COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The expectations were almost unfair.

Even without the benefit of three years of experience, while still working back to full strength from a significant knee injury and also competing for playing time on a loaded defensive line, Nick Bosa always was going to be measured against a player who was the highest-rated defensive player taken in the 2016 NFL draft.

Turns out, though, that really wasn’t too much for Ohio State to ask.

Nick Bosa might not be exactly at the professional level that big brother Joey Bosa was at when he left the Buckeyes after last season. But by comparison to Joey's freshman campaign, Nick might just be ahead of his pace.

Ohio State freshman Nick Bosa already has shown the ability to put steady pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Scott Halleran/Getty Images

“I mean, I didn’t really listen to the hype too much,” Nick Bosa said after recording four tackles, including 1.5 for loss, last Saturday against Indiana. “[Defensive line coach Larry Johnson] made it really easy for me to transition, and he knew that there was going to be some pressure. But I just worked with him to keep getting better, and my teammates helped me get acclimated.

“I’ve been ready for this. It took me a couple games to get my feet under me, but I think I’m getting better every week. I’m ready to go.”

The Buckeyes are increasingly ready to turn him loose as well. In turn, that’s providing even more flashbacks as Nick’s role expands along with his growing confidence and health in a way that is eerily similar to the way Joey pushed his way into the lineup as a freshman in 2013.

The two already walk, talk and carry themselves alike, and Nick is even wearing his brother’s old No. 97. But in terms of on-field production, the edge at this point actually goes to the younger Bosa. Through the first five games of their respective careers, the only category where Joey has a statistical lead is in starts.

Joey Bosa’s first five games: 11 tackles, 2 tackles for loss

Nick Bosa’s first five games: 13 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2 sacks

That is a small sample size, and Nick acknowledged after the win over the Hoosiers that individual numbers for defensive linemen can be subject to luck as much as skill. And perhaps it’s again unfair to point to that fast start and dial up the hype even more that a true freshman might be able to match or surpass the career Joey had with the Buckeyes. Bosa, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, finished his three seasons at Ohio State with 148 tackles -- 51 of which were for a loss -- and had 26 sacks. But the two obviously are inextricably linked, and so far there’s been no reason for Ohio State to try to temper any projections about Nick’s future.

“He’s rare,” co-defensive coordinator and former NFL head coach Greg Schiano said. “For a guy his age to be able to do the things he does physically ... he’s very strong, and he plays with great technique, which young guys usually don’t. Even if they’re young, strong guys, they’re usually kind of flopping around with their hands and feet, not coordinated. He’s well trained.

“I think [Johnson] is doing a great job. He’s bringing him along at the pace you want to -- especially a guy, you have to remember, who is coming off an ACL surgery. I think he’s doing a really good job, and he’ll continue to play more and more because he deserves to.”

The toughest challenge for the Buckeyes is finding those reps for him, because even after losing the No. 3 pick in the draft at defensive end, they have had no talent shortage up front in a heated competition for playing time.

The continued standout play from Tyquan Lewis and the emergence of Sam Hubbard on the edge have helped Ohio State move on seamlessly without Joey Bosa’s prolific production. And it’s also had a positive impact on the development of Nick, who hasn’t been forced to step directly into his older brother’s shoes or to try to play a prominent role without much experience after coming back from roughly a year off, thanks to his knee surgery.

But even with some restrictions on his workload, it’s already clear that Nick is more than capable of living up to the family name for the Buckeyes.

“Football, you have to play, you have to get reps to really get up to game speed,” Nick said. “You can’t just run out there after a year of not playing and then think you’re going to go out and make plays right away.

“I dreamed every night of just sacking the quarterback, coming out here and making plays. Now that it’s come true, I’m just going to try to keep going.”

From a Bosa, the Buckeyes would expect nothing less.