In an unexpected turn of events, former Ohio State teammates Nick Bosa and Chase Young, who were consecutively picked at No. 2 overall in the NFL draft, found themselves wearing the same uniform once again. Many doubted the likelihood of this reunion as they embarked on their professional journeys, but 49ers’ general manager John Lynch made the surprising move of acquiring Young from the Washington Commanders just three weeks ago.
The reunion of Bosa and Young on the field didn’t take long to make an impact. The dynamic duo wasted no time showcasing their combined talents, proving that the improbable can indeed become reality in the ever-unpredictable world of professional sports.
In the midst of the Week 10 clash against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a pivotal moment unfolded early in the second quarter. Chase Young showcased his prowess by outmaneuvering his opponent and reaching Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence. In a blink of an eye, Nick Bosa swooped in, executing a masterful strip of the ball and subsequently recovering the fumble.
Reflecting on the play, Young shared his disbelief, stating, “Sometimes it seems surreal.” In a conversation on 49ers Talk, he expressed, “Even when we made that play, it was like, ‘We really just made that play, huh?’ When you’re in the moment, it’s weird being the first person in that moment to really absorb it and understand that it’s kind of crazy we’re on the same team and making plays again.”
Young further emphasized the unique bond between him and Bosa, noting that amidst the chaos of the game, he instinctively recognized that it was his former and current teammate who sealed the deal to create the impactful takeaway.
In the ongoing race to reach the quarterback, Chase Young spoke candidly about his synergy with Nick Bosa, stating, “Like I said, it’s going to be a race to the quarterback and I knew if I was there, he wasn’t far behind.”
The camaraderie between Bosa and Young extends back to 2017 when Young first entered college. Bosa, a highly touted recruit from St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, had already been on campus for a year. Young, hailing from DeMatha Catholic High in Hyattsville, Maryland, joined the Ohio State Buckeyes, marking the beginning of a strong connection.
From the outset, the two clicked. Young described Bosa as a “real chill, laid-back guy,” noting the similarity in their personalities. “Nick sticks to his script, and that’s his thing,” Young added.
Young believes that Bosa, recognizing his immense potential, made a conscious decision to assist him in maximizing their shared time together. The mutual understanding and support between the two have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in their success on the field.
“When I got to O-State, Nick kind of catered to me,” shared Chase Young. “I think he knew how talented I was coming in there, how I could move and catch on to things as quickly as he did. I felt like he really kind of grabbed me and said, ‘Come here, I’m going to teach you how to be a great player.'”
The anticipation for a standout year together in 2018 was palpable for Bosa and Young. However, early in the season, Bosa faced adversity as he sustained an injury that required season-ending surgery to repair a tear to his bilateral core muscle.
Coincidentally, the San Francisco 49ers were navigating a challenging season with a 4-12 record and held the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Amidst the pre-draft speculations, fueled in part by social media posts, questions arose about Bosa’s character and how he might assimilate into an NFL locker room.
Chase Young swiftly dismissed these concerns, asserting, “All that is definitely false. Great dude. Always there for you. Definitely a great teammate, somebody who’s always looking to help others.” The statement stands as a testament to Bosa’s character and camaraderie, countering any unwarranted doubts that circulated during the pre-draft discussions.
John Lynch took notice of a significant moment during an Ohio State practice before the Rose Bowl when Nick Bosa made an appearance. The enthusiastic reaction of Bosa’s teammates as they greeted him did not go unnoticed by Lynch. This camaraderie extended to the game itself, where Chase Young delivered a sack on Washington quarterback Jake Browning in the Buckeyes’ 28-23 victory.
Reflecting on their time at Ohio State, Young shared, “I remember I got a sack and pointed at him. I had to get one while he was there. He was a real big brother to me when I came to Ohio State.”
In just two games together with the 49ers, Young and Bosa have already proven to be a formidable duo, tallying four sacks collectively. Bosa’s standout performance against Jacksonville earned him the NFC Defensive Player of the Week title. A poignant moment captured by cameras showcased Bosa and Young sharing a meaningful exchange on the team’s bench.
“It’s good to have you,” Bosa told Young, their camaraderie evident as they exchanged nudges while sitting side by side.
Young reflected on their enduring connection, stating, “I feel like we’ve always had a love for each other. We love watching each other play. I don’t know. There’s just something about it. Even at Ohio State, we always clicked, maybe different than everybody else. We always kept in touch. When he got drafted. When I got drafted. Yeah, man, we definitely have a real good relationship.” The bond between Bosa and Young, forged in their college days, continues to flourish on the professional stage with the 49ers.