COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nick Vannett did a simple five-yard out-route in the end zone when he was tagged with a helmet-to-helmet hit by true freshman Chris Worley. Everyone gasped.
That was in August of 2013 during Ohio State's first full-padded practice. It was also before the season when the NCAA was first implementing its targeting rule.
Worley was a new, wide-eyed kid who wanted to leave an impact. And he did, smacking Vannett in the head and temporarily stopping time for those who saw it.
When Worley turned around, there was a flag on the ground.