Defensive standout Joey Bosa and H-back Jalin Marshall headline a group of four players who will miss Ohio State’s season opener against Virginia Tech on Sept. 7 for violating department of athletics policy, the school announced on Thursday.
The Buckeyes confirmed the one-game suspensions on social media. Wide receiver Corey Smith and H-back Dontre Wilson will also miss the matchup. No further information about the rules violations was immediately released.
It’s a major setback for Ohio State as it begins defense of last year’s national championship captured in the inaugural College Football Playoff.
Bosa, who’s already being projected as the first overall pick in 2016 CBS Sports NFL mock drafts, is the biggest loss. The defensive end racked up 55 total tackles, 13.5 sacks and forced four fumbles as the driving force behind the unit last season.
Marshall is one of the squad’s most versatile offensive threats. He only received 63 touches (38 catches and 25 carries) last season but turned them into nearly 650 yards and seven touchdowns.
Wilson would typically serve as the replacement at H-back. But since he’s also going to miss the game, it could push Braxton Miller into a more prominent hybrid role earlier than expected after making the shift from quarterback.
Smith is a notable loss, too. Although he caught just 20 passes last season and didn’t find the end zone, he was expected to take on a larger role following the exit of Devin Smith to the NFL. Noah Brown,…
Continue Reading: Joey Bosa, Jalin Marshall Suspended for Ohio St. Season Opener vs. Virginia Tech
