With an investigation still swirling around the Ohio State football program and coach Jim Tressel having resigned, the future of star quarterback Terrelle Pryor�(FSY)� appears murkier than ever.
By Terry Gilliam, AP
Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, right, is already gone. Is suspended quarterback Terrelle Pryor next?
By Terry Gilliam, AP
Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, right, is already gone. Is suspended quarterback Terrelle Pryor next?
Pryor is one of five Buckeyes already suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season for receiving impermissible benefits. Tressel earlier said the five pledged to return to the program for 2011. None entered April's NFL draft.
However, with the focus of an NCAA and school probe now on vehicles purchased by Pryor, other athletes and their family members, there is speculation that at least Pryor could enter an NFL supplemental draft this summer.
Former Buckeyes Robert Smith and Chris Spielman, who now work for ESPN, told the network Tuesday that the quarterback could be finished in Columbus.
"I'm hearing he may enter into the NFL supplemental draft," Smith said.
"I don't see Terrelle Pryor playing for OSU again this season," said Spielman.
NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in an e-mail that a supplemental draft could be held, regardless of the league's lockout, if players apply.
"There have been no applicants, so no date has been set," he said. "Applicants are evaluated for eligibility on a case-by-case basis. If a supplemental draft is held, it would be in mid-to-late July."
Ohio State spokesman Jerry Emig, when asked in an e-mail Tuesday about the players' status, responded, "We do not anticipate roster changes this fall."
NFL.com personnel evaluator Gil Brandt said Tuesday that of the five suspended Buckeyes, offensive tackle Mike Adams�(FSY)� is the best prospect. Brandt projects him as a first-rounder. He has Pryor 70th among next year's top 100 seniors.
Suspended running back Dan Herron is 85th on Brandt's list. Brandt considers Pryor and Herron draftable but not particularly high. He doesn't see suspended receiver DeVier Posey�(FSY)� or defensive lineman Solomon Thomas as draft prospects.
"(Pryor has) improved a lot since coming there," said Brandt. "Initially, he was kind of just a run-around, throw-it kind of guy. They've harnessed some of that energy and made him more of a solid player. He kind of settled down and threw the ball instead of taking off.
"I would say has to learn to pass with better accuracy. ? I imagine if he were to go into the supplemental draft, he would be a fourth-or fifth-rounder. ? The guy does look talented when you see him move around out there. But there'll be a lot of questions. Athletic ability is fine, but can he get the job done in other areas?"
Fox Sports analyst Charles Davis said teams should be wary of using a pick on Pryor in the supplemental draft, because the club would forfeit its choice in the corresponding round of next year's regular draft.
"Both Cam Newton and Tim Tebow�(FSY)� are light years ahead of Pryor," Davis said. "I'm not using any supplemental picks on him as a quarterback. I'd have to spend more time in the film room and really break it down."
Meanwhile, Ohio State spokesman Jim Lynch confirmed a school and NCAA probe is ongoing. A car salesman linked to sales to players said in a sworn affidavit released by OSU that he didn't offer special deals to Buckeyes. "The deals I did for Ohio State student-athletes were no different than any of the other 10,000-plus deals that I've done for all my other customers," Aaron Kniffin said.
The Columbus Dispatch has reported that the NCAA and Ohio State are investigating more than 50 vehicle purchases by Buckeyes players, family members and friends.
"I can tell you that obviously you have an open investigation," Lynch said. "The university and the NCAA are working jointly to review any new allegations that come to light. We're going to continue to do so until their investigation wraps up."
Tressel, who resigned under pressure Monday, has received supportive words from some other coaches.
Alabama coach Nick Saban and Tressel were on the same staff at Ohio State under then-coach Earle Bruce in the 1981 season.
"I guess if you were in the military, we would say we lost a fine comrade in this whole thing," Saban said Tuesday at the Southeastern Conference's spring meetings. "He's a good friend. We kind of grew up together in coaching. We crossed paths quite a bit, and I always had a tremendous amount of respect for Jim Tressel as a person and professionally ? the way he sort of handled his business with a lot of class and character.
"I don't know the details of this whole situation there," Saban continued. "But obviously, there were mistakes made, and there are going to be consequences for it. But I still think this is one of the finest people in our profession and certainly hate to see what's happening happen."
Contributing: Glenn Guilbeau, Thomas O'Toole, Steve Wieberg, Scott Zucker, wire reports
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