Half of Ohio’s initial defensive line is not in Miami.
Nose tackle Tommy Togiai and defensive side Tyreke Smith lead the list of Buckeyes unavailable for the national championship game against Alabama, according to the team’s status report released approximately an hour and a half before the game started.
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Ohio State Status Report for the National Championship |
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| PLAY TIME DECISION |
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N / D |
| UNAVAILABLE |
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DT TOMMY TOGIAI |
They will also be without kicker Blake Haubeil, who previously accessed Instagram to reveal that he tested positive for COVID-19, despite having “spent the past 4 months making sacrifices and not seeing family and friends once”. Running back Miyan Williams and striker Dawand Jones – a pair of assistants – will also be unavailable along with cornerback Cameron Brown, striker Jacolbe Cowan, defensive tackle Ty Hamilton, wide receiver Jaylen Harris, linebacker Mitchell Melton and safety Kourt Williams.
Ohio State will have left guard Harry Miller, running back Master Teague and defenders Zach Harrison and Tyler Friday at their disposal, after they were found unavailable for the Sugar Bowl against Clemson.
Without Togiai and Smith in tow, Ohio will need everything it can get from Harrison and Friday, among others. Jerron Cage, a fourth-year defensive striker from Cincinnati, could be on the line to start in place of Togiai with 1 coach. Antwuan Jackson is also likely to see an increase in photos. Larry Johnson, the famous defensive line coach, is expected to launch a final defensive rotation with Jonathon Cooper, Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Harrison and Friday playing most snaps.
Teague’s return to action comes at an important time with Williams unable to go. He will probably spell Trey Sermon, although it is not clear how many carry the initial single tailback it will take.
Ohio State’s offensive line coach Greg Studrawa has a choice to make in the left guard, where he could choose to go with Miller – who started all but one game – or Matthew Jones, who impressed in his second game against the Tigers. Both have initial experience. Since Jones can’t play, freshman Paris Johnson may be the first guy to come off the bench both on guard and in tackle.