Browns' Terrelle Pryor allowed to scrimmage at Ohio State in August
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- For at least one day, Terrelle Pryor's ban from working out on Ohio State's campus will be lifted early.
Provided that the former Ohio State quarterback is still on the Cleveland Browns roster when they scrimmage at Ohio Stadium in August, the converted wide receiver will be allowed to participate despite continuing to serve a five-year ban for his role in the scandal that ended Jim Tressel's career with the program.
"He should be allowed to participate as a member of the Cleveland Browns when they are on campus at Ohio State in August, if he is a member of the team," an Ohio State spokesman confirmed Wednesday. "His participation should be identical to that of all team members, with no special accommodations provided to him due to his Ohio State affiliation."
Pryor's official ties to the school still will be on hold for another year, dating back to his decision not to cooperate with the NCAA when Ohio State was investigated in 2011 for charges that ultimately led to a bowl ban, scholarship losses, vacated wins and the end of careers with the program for both the decorated quarterback and Tressel, his coach.
Pryor then was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the NFL supplemental draft, but he has failed to catch on as a passer in the NFL and is currently trying to make the Browns as a wide receiver. Cleveland claimed Pryor on waivers this week after he had been released by theCincinnati Bengals.
The dual-threat weapon actually hauled in a touchdown catch for the Buckeyes early in his career in a part-time role, and Pryor's versatile athleticism has long generated speculation that he could play elsewhere on the field in an effort to stick around as a professional.
If he can make it until Aug. 7, when the Browns take the field at the Horseshoe as they continue to market themselves in the Columbus market, Pryor will have a chance to step back on a field where he once set records earlier than originally scheduled.
"It is our understanding that there is no issue [with Pryor taking part with the Browns], but we are clarifying," Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith had told The Columbus Dispatch on Tuesday. "The intent (of the ban) we believe was [to keep him from] working out [in OSU facilities], not performing through a rental arrangement with an NFL team."
