Lorenzo Styles Jr. was available according to Ohio State's status report before the Wisconsin game, but ultimately did not play.
With another two weeks to recover from the upper-body injury he sustained against Minnesota on Oct. 5, Styles' likely return completes a clean bill of health for all the Buckeyes' starters and major contributors against Penn State.
“Expecting him to play in the game,” Ryan Day said when asked about Styles on Wednesday. “He’s had a good week of practice. So he’s (just now) getting off the field today, but everything looks good. So we’re excited to have him back.”
Freshman wide receiver Quincy Porter, the fifth-most-used receiver on Ohio State's roster behind Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss and Mylan Graham, is the most notable injury for the Buckeyes.
| OSU STATUS REPORT FOR PENN STATE |
|---|
| Out |
|
DE Logan George S Malik Hartford QB Mason Maggs WR Quincy Porter RB Anthony "Turbo" Rogers DT Maxwell Roy DT Ahmed Tounkara |
Fellow backup receiver Bryson Rodgers returns for the first time since he saw two snaps at Washington on Sep. 28. Backup safety Malik Hartford joins Porter on the list of players out, but there's a good chance he redshirts this season as is. He appeared in Ohio State’s first four games of the year, but hasn’t played since.
Styles, who missed both the Illinois and Wisconsin games, allowed one big catch against Ohio in Week 3 but has otherwise been as dependable at the notoriously difficult nickel position. Outside that 67-yard touchdown he allowed to Bobcat wideout Chase Hendricks, he's given up 59 yards in 16 targets in pass coverage per Pro Football Focus, just 3.7 yards per target. He has 17 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup this season.
Star cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. slid over to nickel in Styles' place the last two games while freshman Devin Sanchez started in Mathews' place on the outside. Sanchez had freshman moments but also showed flashes of the talents that make him a five-star prospect in those two starts. While he's surrendered 9.2 yards per target in coverage, Sanchez also has seven tackles, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
Porter has three receptions for 45 yards in 48 snaps this season. Depending on how often the Buckeyes utilize their backup wideouts this game, it could mean a bit more playing time for Mylan Graham (83 offensive snaps this year) and Rodgers (16). Rodgers has two receptions for 22 yards in 2025, while Graham has two catches for 33 yards.
Ohio State and Penn State kick off at noon on FOX Saturday.
