Breaking: Terrelle Pryor is “Another Clarett”

Terrelle Pryor’s exclusion from Fiesta Bowl media day was not policy. Instead, Coach Jim Tressel’s fear is that the freshman is a loose cannon. According to a university official with knowledge of football operations, Pryor is considered immature and untrustworthy.

“He’s plain and simple another Maurice Clarett and we aren’t getting burned by that one again,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “People are screaming let the kid talk. We let the kid talk, he’d be on the front cover of a magazine throwing his jersey in the trash. We’ve seen that film once.”

On March 19, Pryor announced that he would attend Ohio State. That announcement, hailed by Sport’s Illustrated as “the most anticipated in history,” was widely panned as arrogant and may have been, according to our source, a defining moment…even if it occurred prior to the quarterback’s arrival.

“At least when Mo [Clarett] announced, there wasn’t a hundred reporters there,” he said. “They tried to play it like this was just this humble kid pushed into the spotlight. Humble, my [expletive]. This is a kid who knows exactly where he is and what he is saying. That’s what has everyone so paranoid. You’d think the kid’s already won Troy’s Heisman.”

Troy, of course, refers to Troy Smith, the 2006 Heisman Trophy winner, who was a member of Ohio State’s previous three Fiesta Bowl teams. In his first season as a starter, Smith completed 68 of 122 passes for 896 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. In Pryor’s first season, he has completed 95 of 152 passes for 1,245 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Smith’s record was 4-1. Pryor’s is 8-1.

“His numbers are similar, yah they are,” the official said. “But you could tell from the outset, Troy was a special kid. He had something. TP doesn’t have that. He has all the talent and athleticism in the world. But in terms of off the field, I wouldn’t bet the stadium on him. I would’ve on Troy.”