Ohio State coach Ryan Day announces 'Long-term injury' for former 4-star linebacker

Ohio State coach Ryan Day delivered some bad news on Monday morning.

Former 4-star linebacker Mitchell Melton is out with a long-term injury.

Ryan Day meeting with the media now after Ohio State's eighth practice of the year. He said second-year linebacker Mitchell Melton is out with a “long-term injury.”

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) April 5, 2021

Several Ohio State beat reporters noted that Melton was on crutches during the Buckeyes’ practice on Monday morning.

Melton is a redshirt freshman who didn’t see much game time in 2020, but has been impressive during practices. He now joins a long list of Buckeyes who are out or limited for spring ball, including Haskell Garrett, Kourt Williams and Dallas Gant.

“You have to push through it — it’s just the way it is,” Day said, via Cleveland.com. “We have to be tough and we have to be physical, so we’re going to do that.”

Melton was the No. 24 outside linebacker in the country for the class of 2020, according to 247Sports Composite rankings. He’s originally from Olney, Maryland, and chose the Buckeyes over offers from Michigan, Notre Dame and others.