Ohio State Football: Latest News, Injuries and Team Updates

Although the Ohio State Buckeyes can't participate in a bowl game this season, that hasn't stopped the overwhelming excitement for the new college football season. The future looks extremely bright for this Ohio State program, as it brought in a new head coach in Urban Meyer, a loaded 2012 recruiting class and return a majority of last year's starters.

With the spring practices over, the Buckeyes can begin focusing on the regular season as we inch closer to the fall.

Here is the latest Buckeye news and updates for the 2012 season.

Alex Anzalone Decommits

While the Buckeyes have a ridiculous 2012 recruiting class, they have also begun dominating the 2013 class as well. One of those top recruits that picked Ohio State early was outside linebacker Alex Anzalone, but has recently decommitted after finding a photo of himself on the Internet with a convicted sex offender.

The offender's name is Charles Eric Waugh, and he posed for photos with several recruits, only to later post them all over Twitter and other media websites. This has spooked the 4-star recruit, and he's back on the market.

Anzalone's father says that his son could still end up becoming a Buckeye when it's all said and done.

"It's a possibility," Sal Anzalone said. "Things change. You can't hold them responsible for other people's behavior."

The linebacker also has offers from schools such as Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Notre Dame and USC, among others.

Buckeyes Focus on Another Goal

We know that the Buckeyes are banned from postseason play for this season, but that hasn't stopped them from being a motivated bunch. Instead of focusing on a Big Ten title or BCS National Championship, they have changed their goals for this year.

"We want to win every game," fullback Zach Boren said (via ESPN). "It would be very satisfying for this group of seniors with everything we've been through to go out and go 12-0. That would be just as good as going to any bowl."

The Buckeyes haven't had an undefeated season since 2002, when Jim Tressel was the head coach. And while they may want to win every game this year, there is one game that sticks out above them all.

"This year's Michigan game is going to be like the national championship game," Buckeyes tight end Jake Stoneburner said. "It will be important for Coach Meyer because it's his first Michigan game. It's our Senior Day. It's our Super Bowl."

Who says this team has nothing to play for this season?

Jacoby Boren Recovering

Freshman Jacoby Boren had a solid spring practice, but has recently underwent shoulder surgery in hopes of being healthy by the time the fall arrives. He suffered a torn labrum back in his high school days, and Urban Meyer had him go under the knife so he could be completely healthy in fall camp.

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“So far it has gone well and I haven’t had too much pain at all really, so things have really gone smooth so far,” Boren said (via Scout). “I definitely want to be back by the season. It all depends on how my body reacts. The plan is definitely to be back by camp, but right now we’re taking it one step at a time and see where it goes.”

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Boren played mostly guard in high school, but has been competing with Brian Bobek for the back-up center position. He's a 6'2", 285-pound athletic player who is considered by many to be an extremely tough kid.

Ohio State Ranks No. 20 in New ESPN Poll

ESPN recently released a preseason poll ranking the top 25 teams in college football heading into the fall. The Buckeyes sit at No. 20.

In a recent article, 40 percent of you believe that ESPN got the ranking correct, while 41.5 percent think the Buckeyes deserve a little bit more love.

Updates

This article will be updated throughout the offseason and through the fall with any injury updates, position battles or any other breaking news concerning the Ohio State Buckeyes.