Former Buckeyes star Maurice Clarett returns to class at Ohio State
It's been a tumultuous eight years since Maurice Clarett led the Ohio State Buckeyes to a 14-0 record and the BCS national championship.
But now the former star running back is back at Ohio State to pursue his degree.
According to a statement released by the school, Clarett started classes Monday after being readmitted by the College of Education and Human Ecology. He took college-credit courses while serving 3 1/2 years in a Toledo prison after pleading guilty to committing aggravated robbery and carrying a concealed weapon in 2006.
"This is a surreal feeling to be back at Ohio State in such a supportive environment," Clarett said in a statement. "I have looked forward to being back in school, and I'm doing my best to fit in with other students. I don't want to be a distraction or nuisance to the football team or to students on campus."
Clarett rushed for 1,237 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Buckeyes in 2002. But during the offseason he was accused of academic misconduct and charged with filing a false police report and was suspended by the team for the entire 2003 season.
After losing his lawsuit to be included in the 2004 NFL draft despite not being three years out of high school, Clarett was a third-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2005. But he never played a down and was released by the team in August of the same year.
-- Chuck Schilken
Photo: Maurice Clarett with Ohio State in 2002. Credit: Jay LaPrete / Associated Press
Best of Luck Maurice! It's all about getting your degree and making a difference in the future!
Go Bucks!
Posted by: W.J. | July 27, 2010 at 11:31 AM
Wish nothing but the best of luck to Mo, hope to see him turn his life around.
Posted by: Nick V | July 27, 2010 at 02:03 PM
now you need to have spent time in jail to be admitted to a university?
Posted by: kuruc | July 27, 2010 at 03:10 PM
High School Seniors graduating from schools in and around Ohio have a hard time getting accepted into OSU. It's a by-product of the successful academics and athletics at OSU. this is how it should be!
However, to have a committed felon being admitted to OSU before deserving and qualified students is unmentionable. Especially, this POS!
I am ashamed of the university for, once again, bowing to this "has been". If he wants a college degree, then he can go to University of Miami (FL) like all the other felons!
Posted by: True Buckeye | July 30, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Who do I have to mug to get into this fine institution of higher learning?
Posted by: Duh OSU Diploma. Not Worth The Paper. | August 12, 2010 at 06:11 PM
I think if you all would take a moment and read up on the guy, you would see a much different person than the man who went to prison. I had heard he was going back to OSU and googled him, and came across the blog he kept while in prison. Interesting stuff... and from the way it reads, came from the heart of a guy who has had a change of heart.
Whatever happened to second chances?? Or does that only apply to the mistakes you make in your own life?
Posted by: StephC | August 14, 2010 at 02:39 PM