COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nick Bosa said he doesn't really care to be competitive with his brother Joey.

But in an ideal world, Nick would be able to chase his older brother in the Big Ten record books. Joey is third all-time at Ohio State with 26 sacks, and fourth all-time with 50.5 tackles for loss. He did that in three years.

Nick will only be at Ohio State for three years, too. But because of the way Ohio State began rotating its defensive ends in Nick's freshman year, he likely won't catch his brother -- at least statistically. Nick has 11 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss so far in his career.

But here's one area in which Nick can at least tie Joey: Hardware.

Nick Bosa on Thursday was named the Big Ten's Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year. Joey won in his sophomore and junior seasons. An Ohio State player has won the award the last four years. Tyquan Lewis won last year.

Nick Bosa of @OhioStateFB named 2017 #B1GFootball named 2017 #B1GFootball Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year. pic.twitter.com/XcjCf67AfL — Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 30, 2017

The award is named in honor of Michigan State's Bubba Smith, and Penn State's Courtney Brown. Is Smith-Brown-Bosa Award too clunky? Yes? Well, the Bosas own this award too. Their uncle, Eric Kumerow, also won it as a Buckeye in 1986.

Nick Bosa won the award this year over fellow first-team All-Big Ten linemen Maurice Hurst (Michigan), Rashan Gary (Michigan), Chase Winovich (Michigan) and Lewis. Bosa was named first-team by both the coaches and media. He'll be happy to know that he won the honor despite not leading the Big Ten in any statistical category.

"College sacks are a lot of skill and a lot of luck," Bosa said early this year. "In the pros, it's a lot more skill. They're sitting back there throwing the ball down the field. With our defensive line, not many quarterbacks are paying attention to the receivers. They're looking at us, waiting for us to win and then playing off of where we go. It's tough. It's kind of annoying sometimes because that's all anybody cares about. You have to put it behind you and try to get better."

Bosa's six sacks this year are tied for the fourth-most in the league, his 12 tackles for loss are tied for sixth-most. Winovich leads the Big Ten in both categories.

This was an award won on voters looking past the stats, and seeing a dominant player who will be a top-10 NFL Draft pick when his career is over. It's pretty evident that Bosa is the best defensive lineman in the conference, but some may quibble with him winning this award this year based on his statistics.

"I think I've been winning a lot," Bosa said early this month when assessing his play. "There's always room for improvement. I just need to finish plays more, then I'll get the recognition I think I deserve. I think I'm playing well. I think the whole defense is also playing really well."

He got that recognition on Thursday.

And now he's in a real chase with his brother.

Joey won Defensive Lineman of the Year twice, and won Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 when he had 13.5 sacks. Nick got his lineman award, and can angle for the bigger prize next year.

"I don't really get competitive," Nick said, "but I definitely want to make my mark and show I'm different."

Past Ohio State players to win Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year:

* Tyquan Lewis, 2016

* Joey Bosa, 2015

* Joey Bosa, 2014

* John Simon, 2012

* Vernon Gholston, 2007

* Will Smith, 2003

* Mike Vrabel, 1996

* Mike Vrabel, 1995

* Eric Kumerow, 1986