- Terrelle Pryor on leaving Ohio State
Terrelle Pryor, the once coveted recruit in all of the country, has decided to leave Ohio State after his junior year.
Asked whether Pryor -- under investigation by the NCAA and Ohio State for possible more instances of receiving improper benefits -- planned to apply for the NFL supplemental draft, James said, "I think so".
The overlooked part of all this is that Terrelle now doesn't have to cooperate with the NCAA, meaning he doesn't have to talk to them, or even acknowledge their existence. He is free to do what he wants and now he has protected his teammates in doing so.
OSU athletic director Gene Smith said in a statement released by the school, "We understand Terrelle's decision and wish him well in this next phase of his life. We hope he returns to The Ohio State University one day to finish his degree."
Interim head coach Luke Fickell added, "I was notified this evening that Terrelle has decided to pursue a professional career. I wish him the best in his pursuits."
This comes a week after 10-year Ohio State coach Jim Tressel resigned under pressure, the culmination of a situation that started when he failed to pass along information to the OSU compliance officials in April 2010 that Pryor and some other players might be receiving improper benefits from a tattoo parlor owner.
Terrelle Pryor finishes with a record of 31-5 as a Buckeye with a 3-0 mark vs. Michigan and ends with 6177 passing yards 57 TDs, and 26 INTS. No QB in Ohio State's history has ever finished 4-0 vs the Wolverines.
Now the question has to be asked: Who will take over the reins of QB for Ohio State?
We will have more on this story tomorrow.
