49ers DE Nick Bosa named the Pepsi Rookie of the Year

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is focused on Super Bowl LIV right now and hopes to cap off his impressive rookie campaign by hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy.

Before the opportunity for that honor, Bosa earned another. He has been named the Pepsi Rookie of the Year.


Bosa racked up 47 tackles, nine sacks, two passes defensed, an interception, and a forced fumble during the regular season. His sack total ranks third among rookies, behind just Josh Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars (10.5) and Maxx Crosby of the Oakland Raiders (10). The rookie added three more sacks in the playoffs, getting to both Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers, as the defensive front consistently disrupted opposing quarterbacks.

Bosa earned a selection to the Pro Bowl and set a rookie franchise record with 16 tackles for a loss. His seven sacks to start the season tied for the second-most by a player in his first seven games since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic.


During the 49ers' Week 8 win over the Carolina Panthers, Bosa joined Julius Peppers and Kevin Williams as the only rookies to record at least three sacks and an interception in a single game since 1982.

Bosa finished the regular season with the third-highest pressure percentage and fourth-highest pass-rush win percentage among rookies. His 18 quarterback hits were the second-most by a rookie, behind just Von Miller of the Denver Broncos, who had 21 in 2011.