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| OSU STATUS REPORT FOR MISSOURI |
|---|
| Out |
|
WR Nolan Baudo LB Tommy Eichenberg WR Marvin Harrison Jr. TE Zak Herbstreit S Lathan Ransom WR Reis Stocksdale OT Miles Walker LB Kourt Williams II RB Miyan Williams |
Ohio State will be without one of its most important players on both offense and defense in Friday’s Cotton Bowl.
Star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Mike linebacker Tommy Eichenberg are both listed as out on Ohio State's availability report against the Tigers.
Outside of safety Lathan Ransom and running back Miyan Williams, both of whom were already out for the season, all other major contributors who have not entered the transfer portal are available for the Buckeyes as they take on Missouri.
Neither Harrison nor Eichenberg's out designation comes as a surprise. Harrison, a Biletnikoff Award winner and Heisman Trophy finalist, did not participate in the portions of bowl week practices that were open to the media. A projected top-three pick in the 2024 NFL draft, Harrison is opting out to preserve his health.
Freshman wide receiver Carnell Tate should be the main recipient of reps in his stead. With Julian Fleming in the transfer portal, the Buckeyes’ starting lineup of wide receivers is likely to consist of Emeka Egbuka, Tate and Xavier Johnson. Freshman Brandon Inniss and redshirt sophomore Jayden Ballard are additional candidates for playing time.
Eichenberg was said to be "up in the air" to play earlier in the week by defensive coordinator Jim Knowles as he continues to nurse an arm injury he sustained at Rutgers. He's already accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl, indicating he will forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the draft, though he has not yet formally announced he will declare.
Cody Simon will likely start in his place at Mike linebacker as he did against both Michigan State and Minnesota following Eichenberg's injury. Simon has 45 tackles with three tackles for loss for Ohio State this year.
The Buckeyes kick off against the Tigers in the Cotton Bowl at 8 p.m. on ESPN. Stay tuned to Eleven Warriors for full coverage of the game.
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