Ohio State Scandal

The Ohio State University may be in some trouble. Amidst allegations that led to starters for Ohio State’s football team, including quarterback Terrell Pryor, sitting out the first 5 games of the 2011 season things have got even  worst. First, Jim Tressel resigned as head coach and now Pryor says he will not return to Columbus for his senior season.

Pryor and Tressel both had great careers at Ohio State as it translates to wins. But, Tressel left his prior job at Youngstown State partly due to similair claims that his team wasn’t complying with NCAA rules. Since the story came out about players trading championship rings for tatoos before the Buckeyes bowl appearance last season, many are coming forward and speaking out about the pay-for-play system that was going on. Tressel was sent an email before the allegations surfaced and investigations began into the players accepting gifts and/or money.

Terrel Pryor who is one of several players that was named in the investigation that began in December. A couple of the other players were receiver DeMarr Posey and Boom Herron. To play in Ohio State’s Bowl appearance against Arkansas, the players had to promise then coach Tressel that they would return to the team next year to serve their suspensions for next season. Pryor renigged on his promise today and said he would not be playing for the Buckeyes next season. It is widely speculated that Pryor will enter his name into the NFL’s supplemental draft.

His decision comes days after a couple different reports emerged. One linked Pryor to an Ohio State booster named Dennis Talbot. According to a former friend of Pryor, the former Bucs QB was making thousands of dollars signing memoribilia. The booster denies these claims and says he only works with players once they’ve left the University. Just last week, after Tressel’s resignation, Pryor was seen driving to a player’s meeting in a new Volvo. His liscence was suspended and he had been seen driving as many as five different new cars.

An anonymous Ohio State player called Pryor’s actions selfish. I think most of the players liked and respected Tressel, but there is no questions there were rules being broken. Why else would both of the key names involved in the incident choose to leave the situation instead of trying to clear their names?

Lets not forget how highly recruited Pryor was coming out of Pennsylvania as a two sport star 3 years ago. Do you think the benefits offered by those close to the team may have been a determining factor in his choice of schools? Of course it was. Maurice Clarrett had similar issues while at Ohio State under Tressel’s tenure. While this investigaion continues, it will be interesting to see what else might come out that was happening with this program.