SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Chris Olave stared ahead, arms straight ahead and elbows locked as he gripped the sides of his locker, holding himself up. His head was bowed as he stood, with K.J. Hill sitting to his left and assistant wide receivers coach Keenan Bailey looking into the abyss on his right. Josh Myers stood alone in the middle of the locker room giving off a mixture of emotions, sadness and incredulity chief among them.
The game, a 29-23 loss to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl, had ended barely a half-hour before, and most of the Buckeyes had exited the locker room for the final time this season.