Ohio State defensive end Chase Young will not be suiting up for Saturday’s game against Maryland, and there is a chance the star defensive end could be out longer than that.
On Friday, Ohio State announced that Young will sit out the Maryland game due to “a possible NCAA issue from 2018 that the Department of Athletics is looking into.” The statement came shortly after Austin Ward of Lettermen Row reported that Young is facing an indefinite suspension. The exact nature of the potential NCAA violation is unknown, but sources told Ward that Ohio State officials are optimistic it will be cleared up in time for Young to return this season.
Young has been the best defensive player in college football this year by a wide margin, and he has even been mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate. The junior has 13.5 sacks on the season, four of which came in a dominant performance against Wisconsin prior to Ohio State’s bye last week. Young was not available to answer questions from the media after that win.
In addition to the 13.5 sacks through eight games, Young also has five forced fumbles and is drawing unprecedented praise from those who cover the Buckeyes. He’s a consensus top-five NFL Draft pick and could go as high as No. 1, though the situation with the NCAA is now the biggest story surrounding him.
