Urban Meyer joked about it in November, but his team made use of an NCAA bylaw that allows former players to return to practice as long as the school doesn't publicize it beforehand.
Former wide receiver Brian Hartline returned to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center last week. And according to Ohio State offensive coordinator Ed Warinner, the Buckeyes also tapped former linebackers Bobby Carpenter and Zach Boren to help with Fiesta Bowl prep.
Carpenter, 33, and Boren, 25, are two grown men.
Carpenter last played for the Scarlet and Gray in 2005 and last played professionally with the New England Patriots in 2012.
Boren last played in Columbus in 2012, before three practice squad tours until 2015.
