Ohio State Football Status Report: Tyleik Williams “Full Go”, Mitchell Melton and Aaron Scott Jr. Out Against Northwestern

Defensive end Mitchell Melton and cornerback Aaron Scott Jr., backups at their respective spots, are out against the Wildcats. Star defensive tackle Tyleik Williams is expected to return after missing last week’s contest against Purdue.

Melton has played 93 snaps this year as the fifth defensive end in Ohio State’s rotation and has tallied 11 tackles, four tackles for loss and two sacks in that time. Last week, the Buckeyes played a first-quarter package with him at the hybrid defensive end/linebacker “Jack” position, but he did not return to action after playing just four defensive snaps.

Scott, a freshman and five star view according to the 247Sports composite, had been a second-string cornerback for Ohio State along with Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Lorenzo Styles Jr. Scott has played 62 snaps this year with two tackles and a pass breakup. Calvin Simpson-Hunt, the next man behind Scott in the Buckeyes’ cornerback rotation, is also out, meaning freshman Bryce West will be in line for second-team action at cornerback if available. West shed his black streak this week.

Ohio State’s no. 2 tight end Will Kacmarek and offensive tackle Zen Michalski also remain out against Northwestern along with walk-ons TC Caffey, Jace Middleton and Reis Stocksdale.

Williams did not play last week after leaving with an injury in the fourth quarter at Penn State on Nov. 2. He was considered available against the Boilermakers, but was held out for safety reasons, with Ryan Day saying after the game that he could have played if needed. The head coach said Friday that Williams is “full throttle” to play against Northwestern.

“He’s ready to go, he’s in full swing,” Day told reporters at the Buckeyes’ hotel.

Ohio State and Northwestern kick off at noon on Saturday at Wrigley Field, with the Big Ten Network set to broadcast the contest.