COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 4, 2005) -- Maurice Clarett won't be allowed to work out for NFL scouts with his former Ohio State teammates during workouts at his old school next week.
University spokesman Steve Snapp denied the running back's assertion that he would be there at "Pro Day" for scouts on March 9.
Snapp said Clarett wasn't invited but didn't say why.
Clarett has alienated his former school with his allegations that Ohio State administrators and coaches broke NCAA rules by arranging perks for players.
After last weekend's NFL combine in Indianapolis Clarett said he would participate in the Pro Day at Ohio State. His times of 4.72 and 4.82 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the combine are considered extremely slow for a running back.
Steve Feldman, Clarett's agent, said that Clarett wouldn't fight the school's decision to exclude him from the drills next week.
"Out of respect for Ohio State, we're not going to argue the point," Feldman said.
Instead, Feldman has arranged a workout for Clarett in Youngstown on April 1 when pro scouts are in the area to watch quarterback Charlie Frye work out at the University of Akron. Transportation will be provided to shuttle any NFL personnel from Akron east to Youngstown, and back to Akron.
"We're just trying to make it as convenient as possible for as many of the decision-makers as we can to see him," Feldman said. "He had a poor performance at the combine. He's got to make it up."
Clarett has charged that Ohio State coach Jim Tressel set him up with a loaner car and oversaw a football program in which players were provided improper academic help, were paid by boosters and were given high-paying, no-show summer jobs.
Clarett set Ohio State freshman rushing and scoring records in 2002, leading the Buckeyes to their first national championship in 34 years. He was suspended before the next season for lying to NCAA and university investigators and never played another college game.
He then sued the NFL for early admission to the league's draft but, after an early victory in federal court, lost on appeal and in several subsequent appeals.
During an interview before the start of the combine last week, he said, "I love Ohio State. I've been a Buckeye, I'm going to continue to be a Buckeye and continue to support 'em."
