CHICAGO — Ohio State football will be without linebacker/defensive end Mitchell Melton for Saturday’s game against Northwestern at Wrigley Field.
He is listed as out on OSU’s availability report along with tight end Will Kacmarek, left tackle Zen Michalski, defensive back Aaron Scott and defensive back Calvin Simpson-Hunt.
Ohio State enters the matchup coming off a win against Purdue in which Melton only played four snaps.
However, his versatility was on display when he was on the field.
While he’s listed as a linebacker, Melton has served as an edge rusher most of the season with Ohio State typically rushing four linemen in front of two linebackers.
However, the Buckeyes experimented with the, “jack” position against the Boilermakers with Melton filling the role.
The position serves as a hybrid of a defensive end and linebacker, making Melton an obvious candidate for defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
Melton is in his fifth year with the program and has appeared in all nine games this season.