If the past calendar year is any indication, former Pitt Panthers’ defensive lineman Aaron Donald is going to need a bigger trophy case.
Donald was named the Pro Football Writers of America 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year and a member of the All-Rookie team on Tuesday.
He is also the likely favorite to take home the official Defensive Rookie of the Year award from the Associated Press at the NFL honors presentation on Jan. 31.
Donald led all rookies with nine sacks this past season and ranked second amongst all defensive tackles. His nine sacks were also the sixth most by a rookie defensive tackle in history. Donald also led St. Louis with 17 tackles for loss.
That’s even more impressive when you consider that the former Penn Hills standout didn’t even open up the season as a starter.
Donald made it a habit of collecting hardware after his final season at Pitt last year and now he is starting his NFL career in the same fashion.
On the other side of the ball, New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was named the Pro Football Writers of America 2014 Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Photo Credit: USA Today Sports
