"The reality is the return on a bilateral repair like that is about 12 weeks. When you do the math on that, we looked at that and to really safety return put him well into December. So as a family, just a horrible decision and just a heart-breaking decision for us because as you know I think we were going to witness one of the most amazing years a defensive lineman has had here and obviously Nicholas was focused, part of his goals was to see how far we could get through there in the playoffs, so it was a very difficult decision. But obviously as a family and to look at his future health and to look at the repair and his decision, this was the right decision to make."
He added that the family has great affection for both OSU head coach Urban Meyer and defensive line coach Larry Johnson.
"It's just been a wonderful experience and unfortunately it has to end like this but we know we're doing the right thing for our son. We love the Buckeyes and it's heart-breaking to know we're not going to be watching him anymore in a Buckeye uniform."
While Nick Bosa’s college career is over, his father said he should be fully ready to go for the NFL Combine in March.
FROM EARLIER:
Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer said Monday he still hoped star Nick Bosa would return to the Buckeyes at some point this season.
Almost exactly 24 hours later, the school announced the All-American defensive end plans “to withdraw from school in order to devote more time to his rehabilitation and training efforts.”
>>RELATED: Ohio State hoping to get healthier ahead of trip to Purdue
Bosa has been out since suffering a core muscle injury during Ohio State's win over TCU on Sept. 15.
He had surgery the following week and was declared out for an indefinite time period. When — or if — he might be cleared to play again is unknown publicly at this time.
“I was hopeful that Nick would be able to return to play again for us,” Meyer said in a team release. “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. I want to thank Nick for the remarkable efforts he gave for this program. He is a first-class young man who we have been honored to coach.”
Later on the weekly Big Ten coaches conference call, Meyer said he was very emotional when he learned of the decision.
“We love Nick,” Meyer said. “The Bosa family has obviously been obviously awesome for Ohio State and the program. Nick is a first-class guy. He’s very strong in his faith. He’s very strong academically so it was very emotional.”
So many good photos of Nick Bosa and Joey Bosa through the years. Here's a look back at their careers with @OhioStateFB https://t.co/wP8HrlrSBg pic.twitter.com/4gmXLzFIK1
— David Jablonski (@DavidPJablonski) October 16, 2018
A team captain who had four sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery for a touchdown, Bosa is widely projected to be one of the first players taken in the 2019 NFL Draft — if not No. 1 overall.
The Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas graduate finishes his career with 29 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss.
He was named the Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and a consensus All-American last season.
He hopes to follow older brother Joey into the NFL. Joey Bosa was the No. 3 pick in the 2016 draft. After a strong start to his NFL career, the elder Bosa has been sidelined this season with a foot injury.
As for who will pick up the slack in the wake of Nick Bosa’s exit, Meyer named Chase Young, Jonathon Cooper, Jashon Cornell, Tyreke Smith and Tyler Friday.
“Well, the guys that have (replaced him already),” Meyer said. “Tyreke Smith is a very talented guy. I wish he were a little more established and experienced, but he’s getting better every week.”
ANALYSIS: What losing Nick Bosa for good means for Ohio State football https://t.co/iZ2k16DAUV
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) October 16, 2018
Despite playing only roughly three of a possible 14 halves this season, Bosa is still third on the team in tackles for loss (six) and tied for second in sacks (four) despite playing only about three of a potential 14 halves this season.
Tackle Dre’Mont Jones leads the way with 8.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
Young has eight TFLs, including four sacks, while Cooper has two tackles for loss and a sack. Smith has not been credited with a TFL yet while Friday and Cornell each have one TFL (Friday’s was a sack).
>>RELATED: Chase Young honors Nick Bosa with big plays, production vs. Penn State
“I think they’ve played pretty good,” he said of the defensive line in Bosa’s absence. “Obviously you take one of the best players in college football out, so that’s an issue, but overall I think they’ve played pretty good.”
Asked if highly regarded NFL prospects might make leaving early as soon as something goes wrong in their last year a trend, Meyer wasn’t sure.
“Oh I don’t know. I can understand, but haven’t really thought about it. I think every person is different, but I don’t know.”
He also was unaware of whether or not Bosa plans to be around the team at all the rest of the season.
“I think the family is still kind of working on that right now,” he said. “That might be a question for them. I’m not sure yet.”
Teammates use Twitter to show of support Nick Bosa’s decision to leave Ohio State https://t.co/WSuBzW76UA
— David Jablonski (@DavidPJablonski) October 16, 2018
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