OSU suspends Bosa, Marshall, 2 others
The Buckeyes suspended Joey Bosa, Corey Smith, Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson because of unspecified violations of policies.
CHICAGO — Ohio State will face one of its toughest tests of the season without its best defensive player and three talented receivers.
The Buckeyes suspended All-America defensive end Joey Bosa, receiver Corey Smith and H-backs Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson for their opening game at Virginia Tech because of unspecified violations of athletic department policies.
“Violation of team policies,” Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer said Thursday at Big Ten media days. “That’s as far as I’ll go.”
Meyer did say the violations had nothing to do with players breaking any laws. He said he has known for a while that the suspensions were coming and that he is “100 percent supportive” of the policies.
Ohio State opens its season Labor Day night in Blacksburg, Virginia, looking to avenge a 35-21 loss to the Hokies. The Buckeyes have won 13 straight since.
“We’re pushing forward,” Meyer said. “We’re playing an extremely talented team on the road in a tough environment.”
Bosa had 13½ sacks as a sophomore and enters his junior year as one of the top NFL prospects in college football.
Meyer said the Buckeyes will look toward sophomore Jalyn Holmes and redshirt freshmen Sam Hubbard and Darius Slade to help pick up the slack for Bosa.
Marshall was second on the team in receptions as a freshman with 38 and was also the team’s best punt returner.
Wilson and Smith combined for 41 catches for 555 yards.
The Buckeyes were ranked No. 1 in the preseason coaches’ poll released
Thursday and are likely to be top-ranked in The Associated Press preseason Top 25 when it is released Aug. 23.
Ohio State brings back most of its key players from last year’s team, which bounced back from a September loss to the Hokies in Columbus to win the first College Football Playoff. Bosa might be the best of the Buckeyes. He had 21 tackles for loss last season, including a gameending sack in overtime against Penn State.
Marshall was a versatile playmaker the Buckeyes lined up all over the field, including at quarterback at times. Wilson, a junior, plays a similar role for Ohio State.