Ohio State RB Bri’onte Dunn dismissed from program

Ohio State lost a key component of its running back corps, as Buckeyes’ head football coach Urban Meyer announced Monday that senior running back Bri’onte Dunn has been dismissed from the team.

Even though Dunn’s absence will leave Ohio State thinner at running back, finding yardage shouldn’t be a problem.

With Ezekiel Elliott leaving for the National Football League, the Buckeyes were expected to turn to a combination of Bri’onte Dunn and Mike Weber to take over running back duties. Redshirt freshman Mike Weber is expected to be the starter by the start of the regular season. “Nobody is separating themselves yet”, Meyer said.

He had 91 yards on 14 carries a year ago and 287 career rushing yards.

Despite the initial reports being an unspecified violation of team rules, Jordan Strack of WTOL 11 in Toledo reported that sources told him Dunn’s dismissal came after he had an altercation with a female. After redshirting in 2013, Dunn combined for 154 yards and a score on 23 carries in 2014 and 2015. He graduated in May with his degree in sport industry.

Dunn, a native of Canton, Ohio, was a four-star recruit in the 2012 class. Junior H-back Curtis Samuel or true freshman Antonio Williams could see second-string duties in 2016.