ATHENS — Change is in the wind at Ohio State, or so it seems.
Truthfully, December has become a time of tremendous change for every college football program. But the winds seem to be blowing particularly hard this week in Columbus, Ohio, where the No. 4-ranked Buckeyes are preparing for their Dec. 31 matchup against No. 1 Georgia in the College Football Playoff.
On Tuesday, Ohio State learned it would be without another one of its considerable stockpile of skill players. TreVeyon Henderson, considered the premier running back for the Buckeyes, announced that he would be unable to play in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. The 5-foot-10, 215-pound sophomore, who had been slowed with a foot injury late in the year, was advised by doctors to shut down now and undergo surgery.
As a freshman last year, Henderson rushed for 1,248 yards and scored 19 touchdowns, finishing No. 2 nationally in yards per carry (7.0) among players with 100 or more attempts. This year, he was second on the team with 71.4 yards rushing per game, just behind Miyan Williams (74.3).
Henderson made the announcement on social media Tuesday apparently before Ohio State coach Ryan Day was ready. Day deflected questions about Henderson earlier at his Peach Bowl news conference.
“I’ll probably give you an update on Trey here in the next few days,” Day said when asked whether Henderson would prepare and play with the Buckeyes. “I don’t have an update on where he is right now as we get off the road (recruiting). … We’ll get back to you on that one.”
The Buckeyes still have plenty of backfield talent. In addition to Williams (817 yards, 13 TDs), they can turn to Dallan Hayden (510-5) and DeaMonte Trayanum (92-0).
Henderson’s news comes days after wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba announced he was going to forgo the Buckeyes’ postseason to prepare for the NFL draft. Star of the 2021 team, Smith-Njigba had five catches in three games this season while battling a chronic hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, the Buckeyes also learned this week they are losing offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson. Wilson has accepted the head coaching job at Tulsa. However, he is remaining with Ohio State for the duration of its playoff run.
“We sat down and talked about this. He’s going to stay through the bowl game,” Day said. “He’s been doing a great job of that, but he’s working 24 hours a day right now.”
Georgia hasn’t been able to avoid the winds of change, either. The Bulldogs lost Buster Faulkner, one of their primary offensive analysts, to Georgia Tech, where he will become Brent Key’s offensive coordinator. Faulkner is very close to Stetson Bennett, even accompanying Georgia’s quarterback to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. But now Faulkner is already on the road recruiting for the Yellow Jackets. Junior defensive tackle Bill Norton announced his impending transfer last week.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs returned to the practice field this week. On Wednesday, they will conduct their postseason media day as Peach Bowl CEO Gary Stokan comes to campus to extend the official invitation.
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