Injured Bosa leaves Ohio State to prep for pro career

Star lineman has been out since September

COLUMBUS, OHIO • Injured defensive end Nick Bosa has decided to leave to school to focus on getting ready for the NFL draft in the spring, Ohio State said Tuesday.

The junior all-American from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., already had four sacks this season when he suffered a core muscle injury Sept. 15 in the third game of the season. He had surgery five days later and no timetable was set for his return to the team.

Considered one of the best players in college football, Bosa had left no doubt that he would leave school after this season to enter the draft. He planned to follow the same path as his older brother Joey, who left Ohio State a year early and now plays for the Los Angeles Chargers.

Bosa had tied his career high of five tackles twice in the first three games this season and he was leading the team in tackles with 14, including six for losses.

“I was hopeful that Nick would be able to return to play again for us,” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said. “I know this was an extremely difficult and emotional decision for Nick and his family and I wish him well as he moves on to get himself 100 per cent healthy and ready for his next chapter.”

Bosa was dominating from the start of his Ohio State career.

The six-foot-four, 263-pounder, who wore the same No. 97 his brother did for the Buckeyes, played in 30 games with 29 tackles, 171/2 sacks and two fumble recoveries, one of them for a touchdown.

Both Bosa brothers earned Big Ten defensive lineman of the year honours.

“I want to thank Nick for the remarkable efforts he gave for this program,” Meyer said. “He is a first-class young man who we have been honoured to coach.”