Scarlet Sunrise: No, Nick Bosa did not turn his back on Ohio State football

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Why Nick Bosa is done at Ohio State

It took some time, but the correct perspective regarding Nick Bosa’s decision to leave Ohio State came courtesy of his dad John Bosa on Tuesday afternoon. It’s not that Nick won’t play for Ohio State — it’s that he can’t play.

“The realistic timeframe is 12 weeks,” John told Sports Illustrated. “Twelve weeks brings us into December.”

Well… what about the College Football Playoff? There’s an answer for that one, too. Being available is not the same as being prepared, especially when going up against at least one and possibly two of the four best teams in the country.

“There’s timeframes for injuries, and then timeframes for an elite pass rusher,” John said. “It’s not about rehabbing so you can be back on the used car lot or be a mechanic. When is he able to be safe and play at the same level? When you look at the preparation he goes through in preseason, that’s not a realistic timeframe for it to be safe. It’s just not.”

This isn’t Denzel Ward sitting out of the Cotton Bowl to protect his draft stock. Yes, Bosa is leaving with meaningful games left in the midst of a championship run. But nobody seems to remember that he’s currently injured and that only his doctors and trainers can speak to the progress he’s made and the timetable for recovery.

Obviously the NFL Draft factors into this decision. If Bosa didn’t rank among the top prospects, he’d have less to lose by playing when he’s not fully healthy. But the fact remains that he believes that during this season there won’t be a point where he’s healthy enough to feel comfortable playing and risking tens of millions of dollars. That’s a lot different than making that decision while healthy.

Here’s what we wrote about Nick Bosa yesterday:

Nick Bosa’s decision shocking but understandable

Lettermen Live: Discussing Nick Bosa’s decision with Beanie Wells

Ohio State supports Nick Bosa’s decision

5-star DE visits Ohio State

The Buckeyes may be losing momentum with 5-star defensive end Zach Harrison, but that is absolutely not the case with Pickerington North 5-star defensive end Jack Sawyer.

Sawyer, 6-foot-5 and 220-pounds, returned to Ohio State for the third time this season and continues to be as visible at home games as any player in the country. The Class of 2021 prospect is ranked as the No. 3 overall player in the sophomore class, and he used this visit as another opportunity to check out what Urban Meyer and Larry Johnson had to say.

“The goal of this trip was to just to get up again and see everyone,” Sawyer told Lettermen Row. “The visit was great, it went really well. I definitely accomplished my goal.

“I’m really comfortable at Ohio State right now. There’s no pressure from them to commit. It’s just really close and comfortable with the coaching staff. I don’t know right now what else I still need to learn about them.”

Haskins, Burrow both shining

As someone who watched in person as Joe Burrow and LSU took apart No. 2 Georgia on Saturday, I have to admit I really enjoyed this story from Lettermen Row senior writer Austin Ward on Dwayne Haskins and Joe Burrow both having really successful seasons thus far.

Counting down

• Ohio State at Purdue: 3 days
• The Game: 38 days

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