Buckeyes lose starting linebacker for season
Ohio State linebacker Tyler Moeller, a projected starter, is expected to sit out the season after injuring his head when it hit the floor during a family trip in Florida about two weeks ago.
OSU coach Jim Tressel told reporters that he originally feared Moeller would not play football again but now expects the junior to rejoin the team sometime in the future. Reportedly Moeller was punched at a bar/restaurant and fell and hit his head. He was not immediately hospitalized but suffered an apparent seizure last week and was admitted to the hospital for tests.
“From what I gather, Tyler didn’t have much to do with what happened,” Tressel told reporters. “Would I be privy to talk about the whys and the wherefores? No, because there are extenuating circumstances that are ongoing. Needless to say, it’s unfortunate.”
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Moeller started the final two regular-season games last season and was expected to replace All-Big Ten selection Marcus Freeman at outside linebacker. Moeller had 18 tackles (three for a loss) last season. He was Ohio’s Division I Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in high school.
Although he redshirted as a true freshman, Moeller might petition for a medical redshirt and a sixth year of eligibility.
Ross Homan is the only returning starter at linebacker. Thus there are two spots waiting to be filled by a group that includes senior Austin Spitler, junior Brian Rolle, sophomores Etienne Sabino and Andrew Sweat, and maybe even true freshmen Dorian Bell and Storm Klein.
Meanwhile, Buckeyes receiver Ray Small has been sitting out preseason camp due to academic issues, but his father says he’s due to rejoin the team any day. Small was the Big Ten’s leading punt returner last season with a 15.1-yard average but has had a long string of off-field issues.
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