Hunt is finalist for rookie of the year

The race for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award appears to be down to running backs Kareem Hunt of the Chiefs and Alvin Kamara of the Saints.

The official announcement by the Associated Press is Feb. 3, the day before the Super Bowl, but Hunt has already bested Kamara for one rookie award.

On Jan. 16, the Professional Football Writers of America named the Willoughby South graduate its NFL Rookie of the Year. Hunt and Kamara were named Co-Offensive Rookie of the Year by the PFWA.

Kamara’s 14 TDs were the most by a rookie this season.

It was a banner season for Hunt, who won the NFL rushing title in Kansas City’s last regular-season game against the Broncos. Needing 14 yards to win the title, Hunt got one carry in the game and finished the deal with a 35-yard touchdown run.

The third-round pick finished 2017 with an NFLbest 1,327 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 272 carries. He also caught 53 passes for 455 yards and three more TDs.

Hunt’s 1,782 yards from scrimmage ranked third in the NFL. He had six 100yard rushing games and set three NFL records in a blistering start to his career.

The first mark was his 246 total yards in his first regular-season game against the Patriots in the season opener. The yards were the most ever by a player in his first game. He also set an NFL rookie record with 100 or more scrimmage yards in seven straight games to start his career.

Another record: He’s the first NFL player to score TDs of at least 50 yards in each of his first three games.

Earlier this season, Hunt said his fast start was “lifechanging,” and “exciting.” After his smashing debut, Hunt was on the Sept. 14 cover of Sports Illustrated.

Hunt was also named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Month for September and December and was named to the Pro Bowl as a reserve on the AFC squad.

Browns defensive end Myles Garrett earned a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie team. In 11 games, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2017 made 31 tackles with seven sacks and a fumble recovery.