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Aaron Donald has had himself quite a rookie season in the NFL. The former Pitt defensive lineman has been his same dominant self with eight sacks, 40 tackles, and a forced fumble. For a player at defensive end, that would be a nice year. For a rookie at end, it would be a big year. For a rookie playing on the inside of the line?
That's pretty incredible.
Donald, as you can imagine, was pretty excited at the news.
"I was just trying to play and at the end of the year whatever happened happened," Donald said. "I’m just happy. To do this as a rookie, my first year and accomplish something like that is amazing."
It's great to see other Pitt guys Lesean McCoy and Darrelle Revis in there too, obviously. And for McCoy to make the team after a really slow start (he had only 273 yards through five games), it's a grand achievement. But for Donald to reach his first Pro Bowl as a rookie, that's the headliner here. Many expected Donald to play well as a rookie, but to be a Pro Bowler is just really special.
Donald will have a chance to add to his big year as he's also considered a leading candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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