By now you all know that Jim Harbaugh and his Michigan Wolverines are set to travel to Rome, Italy, in April for a week of what the coach calls “a great educational, cultural and international football experience.” This is the last year that such trips will be allowed by the NCAA and even with that in mind, Ohio State will not be doing any such thing.
Senior Vice President and Athletic Director Gene Smith told me by text message this morning that he and other members of the administration — in addition to coach Urban Meyer — have no had any discussions about holding spring drills out of the state of Ohio. Or even the country, for that matter.
The new rule is in place because Harbaugh and Michigan went to Florida last February for a week of practice during spring break. Doing so again will become forbidden by the governing body starting on Aug. 1, 2017. So thus, this spring is the last shot at it.
And according to Smith, Ohio State doesn't intend on practicing anywhere else other than the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Spring drills start March 7 and the annual Spring Game is set for April 15.