Ohio State Suspends Three Players Before Season's Start

Ohio State has suspended three players before their season begins for receiving impermissible benefits at a charity event. This comes as Ohio State faces an NCAA investigation into players receiving tattoos and other goods at heavily discounted rates by trading game-worn gear.

Jordan Hall, running back, Corey Brown and Travis Howard, defensive backs, are all suspended for the season opener Saturday against Akron. They each received benefits of $300 or less. Ohio State reported the violations to the NCAA and is considering additional sanctions against the players.

The previous violations that Ohio State committed ended up costing long time head coach Jim Tressel his job for not reporting the violations sooner. Players Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams and Solomon Thomas were also suspended for the first five games of this season. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor was to have been suspended for five games as well, but ongoing investigations led him to declare for the NFL's supplemental draft where he was taken by the Oakland Raiders.

The latest suspensions leave Ohio State without two starters for the game on Saturday. The running back position must be filled by either Carlos Hyde, a sophomore, or Rod Smith, a freshman. Ohio State must also play sophomore Dominic Clarke at cornerback.