COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Former NFL linebacker and key member of Ohio State’s 2014 national championship football team, Darron Lee, was charged in his girlfriend’s murder after her body was found in a Tennessee home.

According to WTVC, deputies in Hamilton County went to a residence on February 5 on Snow Cone Way in Ooltewah to a report of CPR in progress. First responders located a female victim and attempted life-saving measures, but she died from her injuries.

Sheriff’s detectives said her death was the result of a homicide. Her boyfriend, Darron Lee, was identified as the suspect and taken into custody at the scene.

WTVC said the date of birth for Lee in the county booking system matches the ESPN profile of a former NFL linebacker of the same name.

Lee, a former OSU linebacker, was the defensive MVP of Ohio State’s unforgettable Sugar Bowl win over Alabama in 2015, paving the way for the Buckeyes most recent football title.

He played high school football at New Albany, and after leaving OSU early to declare for the NFL Draft, Lee was drafted in the first round by the New York Jets. He also played for Kansas City, with whom he won a Super Bowl, as well as Buffalo and Las Vegas.

Lee was arrested for assault and domestic violence in Dublin back in 2023. He pleaded guilty to a lesser offense in 2025, resulting in a 90-day jail sentence, with 88 days suspended. He was placed on probation through February 2027.

He has now been charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in Hamilton County.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Travel conditions across Northeast Ohio are expected to deteriorate in waves Friday as an Alberta clipper and Arctic front move through the region, bringing multiple rounds of winter weather during both the morning and evening commutes.

While this is not expected to be a major snowstorm, the system is likely to create multiple periods of hazardous travel Friday. Widespread snowfall of 2 to 4 inches is expected across Northeast Ohio, with an additional inch or two possible in the snowbelt east of Cleveland.

A winter weather advisory remains in effect for all of Northeast Ohio through early Saturday, with forecasters emphasizing that the combination of snow, blowing snow and sharply falling temperatures — rather than just totals — will drive travel impacts.

Early morning: Freezing drizzle, light snow create slick start

Some areas of Northeast Ohio saw freezing drizzle around daybreak Friday, a setup that can quickly glaze untreated roads and sidewalks.

Snow is expected to overspread the area around 8 a.m. Forecasters say light to occasionally moderate snowfall will make roads snow covered in spots, particularly on secondary streets.

While snowfall rates are not expected to be extreme, the combination of cold pavement temperatures and early precipitation could slow the morning commute.

Within Northeast Ohio, lighter but steady snow is expected through late morning, while the heaviest snowfall rates are forecast farther southwest of the region.

Late morning into early afternoon: Snow tapers, brief lull

Snow is expected to ease or end from west to east late Friday morning into early afternoon, allowing road crews a window to improve conditions.

Forecasters caution that this lull will be temporary and should not be mistaken for the end of the event.

Evening commute: Arctic front brings burst of snow, squalls

The most hazardous conditions are expected late Friday afternoon into the evening as an Arctic cold front sweeps across Northeast Ohio between roughly 4 and 8 p.m.

A broken line of heavier snow showers or snow squalls are expected to accompany the front, producing brief but intense snowfall rates, rapidly falling visibility and a quick hit of snow on roadways. Wind gusts could reach 35 to 45 mph, leading to blowing and drifting snow, especially in open areas.

Temperatures will drop sharply behind the front, allowing any moisture on roadways to freeze quickly and worsen travel conditions.

Overnight: Snow tapers, dangerous cold sets in

Snow showers will gradually diminish late Friday night, though localized lake-enhanced snow may linger in parts of the snowbelt.

Behind the storm, Arctic air will surge into the region, sending overnight temperatures down to between 5 and minus 5 degrees. Wind chills are expected to fall to 15 to 25 degrees below zero by early Saturday, prompting a cold weather advisory across the region through noon Saturday.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are still feeling the effects of losing in the College Football Playoffs, when they were one of the favorites to win it all, but the focus shifts to the 2026 season and preparations for it.

Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day released a new episode of his show “The Ryan Day Show” when he talked about his young quarterback Julian Sayin after finishing his first season as the starting quarterback. Day made sure everyone knew his feelings on Sayin.

“We feel like we have the best quarterback coming back in college football next year,” Day said. “One of the youngest guys to get to New York City, I think, in a while. Most of the guys who’ve been going there are older guys. So we’re all excited about this year for him and taking the next step, even as a leader, and all the different things. But obviously a great first year for him.”

Ryan Day backs his quarterback Julian Sayin as the best in the nation in 2026

Sayin was very impressive in his first full season as the starter and proved his coach right, proving he is one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. He finished with a completion percentage of 77% and a QBR of 88.4, throwing for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns to eight interceptions.

It helps that Sayin has two of the best wide receivers in the nation at his disposal: Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith. Sayin also had one of the top tight ends in college football with Max Klare helping out.

The 2026 season will be a true test for Sayin as the starting quarterback, as he will still have Smith, but Klare and Tate are heading to the NFL. Ohio State could lean more on running back Bo Jackson to help in the run game to balance out the offense, but more pressure is on Sayin to perform.

Another challenge for Sayin is the tougher schedule Ohio State will face compared to the one it had in the 2025 season. The Buckeyes will have to play top teams like Oregon, Indiana, Texas, and Michigan on the calendar. Not an easy task for a team with a lot to prove after their disappointing 2025 campaign.

There’s a lot of belief in Sayin that he will be an early favorite to win the Heisman Trophy in 2026, and with Day by his side, the Buckeyes might have a tougher season ahead, but they have always had enough talent to work through their struggles. They should be considered for the national title because of their quarterback.