Bears' Cohen named one of two Black College pros of the year

Tarik Cohen is going to need a bigger trophy case.

The Bears' second-year All-Pro return specialist and leading receiver was named one of two Black College pro players of the year, alongside Indianapolis Colts linebacker and Defensive Rookie of the Year Darius Leonard.

The award, which recognizes the most outstanding pro football player from a historically black university and college, was given in its inaugural 2017 year to Arizona Cardinals safety Antonie Bethea. Cohen and Leonard were officially presented with their awards Saturday at the Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Atlanta.

Cohen, whom the Bears selected in the fourth round in 2017 out of North Carolina A&T of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), led the team with 71 catches and tied for second in touchdowns from scrimmage (7). Moreover, he was among the league leaders at running back in average yards and average depth per target, further evidence of his meteoric ascent to one of the more dangerous dual-threat players in the game today.

Cohen, 23, has also proved his versatility and reliability off the field, where he's quickly become one of the Bears' more charismatic players and a go-to option for media members.

• Arthur Arkush is the managing editor for Pro Football Weekly. For more on the NFL, visit profootballweekly.com and follow Arthur on Twitter at @arthurarkush.