COLUMBUS — Ohio State’s defensive issues just became more concrete.
All-American defensive end Nick Bosa will not return to the team. The university announced Tuesday he will withdraw from school to rehab his core muscle injury. Bosa had surgery Sept. 20 after being injured during the TCU game Sept. 15.
The presumption is Bosa, a junior, will forgo his final season at Ohio State to enter the NFL draft. He’s projected to be a top-10 pick and possibly No. 1 overall, three years after his brother Joey was taken third overall by San Diego after completing his OSU career.
"I was hopeful,” Meyer said Tuesday on the Big Ten teleconference, “but I can’t say I was that surprised.”
What do you think of All-American DE Nick Bosa's decision to withdraw from Ohio State to focus on his rehab from injury and professional career? pic.twitter.com/oLbt7A1TzR
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) October 16, 2018
In three games this season, Bosa had six tackles for loss, four sacks, a forced fumble that resulted in a touchdown, and two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown. He had a team-high 14 tackles when he was injured and was being talked about as a rare potential Heisman Trophy candidate as a defensive player.
During his 30-game career, Bosa had 29 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks. He was a first-team All-American last season and the Big Ten defensive lineman of the year.
“We love Nick,” Meyer said. “The Bosa family’s been awesome for Ohio State and the program, and Nick is a first-class guy. He’s very strong in his faith, he’s very strong academically, so it was very emotional.”
He has been replaced in the lineup by Chase Young, a sophomore who was one of the top 10 recruits in the country in the class of 2018. Young has 19 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, four pass breakups, and four quarterback hurries.
Ohio State’s defense has struggled as a whole this season, and the line in particular has been banged up in recent weeks with Bosa joined on the shelf by Jonathan Cooper and Robert Landers. Cooper, who has started six games with eight tackles and a sack, should return for Saturday’s night game at Purdue.
Contact Kyle Rowland at krowland@theblade.com, 419-724-6110 or on Twitter @KyleRowland.
First Published October 16, 2018, 4:08 p.m.
