What’s strange is Carson Meyer is leaving Oxford because he wants to put behind him a year marred by the effects of a 25-inch tapeworm hanging around in his digestive system.
The Athletic has the whole story of Meyer, a central Ohio native and Columbus Blue Jackets prospect who couldn't figure out why he felt awful throughout last season for the RedHawks.
After totaling 10-16-26 in 32 games as a freshman, Meyer dipped to 6-4-10 in 36 games this season. He had 48 penalty minutes (up from 14 in 2017-18) and a minus-22 rating.
"Not only did I feel slow and way more tired than everybody else," Meyer said, "but I just had this mental fog. I couldn't even think straight. I'd be on the bench zoned out, and I had to snap myself out of it.
"When I had my exit physical, they showed me all of my medical complaints. They have to keep track of every time a player comes to them about something. My chart, from September to March, was just 'fatigue, fatigue, fatigue.' "
Once Meyer passed the worm, a clear picture of what he’d been going through emerged, but there was some collateral damage.
"I don't blame (Miami) for having no idea what was going on," Meyer said. "But I think they probably regret the way they handled it now. I didn't like the way it was handled. They had no idea just like I had no idea, but they used a bunch of different tactics to get me out of what they thought was just a slump.
"I love Miami, I love the people and I love my teammates," Meyer said. "But I needed a fresh start. I kind of ran out of hope playing there this year, just getting beat down all year. I need a fresh slate starting somewhere else."
If the Central Ohio native settles on continuing his career at Ohio State, he might have to wait a year to don the Scarlet and Gray.
If Meyer can’t get a waiver from the NCAA that would let him play right away, he’ll have to sit out a season per transfer rules.
Hasn’t he suffered enough?
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