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Aaron Donald named PFF's No. 1 overall NFL player for 2015

Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Since entering the NFL with the Rams back in 2014, former Pitt defensive lineman Aaron Donald has been on an absolute tear. He's already been named to two Pro Bowls in his first two seasons and in his rookie year in 2014, was the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Donald earned another significant piece of recognition this week when he was named as Pro Football Focus' top overall player for 2015. He finished 18th on the list as a rookie after his 2014 season and to finish as the No. 1 player in the league after only two years is nothing short of remarkable.

His ascension to the top of the charts was also noteworthy in that he knocked off J.J. Watt, who was the site's top overall player for the past three years. CBS Sports' Pete Prisco recently looked at both players and also concluded that Donald had the bigger season. Donald had 11 sacks as a defensive tackle and as that PFF link indicates, had a total of 79 pressures and may be the league's quickest lineman. While he finished well behind Watt for Defensive Player of the Year honors, there are at least some people that think Donald was better this year.

Pitt has had a long history of producing NFL talent and even lately, has had a host of relevant stars, including Larry Fitzgerald, Lesean McCoy, and Darrelle Revis. So when you look at what Donald has accomplished already and where he ranks in the NFL hierarchy, it's astonishing that he's already in the same discussion as all three guys in terms of recent stars that have come out of the school.

Be sure to join Cardiac Hill's Facebook page and follow us on Twitter@PittPantherBlog for our regular updates on Pitt athletics. Follow the author and founder/editor @AnsonWhaley.

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