Five Buckeyes, including Pryor, suspended for five games in '11
By Jeff Seemann
FOXSportsOhio.com
Thursday, Dec. 23, 2010
Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor and four of his teammates have been suspended for the first five games of next season by the NCAA for accepting improper benefits. Another player will sit one game.
Pryor, offensive lineman Mike Adams, running back Dan "Boom" Herron,
wide receiver DeVier Posey and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, all
juniors, received the five-game suspensions, the university and the governing body for college athletics announced Thursday. Freshman linebacker Jordan
Whiting will miss one game.
All will be eligible for the Buckeyes' appearance in the Jan. 4 Sugar Bowl against Arkansas.
Ohio State will appeal the suspensions to the NCAA beginning next week. If the suspensions are not overturned, the players will sit out games
against Akron, Toledo, Miami (Fla.), Colorado and Michigan State.
"While we believe sanctions should be rendered, we do believe they are severe," Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said. "We do believe we can give mitigating circumstances for the NCAA to consider."
In addition, the players must pay restitution that will go to charitable organizations.
"These young men went into these decisions with the right intent, to help their families," Smith said.
The Buckeyes came under scrutiny when reports surfaced earlier this week that several players might have received improper benefits in the form of free tattoos at a Columbus parlor. The story quickly gained steam, and Ohio State launched an internal investigation.
