It's looking like an injury will keep Mitchell Melton on the sidelines for a second year in a row.
While Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles didn't yet have a "total answer" about whether the third-year defensive end will be able to play this fall after suffering an injury in the spring game, he did indicate it's unlikely, saying a return this season is "gonna be tough."
Before the injury, Melton was making progress toward earning a potential role in Ohio State’s defensive end rotation this year. After starting his Ohio State career at linebacker, Melton moved into Larry Johnson’s position group this spring and was named by coaches as a candidate to play the hybrid linebacker/defensive end Jack position that Knowles is adding to Ohio State’s defense.