Chase Young, the Ohio State defensive end widely considered the nation's best defensive player, issued a statement Friday morning after the school announced he will not play Saturday against Maryland.
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“Unfortunately, I won’t be playing this week because of an NCAA eligibility issue,” he wrote in a message posted to Twitter. “I made a mistake last year by accepting a loan from a family friend I’ve known since the summer before my freshman year at OSU.
Young is a junior and a captain for the Buckeyes.
“I repaid it in full last summer and I’m working with the university and NCAA to get back on the field as soon as possible. I want to thank my family, teammates, coaches and the whole Ohio State community for all the love and support. God bless and go Bucks!”
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With a nation-leading 13.5 sacks this season, he has been garnering Heisman Trophy talk and is generally considered the No. 1 prospect for the 2020 draft if he chooses to forgo his final season of eligibility.
In the meantime, he said he has embraced a leadership role for the Buckeyes.