The Ohio State University (OSU) football team suspended Joey Bosa and three other players for the Buckeyes' season opener due to violations of team rules.
The school confirmed to the Columbus Dispatch the one-game suspensions of Bosa, a defensive end; Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson, both hybrid-backs; and Corey Smith, a wide receiver. All four will sit out the Buckeyes' first regular season matchup, an away game on Monday, Sept. 7 against Virginia Tech.
STATEMENT: Four individuals from the football team will miss Va Tech game (9/7) for violating Dept of Athletics policy... MORE>>>
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) July 30, 2015
CONT. STATEMENT: ... Individuals are: Jr. DE Joey Bosa, So. H-B Jalin Marshall, Sr. WR Corey Smith and Jr. H-B Dontre Wilson. — Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) July 30, 2015
With a deep, talented squad on both sides of the ball, Ohio State was the clear favorite in the Big Ten, and throughout college football, but Virginia Tech was the Buckeyes' single loss last season.
Citing unnamed sources, ESPN reported the suspension were made for marijuana possession and academic violations. An All-American last season, Bosa is also coming off a Defensive Player of the Year effort in the Big Ten. Marshall, Smith, and Wilson combined for more than 1,000 yards of total offense last season.
Ohio State head football coach Urban Meyer is scheduled to speak at the annual Big Ten Media Day event on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. ET. The Big Ten Network will stream the address live online, but a television subscription is required.
