big Ten Defensive Linemen of the year. His constant ability to pester quarterbacks and stop the run while getting double-teamed is something Bosa knows he can continue to do at the next level.
"When you go into the game, you know they're going to have a game plan against you," he said. "A lot of runs away, a lot of double teams but it's something you've got to deal with and it's something that's not going to change at the next level…it's just something you have to adapt to and get better at. Playing on an NFL team, you've got another NFL player on the other side of you so you may be getting a little less attention but it's something that you have to adapt to."
In addition to his play, Bosa brings a championship mindset to the Bolts. His winning mentality is infectious and he said he's excited to get to work with San Diego's players right away who share that same drive.
"I want to get with…(players) who want to win and have won before and have that taste in their mouth and have that hunger to win. I come from St. Thomas Aquinas High School where I won two state championships and a national championship. Then I went to Ohio State and won a National Championship. I've been in winning programs and that's what I want to do. I've had that taste in my mouth of winning a championship and not many people have that. I think that's something unique I bring to this team and I'm going to try to bring these guys with me."
