NCAA makes ruling on sixth year of eligibility for Ohio State WR C.J. Saunders

A sixth year of eligibility for C.J. Saunders is off the table. The Ohio State wide receiver’s career as a player has come to an end.

On Tuesday, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said that the NCAA has denied a hardship waiver for Saunders that would’ve allowed him to utilize a sixth year of eligibility with the Buckeyes. However, Saunders will be a member of the staff in some capacity.

Day said Ohio State plans to give Saunders a role on the staff in some capacity for the 2020 season. No specifics were provided when Day met with the media on Tuesday.

No NCAA waiver for CJ Saunders to play this season, will join coaching staff to help this season "We're disappointed he can't play, but glad he can still be with us here"

— Steve Helwagen (@SteveHelwagen) August 4, 2020

Saunders, a former walk-on at Ohio State, was hindered by injuries during his career in Columbus. He suffered an injury prior to the 2019 campaign which forced him to spend the season on the sidelines.

Now that his playing days are over in Columbus, Saunders officially ends his career with 27 receptions for 294 yards and a touchdown while appearing in 23 contests.