Do We Really Want Athletes Bringing This Kind Of Baggage To Ohio State?
It’s the big question OSU fans shouldn’t have to ask: Why are some OSU recruits the last couple years getting into trouble before they’re even OSU freshmen?
The more important question: Why are they still coming to OSU?
Our latest candidate is OSU recruit Jamel Turner, whom police say was shot over the weekend. Now, let’s be very clear: Turner hasn’t actually been charged with anything… but what does this incident say about his character? Why would someone put himself in a position to have this happen? You can only chalk up so much to being “young and naïve.”
Look at the Jaamal Berry case from last year. Berry got busted last summer for marijuana possession. He wound up taking a deal that would mean dropping the charge in exchange for attending a diversion program. Sorry, folks… to me that means “no contest.” Yet, for some reason, there was never talk of suspension, losing his scholarship… nothing. Berry only missed time last year because he was redshirted. I believe that sets a dangerous precedent for the credibility of the OSU program.
"Coach Tressel has 'assumed' Turner is finishing school in Youngstown so he can report in the summer? Should someone double-check, maybe?"
This time, we’re potentially talking about drugs and guns.
This doesn’t seem to be the only questionable thing about him. The Columbus Dispatch notes Turner was kicked off his basketball team in 2009 for disciplinary reasons, wound up at a military academy, and then dropped out there last month. And Coach Tressel has “assumed” Turner is finishing school in Youngstown so he can report in the summer? Ummmm… should someone double-check, maybe?
Word of advice, coach… you might want to give the kid a call and ask him what is going through his head, and maybe ask him if he is finishing school (kind of important to have that diploma to come to college, after all). Most importantly, Coach Tressel needs to ask this kid where his priorities are.
Again, Jamel Turner has not been charged with anything here. However, if there is any truth to him being in a car with a guy with a long rap sheet of drug and gun convictions, with drugs and guns in the vehicle… should fans still feel good about this kid? There is “falling in with a bad crowd,” and then there is stuff like this.
If being a part of [OSU's football program] isn’t incentive enough to stay away from foolish situations like this… maybe it’s time for Turner to look elsewhere.
Obviously, I hope he’s alright. I certainly don’t wish any harm to this kid, and I know this sounds a lot like a “guilt by association” argument against him. However, any sane person has to ask. What “discipline” problem got him kicked off his basketball team? Why did he leave school last month? Is he really dedicated to being part of the OSU football program?
If Buckeye fans don’t deserve to know, at least OSU does. After all, the university is holding a scholarship for him.
This isn’t Lawrence Phillips-era Nebraska. It isn’t the University of Miami of the late 80s and early 90s. This is The Ohio State University football program, one of the greatest and proudest programs in college football. If being a part of one of the sport’s most storied programs – and playing for one of the nation’s best coaches – isn’t incentive enough to stay away from drugs, guns and the foolish situations that come with them… maybe it’s time for Turner to look elsewhere.
Quite frankly, maybe OSU should make his decision easy… and just let him go now.