By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland Plain Dealer) -

Ohio State’s players reported for the start of camp this afternoon, with a team meeting tonight and first practice tomorrow.

Football spokesperson Shelly Poe said 103 players are in camp, two under the 105 limit for the start of practice. Three players who are not here are receiver Ray Small, defensive lineman Rob Rose and linebacker Tyler Moeller.

Small and Rose have been dealing with eligibility issues related to summer school, though Small’s father and Rose himself indicated last week that they expected to be at camp.

Moeller, however, is a completely different issue, and is dealing with an injury that has sidelined him at this point.

According to NCAA rules, Ohio State may expand its roster after the first game of the season. Also, the Buckeyes may replace a player in the initial group of 105 if there is an injury that sidelines that player and causes him to be removed from the 105.

The flexibility of reporting at 103 was maintained in order to leave spots open for players in uncertain situations. But, obviously, at this point the Buckeyes aren’t counting on having all three players - Rose and Small and Moeller - around for the season opener against Navy on Sept. 5.

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