Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end, and likely high first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Joey Bosa is among a group of players that have been suspended for the Buckeyes first game of the season against Virginia Tech, the team announced Thursday.
"Four individuals from the Ohio State University football team will miss the Buckeyes' first game of the season, Sept. 7 at Virginia Tech, for violating Department of Athletics policy. The individuals involved are junior defensive end Joey Bosa, sophomore H-back Jalin Marshall, senior receiver Corey Smith and junior H-back Dontre Wilson," Ohio State wrote in a statement to the media announcing the player's suspensions.
The team later confirmed the news on their own Twitter account, though no further information on the reason behind Bosa and Co.'s suspensions was released.
Bosa certainly represents the biggest loss for the reigning National Champs. He finished last season with 55 tackles, 13.5 sacks and four forced fumbles and is already viewed as one of the top prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft. A report from last week suggested that his decision to enter the NFL's draft process was "almost complete," while a couple of other Buckeyes standouts - quarterback Cardale Jones and running back Ezekiel Elliott - were said to still be mulling their options.
Marshall, while not as major a loss as Bosa, will still be a difficult player to replace against Va. Tech. The versatile runner and receiver finished last year with 63 touches - 38 catches and 25 carries - for 650 yards and seven touchdowns.
While the Buckeyes, even down four players and on the road, will likely be able to handle a team like Virginia Tech, it certainly makes the task a lot more difficult.
