Wyatt Davis
FILE - Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave catches a touchdown pass in front of Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick during the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans, in this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, file photo. After the announcements of quarterback Justin Fields, cornerback Shaun Wade and other early departures trickled out via social media after the loss to Alabama in the national championship game, the Buckeyes got a huge “stay” in Chris Olave, last season’s leading receiver who as a junior was draft eligible. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
Day encouraged by returning players who put off NFL dreams

By Mitch Stacy Jan. 22, 2021 01:52 PM EST

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game against Northwestern, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)
Sugar Bowl: Unfinished business for Clemson and Ohio State

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 31, 2020 01:38 PM EST

Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector, bottom center and Notre Dame running back Kyren Williams, right, scramble to grab a fumble during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. Notre Dame recovered the ball. (Jeff Siner/The News & Observer via AP)
Sacrifice and stress: How players handled season of COVID-19

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 29, 2020 02:04 AM EST

Northwestern running back Cam Porter, left, scores a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Illinois in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Ramsey, No. 15 Wildcats try to end No. 3 Buckeyes' title run

By Michael Marot Dec. 17, 2020 05:24 PM EST

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day talks to his players during an NCAA college football game against Indiana, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Column: Big Ten makes right call on Buckeyes in title game

By Paul Newberry Dec. 11, 2020 05:04 PM EST

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh stands on the sideline during the first quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Wisconsin in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Michigan cancels Ohio State showdown, citing COVID-19 cases

By Larry Lage And Mitch Stacy Dec. 08, 2020 01:40 PM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass against Clemson during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal in Glendale, Ariz. When Fields got together with some of his teammates last Saturday to watch college football on TV, the mood was dark. “Distraught,” Fields said. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
'Grateful' - Players celebrate Big Ten's reversal on season

By Mitch Stacy Sep. 18, 2020 06:19 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Indiana tight end Turon Ivy Jr. (84) and place kicker Nathanael Snyder (99) celebrate with the Old Oaken Bucket following an NCAA college football game against Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. Less than five weeks after pushing football and other fall sports to spring in the name of player safety during the pandemic, the conference changed course Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020, and said it plans to begin its season the weekend of Oct. 23-24. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Big Ten teams start sprint toward unusual football season

By Michael Marot Sep. 17, 2020 03:01 AM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons (11) tackles Rutgers tight end Johnathan Lewis (11) in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, in State College, Pa. Parsons was selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America first-team, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. Parsons and Oregon tackle Penei Sewell are among 11 players selected who are not slated to play this fall. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger, File)
Parsons, Sewell among AP preseason All-Americans not playing

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 25, 2020 12:00 PM EDT

FILE - In this Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, file photo, Penn State offensive lineman Will Fries (71) plays against Washington during the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, in Glendale, Ariz. These times amid the coronavirus pandemic have brought an extra level of anxiety for current college players hoping for a stellar season or at least one that will raise their profile with NFL scouts. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Virus has NFL prospects pondering threat of a lost season

By Mitch Stacy May. 18, 2020 01:43 AM EDT