Urban Meyer claims key injury cost Ohio State, had edge over 2018 Clemson champions

Urban Meyer stands on the sidelines before the Peach Bowl semifinal game between the Oregon Ducks and Indiana Hoosiers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Jan.9, 2026.(Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)

Meyer acknowledged the logic behind preparing Nick Bosa for theNFL Draftbut admitted the choice still stung as the Buckeyes chased a title.

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“He got hurt (in) game 3.When he was getting close to maybe be able to come back, they decided to get him ready for the NFL Draft… which that broke my heart.But I get it.”

Ohio Statewent 13-1 in 2018, with its only loss coming in Big Ten play against Purdue.The Buckeyes were left out of the playoff but rebounded with a Rose Bowl win over Washington in January 2019.Three months later, the San Francisco 49ers took Bosa No.2 overall.

Clemson and Alabama built a pseudo title-game rivalry in the mid-2010s.After dominating Ohio State in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl semifinal, the Tigers edged Alabama for the championship, redeeming a 45-40 loss to the Crimson Tide to close the 2015 season.

Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa sacks TCU quarterback Shawn Robinson during the Advocare Showdown at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sept.15, 2018.(Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire)

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Meyer also highlighted the depth of Ohio State’s 2018 defensive line, noting the presence of both Bosa and Chase Young.

“We had Chase Young and Nick Bosa (at defensive) end,” Meyer continued.“Our defense really struggled that year because Chase Young was hurt most of the year, and then Nick Bosa… he played three games and that was it.The offense was one of the top two (or) three offenses in the country.”

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Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young looks on during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl semifinal game against the Clemson Tigers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., on Dec.28, 2019.(Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire)

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Meyer concluded by declaring that year’s Ohio State team “was a national title team.” Meyer won three national championships as a coach, winning twiceat Floridaand once at Ohio State.

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