Terrelle Pryor Among Five Ohio State Buckeyes Suspended For Tattoo Bartering

Wednesday Night:

According to a Columbus television station, Ohio State is looking into a local tattoo parlor filled with autographed Buckeye memorabilia, which the parlor claims they acquired from football players in exchange for free tattoos.

If proved true, the Buckeyes could be facing suspensions from eight to nine players for their January 4th matchup with Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl.

While names of players have not been released, Kirk Herbstreit stated during a broadcast of the Boise State-Utah Maaco Las Vegas Bowl that starting running back Dan "Boom" Herron and quarterback Terrell Pryor were two of the players allegedly involved in these violations.

This could be a devastating loss for a team that has had recent woes against SEC opponents without facing NCAA violations.

According to Yahoo Sports, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, athletic director Gene Smith, the school’s compliance director and other university officials did not immediately return telephone, text and e-mail messages left by The Associated Press.

Pryor has recently taken to his Twitter account, denying any such allegation.

Thursday Morning:

Pyror, Herron, WR Devier Posey, OL Mike Adams and DE Solomon Thomas have all been suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season.

All have been cleared to play in the Sugar Bowl on January 4th against Arkansas

OSU athletic Director Gene Smith says that the school plans on appealing the suspensions.

According to Yahoo Sports, Adams must repay $1,000 for selling his 2008 Big Ten championship ring and Herron, the team’s top back, must repay $1,150 for selling his football jersey, pants and shoes for $1,000 and receiving discount services worth $150.

Posy sold his 2008 Big Ten ring for $1,200 and also received discount services, while Pryor must repay $2,500 for selling his Big Ten ring, Fiesta Bowl sportsmanship award and his 2008 gold pants, a trinket given to players who are a part of a team which beats rival Michigan.

It is not clear if Pyror or others will now declare for the NFL draft instead of sitting out for nearly half the season.  Pryor has previously stated that he planned on returning for his senior year.