Ohio State football: Chase Young out vs. Maryland for possible rules violation

Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Ohio State star defensive end Chase Young will not play against Maryland on Saturday due to a potential violation of NCAA rules.

The Buckeyes announced the decision Friday. Young leads the NCAA with 13.5 sacks. He ranks second with five forced fumbles. Ohio State said the "possible NCAA issue" stems from the 2018 season.

"Ohio State's Chase Young will not play in this Saturday's game between the Buckeyes and the Maryland Terrapins due to a possible NCAA issue from 2018 that the Department of Athletics is looking into," the Ohio State athletic department said in a statement.

Young has 29 tackles and 15.5 tackles for a loss, in addition to his nation-leading sack total. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound pass rusher had 10.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for a loss in 13 games last season. Young is expected to be a top-five pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

"Unfortunately, I won't be playing this week because of an NCAA eligibility issue," Young tweeted Friday afternoon.

"I made a mistake last year by accepting a loan from a family friend I've known since the summer before my freshman year at OSU. I repaid it in full last summer and I'm working with the university and NCAA to get back on the field as soon as possible.

"I want to thank my family, teammates, coaches and the whole Ohio State community for all the love and support. God bless and go Bucks!"

Fellow defensive end Jonathon Cooper is out due to an injury, paving the way for true freshman Zach Harrison to possibly make his first start against the Terrapins. Harrison has 10 tackles, 1.5 sacks and three tackles for a loss in eight games this season for the Buckeyes.

Former Ohio State linebacker Bobby Carpenter responded to the news of Young's absence while working as an analyst Friday on ESPN's Get Up.

"It would be a huge loss," Carpenter said. "Not for these next two weeks, but when they have to play Penn State and Michigan and then down the line taking on a team hopefully in the College Football Playoff. That's when you need Chase Young, the best player in college football."

Ohio State hosts Maryland at noon EST Saturday at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes are No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings.