One of the biggest storylines heading into the final stretch of the season could affect the Big Ten Conference, the Heisman Trophy race and the College Football Playoff. And it centers around one of college football's most talented players.
The suspension to Ohio State defensive end Chase Young has implications on the Buckeyes' Big Ten and Playoff title hopes, but it has also raised questions as to why Young was suspended in the first place, whether that would result in forfeiture of games and when — if — he could return to the field this season.
MORE: How Chase Young suspension affects Ohio State, Big Ten, Playoff
Young said he took out a loan from a family friend to fly his girlfriend out to the Buckeyes' 2019 Rose Bowl Game against Washington, which was the crux of his eligibility.
Here's everything you need to know about Young's suspension, its length, and what it means for Ohio State moving forward.
How long is Chase Young's suspension?
In the end, Chase Young's suspension will amount only to two games, according to an announcement from Ohio State on Wednesday.
Still, many wondered prior to the Buckeyes' announcement just how long the suspension would last. Kirk Herbstreit, for example, reported on Saturday that his suspension would be slotted to four games by the NCAA (though he suggested it could be reduced to two games once the school appeals). Ohio State spokesman Jerry Emig later said that report was incorrect.
Again from @CollegeGameDay this am Chase Young suspended 4 games based on the AMOUNT that was provided. It is slotted to 4 games. $ was paid back.
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 9, 2019
VERY IMPORTANT.
OSU will gather intel/appeal and expect to hear back from NCAA next week. My guess 2 games after appeal.
Kyle Rowland of The Blade (Toledo, Ohio) reported on Sunday that a ruling should be made this week and that Young likely would face a maximum of a two-game suspension.
Multiple sources have told The Blade that a ruling should be made this week regarding Chase Young and that he’s facing a maximum suspension of two games.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) November 10, 2019
Here is Ohio State's remaining schedule this regular season, including the Buckeyes' Saturday win over Maryland. Young will return for the team's Nov. 23 meeting with Penn State.
| Team | Date | Result |
| Maryland | Nov. 9 | W, 73-14 |
| Rutgers | Nov. 16 | TBD |
| Penn State | Nov. 23 | TBD |
| Michigan | Nov. 30 | TBD |
Did Chase Young violate NCAA rules?
There are several issues to parse through to determine whether the NCAA will say whether Young violated its rules. That includes the amount of money loaned to Young, the type and timing of the relationship he has with the person who loaned him the money, whether the loan was concealed and whether he paid it back in full.
Following the initial Friday report that Young would be suspended for Ohio State's game against Maryland, Young tweeted that he "made a mistake" of accepting a loan from a family friend "I've known since the summer before my freshman year at OSU." In the same tweet, he said he paid the loan off in full, which was corroborated by his lawyer, Tim Nevius.
— CY2 (@youngchase907) November 8, 2019
Bruce Feldman of The Athletic (subscription required) reported that the loan was used to fly Young's girlfriend out to Ohio State's 2019 Rose Bowl game against Washington. It's uncertain how much money Young accepted, but a roundtrip ticket for a flight from Columbus, Ohio to Pasadena, Calif. — site of the Rose Bowl — ranges from roughly $200 to $325, depending on the airline. That would be considerably less money than Ware accepted from an agent in 2017.
It seems the main NCAA in question was bylaw 16.11: "Benefits, Gifts, and Services." In particular, it seems like Ohio State must prove Young did not violate rule 16.11.1.3c: "The relationship between the individual providing the loan and the student-athlete existed prior to the initiation of the student-athlete's recruitment by the member institution."
That seems to be the biggest hurdle for Young to retain his eligibility for the remainder of the season. Based off his Friday tweet, he knew the "family friend" who loaned him the money since the summer before his senior year. Considering Young was the No. 7 overall recruit in the class of 2017 and signed with Ohio State in February 2017, his status as an elite recruit was clearly established by the time he entered into a relationship with the family friend.
What's next for Chase Young, Ohio State?
Nothing. Ohio State in its statement did not seem to intimate it would challenge the NCAA's ruling of a two-game suspension. While the suspension likely ruins Young's chances at winning the Heisman, the Buckeyes don't need him to beat Rutgers on Saturday.
