Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer took his turn Tuesday on the Big Ten’s weekly coaches teleconference. He spoke about Nick Bosa’s decision to move on and how that conversation went. Who needs to step up in Bosa’s absence? Meyer also talked about how his health is doing currently, and then talked a bit more about Nick Bosa. Here are the highlights.
+ Asked who needs to step up now with Nick Bosa moving on, Meyer said it’s the guys who already have. You’d like to see Tyreke Smith do more, but he’s getting better. Tyler Friday too. The other established guys have stepped up and need to continue to do so.
+ Meyer isn’t sure if the Nick Bosa thing will be a trend where players skip a season due to injury. “I haven’t really thought about it. Every individual is different.”
+ The meeting with Nick Bosa was very emotional. The Bosa family has been great for the Buckeyes. Nick is a class guy, “so it was very emotional.” Meyer was hopeful he would return, “but I can’t say that I was that surprised.”
+ Nick Bosa and Denzel Ward are two class guys. No different than losing players a year early. You have to move forward.
+ Asked what type of mental blow losing Bosa is to the players, Meyer said this just happened, so he’s still debating on how to approach it with his staff.
+ There have been a lot of injuries this season, but he likes the way players have stepped up. The passing game is a positive as well. The big plays given up by the defense is a big concern and they are working hard on that.
+ Damon Arnette is a good player. They need him against a team like Purdue. If he can’t go this week, Meyer isn’t sure which way they’ll go on Saturday as the third cornerback.
+ Meyer realized two or three years ago that Terry McLaurin would be special. “He’s a self-made player.” He is the star of Real Life Wednesdays with his internships. He’s an A+ guy.
+ The Bosa family is still working on where Nick will be living moving forward.
+ Asked how his health is going, Meyer said he has dealt with headaches this year and last year, but “I’m doing fine.” “It’s a cyst that I deal with that sometimes flares up. Medication helps. It’s been going on a few years now. It’s fine.”
+ Haskell Garrett got some reps at defensive end last week because they were missing Jonathon Cooper. He’ll be back inside this week where he is needed as well.
+ Meyer feels like the defensive line has played “pretty good” in Bosa’s absence. It’s hard to not miss one of the best players in college football.
+ Is it better for the team that the Nick Bosa news came out now? “Oh, I don’t know. That’s probably a good question but it’s all so recent that I haven’t thought about it.”