Less Mo

Report: Buckeyes will not seek Clarett's reinstatement

Maurice Clarett was initially relegated to Ohio State's scout team. AP

ATLANTA (SI.com) -- Maurice Clarett's days as an Ohio State Buckeye are done, according to a report by Cleveland TV station WJW.

The station reported on Monday that the school's internal investigation revealed thousands of dollars in extra benefits that Clarett received, and as a result the school would not seek his reinstatement by the NCAA.

The Columbus Dispatch reported Tuesday that Ohio State is ready to recommend Clarett's status be moved to "indefinite suspension," which would make Clarett ineligible to play for the foreseeable future. However, Ohio State athletic director Andy Geiger would not confirm the report.

The sophomore, who piled up Ohio State freshman records of 1,237 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns while leading the Buckeyes to the national championship in 2002, had not played this season while the investigation was underway. The Buckeyes won their first two games in his absence.

Geiger had said Clarett was suspended because of allegations of accepting improper benefits and for misleading investigators. Ohio State had been working for the past two weeks on a response to "several pages" of allegations sent by the NCAA to the university.

Clarett was suspended Aug. 22 but was permitted to return to the team to practice. On Tuesday, coach Jim Tressel said Clarett would no longer be allowed to work out with the team.

Suing the NFL for early entrance is among the options Clarett and his mother are considering, the family's attorney said Thursday. The NFL does not allow players to be eligible for its draft until they have been out of high school at least three years. Clarett is a sophomore and, under the rule, could not be selected until the 2005 draft at the earliest.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.