Bosa to focus on NFL draft instead of returning to Ohio State

Potential No. 1 overall pick Nick Bosa will focus on preparing for the 2019 NFL Draft instead of returning to Ohio State once the defensive end has recovered from a core muscle injury.

The Buckeyes announced Tuesday that Bosa has decided to withdraw from school completely and devote his attention to rehabbing the injury and training for the next level.

"I was hopeful that Nick would be able to return to play again for us," head coach Urban Meyer said in a news release issued by the program. "I know this was an extremely difficult and emotional decision for Nick and his family, and I wish him well as he moves on to get himself 100 percent healthy and ready for his next chapter. I want to thank Nick for the remarkable efforts he gave for this program. He is a first-class young man who we have been honored to coach."

The younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers star Joey, Bosa arrived at Ohio State as a five-star prospect out of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

In 30 career games for the Buckeyes, he posted 17.5 sacks and 29 tackles for a loss. He had four sacks this season in three games before going down with the injury, which required surgery, against TCU.

Bosa and Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver are widely viewed as the most likely candidates to be selected with the first pick in the 2019 draft.