Urban Meyer spoke with the media on Monday and announced that starting nose tackle Michael Hill will be suspended for at least the season opener later this month.
“Yeah, he’s suspended for a few games,” Meyer said. “I’ve not determined exactly what it is right now, so he won’t play in the opener.”
Meyer declined to shed further light on the suspension regarding the why or the how long.
The suspension has been cycling through the rumor mill for a while. Redshirt sophomore Robert Landers spent most of the spring running with the ones while Hill was with the second team.
Landers will need to step up in Hill’s absence, as will fifth-year senior Tracy Sprinkle, who is returning from an injury-shortened 2016 season. Redshirt sophomore Davon Hamilton and true freshman Haskell Garrett will be called upon as well. Meyer cited Garrett as one rookie who will play this season.
Hill started all 13 games last season for the Buckeyes, finishing with 21 tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss.