Jake Stoneburner began the 2011 season by catching three touchdown passes in a season-opening win over Akron. Unfortunately, the tight end could very well end it watching his teammates from the sidelines.
Interim head coach Luke Fickell confirmed Saturday that Stoneburner underwent arthroscopic knee surgery shortly after the end of the regular season. While the junior has not been ruled out of Monday’s Gator Bowl matchup with Florida, it doesn’t appear he will see the field much if at all.
“He obviously won’t be able to play a ton,” Fickell told the media. “He’s not in shape to be able to get in there [every down]. But we’re still hoping there are some situational things we can use him on.”
Stoneburner tied for the team lead in receptions with 14 and led the Buckeyes with seven touchdowns receptions. In the last 10 games of the season, however, he had just six catches and three scores.