Ohio State junior defensive end Nick Bosa (97) runs to tackle another member of Rutgers’ offensive team during the first half of the game on Sept. 8. Ohio State won 52-3. Credit: Amal Saeed | Assistant Photo Editor

Ohio State’s pursuit of a national championship took a major hit Tuesday with the announcement that All-American junior defensive end Nick Bosa will not play again for the university, instead turning his attention to the NFL, according to a press release from the university.

Bosa had surgery on Sept. 20 after tearing a core muscle during Ohio State’s 40-28 win on Sept. 15 against TCU.

“I was hopeful that Nick would be able to return to play again for us,” head coach Urban Meyer said in a statement. “I know this was an extremely difficult and emotional decision for Nick and his family, and I wish him well as he moves on to get himself 100 percent healthy and ready for his next chapter.”

Ohio State junior defensive end Nick Bosa (97) lies on the ground after sustaining an injuring at the beginning of the third quarter of the game against TCU on Sept. 15. Credit: Casey Cascaldo | Photo Editor

 

The 6-foot-4, 263-pound defensive end is considered to be one of the best college football players in the nation, according to many early mock drafts projecting him to be a top-five pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. His older brother, Joey Bosa, was drafted by the now-Los Angeles Chargers third overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Bosa will end his Ohio State career with a crowded shelf of accolades, having been named the 2017 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, a 2017 All-American, All-Big Ten Conference by the coaches and media and a 2016 Freshman All-American by ESPN. He led the 2017 Buckeyes in tackles-for-loss with 16 and tackles-for-loss yardage at 74 yards. He also led the team with eight sacks.

A product of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Bosa was on his way to another impactful season for the Buckeyes in 2018, having led the team with 14 tackles at the time of his injury. He also recorded six tackles-for-loss and four sacks. He forced a fumble and recovered two others, including one for a touchdown against Oregon State.

Ohio State will continue without its star defensive end when it faces Purdue at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.