But the Ohio State tailback faces a multigame suspension.
By Associated Press
Published August 23, 2003
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett was cleared to resume practicing but will be suspended for "multiple games" because of an NCAA investigation into an exaggerated theft report, the university said Friday.
Clarett, who rushed for a school-record 1,237 yards last season, helped lead the Buckeyes to the national championship. He scored the winning touchdown in Ohio State's 31-24 double-overtime victory over defending champion Miami on Jan.3 in the Fiesta Bowl.
Asked if he had been assured Clarett would return at some point this season, coach Jim Tressel said, "I haven't been assured of anything."
The university received several pages of allegations from the NCAA against Clarett on Thursday and discussed them with the sophomore Friday, athletic director Andy Geiger said.
Clarett smiled and waved as he left an almost three-hour meeting at Ohio State's St. John Arena accompanied by his mother, Michelle, and three attorneys. Clarett wore shorts, running shoes, a backward San Diego Padres cap and a Bob Marley T-shirt that read, "No More Trouble" on the back.
The NCAA and Ohio State investigated Clarett's acknowledged overstatement of the value of items stolen in April from a vehicle he borrowed from a local car dealership.
In a police report, he said he lost items totaling more than $10,000 when thieves broke into the 2001 Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
The suspension was for non-academic allegations. A 10-person university panel probing charges of academic fraud involving Clarett is a separate investigation from that which led to his suspension.
"Our next step is to make a recommendation to the NCAA concerning the length of Maurice's suspension," Geiger said. "Then, we wait for their reply.
"I'm just excited to see his face and to see him smile a little bit and to see how anxious Maurice is to be back with his guys," Tressel said.
Tressel added Clarett had asked if he could practice today.
"I said, "Well, you'd be alone because we're giving the guys the day off,"' Tressel said.
The second-ranked Buckeyes open the season Aug.30 against No.17 Washington.
Kay Hawes, an NCAA spokeswoman, said the NCAA does not have the authority to suspend Clarett and it is up to Ohio State to determine his eligibility.
Clarett remains on scholarship. Classes resume Sept.24.
There had been speculation that, if his penalty were too severe, Clarett might forgo the remainder of his collegiate eligibility and play in the Canadian Football League or challenge the NFL rule that prevents players from joining the league before they have been out of high school three years.
Geiger said he thought Clarett would be on the field for the Buckeyes again. Asked if he thought he would return this year, Geiger said, "I don't know that."
After the NCAA began looking into the exaggerated theft report from April, Tressel and Geiger said they would hold Clarett out of team activities "until and unless" his eligibility matters were resolved.
Clarett, 19, is majoring in family resource management.
The 6-foot, 230-pound tailback scored 18 touchdowns last season as the Buckeyes went 14-0 and won their first national championship in 34 years.
Geiger said Ohio State was not in jeopardy of losing its national championship. He said no institutional penalties or sanctions were being discussed.
Tressel said he felt a sense of guilt that one of his players had made mistakes.
"Anyone who feels strongly about what they do, when it doesn't go as well as they would like it, if you don't feel bad about it then shame on you," he said.
