Even though the Big Ten cancelled the fall football season two weeks ago, it's still difficult to face the fact that Ohio State won't take the field this September.
That's a sentiment that's shared by Big Ten players (who have created a petition for the league to reconsider it's decision), parents of said players (who flew to Chicago last week to protest the decision) and fans across the Midwest who are trying to deal with the fact that their favorite teams won't be playing while programs from the ACC, Big 12 and SEC march forward toward a fall season.
It's especially difficult for Ohio State and its fans. The Buckeyes could have been a "once-in-a-lifetime team," according to head coach Ryan Day, and they checked in at No. 2 in the preseason AP Poll Monday afternoon.
With Justin Fields back behind center, Ohio State was one of a handful of favorites to make a return trip to the College Football Playoff. But with the Big Ten season pushed back to the winter, the Buckeyes won't have the opportunity to compete this fall or contend for another title.
That creates a void for Ohio State fans that'll be hard to fill, especially with Ohio high schools and the NFL still moving toward their seasons.
At the very least, though, Buckeye fans can redirect their fandom to the former Ohio State players who'll be suiting up in the NFL this fall.
It starts with a solid group of rookies who were drafted just four months ago. A trio of Buckeyes were taken in the first round with defensive end Chase Young (selected by Washington at No. 2 overall) cornerback Jeff Okudah (Detroit at No. 3) and cornerback Damon Arnette (Las Vegas at No. 19) highlighting the 10 Ohio State players drafted.
Ok Damon Arnette.. calm down!!!
— CrockTIME (@eric_crocker) August 20, 2020
I was high on Arnette. Had him CB5 in my class. I didnt care about the 4.57 40 or short arms. His film was terrific. Textbook technique vs 4.2 speed Ruggs. Didnt fall for the half step. Extremely impressive.
: @I_Am_OD3 pic.twitter.com/HzcsU5aPg5
Another rookie expected to make a huge impact this fall is running back J.K. Dobbins, who's paired with one of the most lethal dual-threat quarterbacks in the league in Baltimore's Lamar Jackson.
But it's not just about the rookies. Former Ohio State players have thrived since being drafted in previous years.
New Orleans wideout Michael Thomas has shattered receiving records in his first four seasons in the league. He shattered the record for most receptions in a single season with 149 in 2019, and he also set the benchmark for most receptions in the first four years of his career as well.
The Bosa brothers are set to wreak havoc in backfields across the country once again. Joey Bosa has registered double-digit sack numbers in each season he's been fully healthy (three of four), and Nick Bosa is coming off a first-year campaign in which he registered nine sacks and won Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
Running back Ezekiel Elliott has delivered tremendous value since Dallas selected him fourth overall in the 2016 NFL draft, averaging 125 yards of total offense per game in his four seasons with the Cowboys.
There's a bevy of former Ohio State defensive backs anchoring NFL secondaries, highlighted by Denzel Ward in Cleveland, Marshon Lattimore in New Orleans and Vonn Bell in Cincinnati.
There are even old-timers from the Jim Tressel era who'll still suit up on Sundays. Cam Heyward is still one of the best defensive linemen in the league and is expected to anchor the Pittsburg defense yet again in 2020. Wideout Ted Ginn is still dusting corners for the Chicago Bears. Safety Malcolm Jenkins returns to the team that drafted him in New Orleans this year, and defensive end John Simon is an integral part of New England's defensive line rotation.
There won't be Ohio State football this fall, but you can at least tune in on Sundays in an attempt to pull on past memories by watching these former Buckeyes.
