Nick Bosa’s career as an Ohio State Buckeye is over. He will withdraw from the university to focus on his rehabilitation in preparation for the NFL Combine, OSU’s pro day, and the NFL Draft.
His departure leaves the Buckeyes without an important piece of their team and arguably the best player in college football.
But the reactions to his decision have been nothing but positive.
Former and current Ohio State players immediately reacted on Twitter, but several teammates also responded to questions from the media on Tuesday night, as did defensive coordinator Greg Schiano.
Bosa received nothing but support from those who played alongside him this season.
Jordan Fuller
“Man that’s my brother. He’s our captain,” junior safety Jordan Fuller said. “He just made the best decision for him and I’m proud of him for making that. I know it’s definitely not easy, but he’s definitely gotta be selfish in a way in this moment. But that’s still our bother and our captain and I’m happy for him.”
Fuller said that there was more person to person talk between the players about Bosa, and there was no team-wide discussion. Fuller said they found out that he was leaving by talking among each other.
“Obviously he has a lot of football left in his career, so yeah, he made the best decision for him and I’m happy for him. I sent him a text today too.
“When you talk about generational wealth and being a top draft pick, anything you can do to keep that solidified, you’ve got to take care of. I think he made the best decision for him.”
Fuller said that not much changes because their approach is week to week, and they haven’t had Bosa for a few weeks now, so they haven’t really thought ahead.
Binjimen Victor
My brudda ??? @nbsmallerbear https://t.co/Ahaya3wqeZ
— BenVictor‼️?? (@BinjimenVictor) October 16, 2018
Greg Schiano
Defensive coordinator Greg Schiano said that he was not involved in the discussions with Bosa and his family. But he knows that this is nothing new in the world of sports.
“There’s decisions that are made,” he said. “Everyone has to make decisions that are the best decisions for them. I don’t think that it’s anything new, we’ve seen it happen in the last few years and it won’t be the last time we see it happen. But Nick is… I love him. I loved coaching him. Fantastic player, one of the best I’ve ever coached. He’s gonna heal up and he’s gonna be a great player at the next level.”
He said Bosa will be missed and this is tough for everybody including Nick.
“You lose a player of Nick’s ability… there’s not even anyone else like him,” Schiano said.
He thinks his team has adjusted well because the phrase he uses is “next man up.” He knows the nature of athletics is to play with who he has to work with.
Schiano said there was certainly no memorial or anything with the guys on Tuesday. They came out to practice as normal. But Schiano said he expects it to be a bit more emotional between them when they talk with Bosa personally.
Dre’Mont Jones
What!?! You told me you were staying next year? https://t.co/gHDYJQbkD5
— Dre'Mont Jones (@TheOfficial_80) October 16, 2018
Dwayne Haskins
Sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins said that he was not surprised by Bosa’s decision to leave.
“We prepared for Nick not coming back but I’m excited for him and his decision and I wish him the best of luck.”
We’re going to hold it down brotha, I gotchu. @nbsmallerbear ? https://t.co/VZdpSBqam8
— Dwayne Haskins, Jr? (@dh_simba7) October 16, 2018
K.J. Hill
Junior H-back K.J. Hill didn’t think that this news was coming and he has not had a chance to talk to Bosa yet.
“I feel like he made the best decision for him and his family,” Hill said. “We support him either way. We love him like a brother and good luck to him.”
But now for the team, they have to move forward despite losing a player of Bosa’s caliber.
“We know that we’re all bothers,” Hill said. “I know that he made the best decision for him, so he did that and we congratulated him and good luck in the draft, and we’re headed to Purdue.”
Bosa even made his own post about his departure from Ohio State on Instagram on Tuesday.