Terrelle Pryor: 5 Reasons Ohio State Should Let Him Go

Now that head coach Jim Tressel resigned from Ohio State earlier this week, the attention now turns to star quarterback Terrelle Pryor. At this point in the tumultuous offseason, Ohio State needs to let him go.

He is already going to be suspended for the first five games of the season and I have five reasons Ohio State needs to cut bait for their star quarterback immediately to give the reins to somebody else.

Does Pryor have the character to use this situation as a catalyst for future success? Will his Ohio State fans, coaches and teammates trust him anymore?

Ohio State must pry themselves away from Terrelle Pryor.

5. Put a Black Eye on the Buckeyes

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates the Buckeyes 31-26 victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Loui

Most in Ohio State truly liked Jim Tressel. He was a National Championship winning head coach who consistently churned out winning season after winning season. Although the team slipped up last year, they still ended the year with a big Sugar Bowl victory.

Despite the allegations and eventual admittance of guilt, many Ohio State fans still had Tressel’s back. Yes, he lied, but he was covering up for his players, as most parents would do for their children.

I put most of the blame for this entire situation on Terrelle Pryor himself. As one of the captains of the team and usually coming across cocky, I can only declare him the ring leader for everything. As the main star, he had the most to gain and flaunted it.

He helped put this black eye on the Buckeyes program and will forever be associated with it.

4. Still Coachable?

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: (M) Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is helped off the field by a member of the Buckeyes support team after the Buckeyes 31-26 victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at

We all know Terrelle Pryor is not the most mature kid in college. He clearly had a relationship with Jim Tressel, since Tress was willing to put his neck on the line for Pyror and his teammates.

Yet now that the vest is no longer in Ohio State, it is going to be interesting to see how he responds to the rest of the coach staff, but even more interesting to see how the coaching staff will react to him.

As he expects to head to the NFL after the season, I question whether or not he will even listen to any other coach besides Tressel at this point. Will he choose to shut out the other Ohio State coaches?

This is a player who clearly thinks he’s bigger than the rest and could tune out the coaching staff.

3. Fan Backlash

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates the Buckeyes 31-26 victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Loui

It’s easy to picture Terrelle Pryor marching onto the field to a chorus of boos from Ohio State fans. It’s easy to picture all of the students giving him the stink eye as he walks around campus.

This is a star player who cost the program one of the best coaches in the nation. The fans will not be happy about this.

I don’t think Pryor will ever hear the end of it from the fans and it will surely take its toll on him on and off the field. I could see him crumbling under the pressure as the heat wave of hatred overwhelms him on the field and haunts him in his sleep.

2. Teammates Won’t Trust Him

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: (M) Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is helped off the field by teammates Etienne Sabino #6 and Andrew Sweat #42 after the Buckeyes 31-26 victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Su

After Pryor cost his teammates a Championship winning coach for his own selfish reasons, it is safe to assume that this locker room will be divided, immediately.

The quarterback is supposed to be the responsible leader of the team, and Pryor failed miserable to show his teammates he is that man.

Everyone will forever question his motives and it would be difficult for him to regain the trust of his teammates. As the locker becomes divided, just imagine how the players will react on the field. His lineman may give up quicker on plays and his receivers may not go all out for passes or run precise routes.

This is all a recipe for disaster with Pryor starting behind center.

1. This Will Not Be the Catalyst for Future Success

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates the Buckeyes 31-26 victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Pho

I have to admit it, I thought Terrelle Pryor was going to be amazing out of high school. He had the size and athleticism needed to dominate the collegiate game.

Oops.

Turns out that man was actually Cam Newton, who put together a Heisman and BCS Championship winning campaign last year.

Pryor has failed to impress me throwing, running and leading this team. I don’t believe he will amount to much in the NFL and definitely do not think he will lead this team to the Championship.

He will leave after the season, but the Buckeyes need to cut their bait now. He will not win a Heisman, and I have my reservations that he will actually improve this season. I don’t think he has the work ethic or character to truly use this as a stepping stone to success and improve.

This entire situation and backlash will hinder his ability, which in turn will make for an even more disastrous 2011 season.