Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa, receiver Corey Smith and H-backs Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson will miss the Buckeyes' season opener against Virginia Tech for a violation of athletic department policy, the school announced in a press release Thursday. ESPN's Joe Schad reports "marijuana and academics" are behind the suspensions.
A unanimous All-American last season, Bosa should probably already be playing on Sundays. Smith caught 20 passes for the Buckeyes last season, while Wilson and Marshall were second and third on the team, respectively, in all-purpose yardage.
Ohio State's game against Virginia Tech last season ended in a stunning 35-21 loss in Columbus for the eventual national champions. Now the newly minted preseason No. 1 Buckeyes have to travel to Blacksburg to face one of the country's most frustrating defensive schemes without the help of three of their best offensive weapons and perhaps the best defensive player in the country.
There is one bit of good news to help offset the loss of three of Ohio State's best receivers: the addition of former quarterback Braxton Miller to the unit, which should help provide some explosiveness.
However, Virginia Tech should probably be better this year, too.
More on the impact, from Land-Grant Holy Land:
Bosa's replacements will be young, yet very talented. All were highly ranked recruits and have done nothing but gain the praise of defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who has sent a number of linemen to the NFL.
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Looking back at the positional changes that occurred during the spring, they may have had an underlying meaning. Marshall was rumored to be making the switch to wide receiver, but he and Wilson were most likely going to split time in the slot and at H-back.
Rumors started to swirl about these suspensions back in April, at the same time that Curtis Samuel started to get reps at the H-back position.