Shutterstock
The Ohio State football program has taken a major hit ahead of the final stretch of the 2019 season. On Friday, November 8, it was reported that star defensive end Chase Young is facing an indefinite suspension and will miss this weekend’s game against the Maryland Terrapins. The news was first reported by Letterman Row.
The university is reportedly looking into an undisclosed violation of NCAA rules that potentially happened in 2018 — Young says it stems from a loan he took from a family friend before his freshman year of college.
“Ohio State’s Chase Young will not play in this Saturday’s game between the Buckeyes and the Maryland Terrapins due to a possible NCAA issue from 2018 that the Department of Athletics is looking into,” Ohio State University said in a statement announcing the news.
Young has responded to the news with a statement of his own.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be playing this week because of an NCAA eligibility issue. I made a mistake last year by accepting a loan from a family friend I’ve known since the summer before my freshman year at OSU,” he wrote on social media. “I repaid it in full last summer and I’m working with the University and NCAA to get back on the field as soon as possible. I want to thank my family, teammates, coaches, and the whole Ohio State community for all the love and support. God bless and go Bucks!”
The devastating news comes two weeks after Young scored four sacks and five tackles for a loss in the Buckeyes’ 38-7 blowout win over the Wisconsin Badgers. Young set the Ohio State single-game record in both categories.
Many believe Young is a potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and he is widely regarded as one of the best college football players in the nation. Having him on the sideline for an indefinite period of time could be a huge blow to the Buckeyes’ College Football Playoff hopes.
