It has been an unfortunately busy time on the police blotter for some Ohio State players, and Urban Meyer has responded by handing out punishment to four Buckeyes.
In an official announcement from the program, Meyer said he has suspended running back Carlos Hyde from all football team activities pending the outcome of the student code of conduct and criminal investigations. Hyde was named as a person of interest in a weekend assault case. The Columbus Dispatch reported earlier Monday that Hyde had been dismissed from the team; this announcement at least leaves the door open for Hyde's return, should he be cleared of charges.
Junior cornerback Bradley Roby will not attend Big Ten media days because of his misdemeanor arrest on a battery charge over the weekend in Bloomington, Ind. The team said Roby could face additional discipline as more information becomes known.
True freshman tight end Marcus Baugh, who was arrested earlier this month for underage possession of alcohol and possessing a fake identification, has been removed from all team activities and will sit out the first game of the season on Aug. 31 against Buffalo. He will also lose his scholarship money for summer school.
Finally, true freshman defensive lineman Tim Gardner has been sent home and will not be a part of the 2013 team after he was charged Saturday night by Columbus police with obstruction of official business.
“I have a clear set of core values in place that members of this football program are constantly reminded of and are expected to honor,” Meyer said in the school's release. “There are also expectations with regard to behavior. I expect our players to conduct themselves responsibly and appropriately and they will be held accountable for their actions.”
“Swift, effective and fair discipline is the standard for our entire athletics program,” Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith said in the statement. “I applaud Coach Meyer for his immediate actions.”
Meyer took quick and decisive action in these cases. Still, you can expect him to field several questions about disciplinary matters and off-field issues when he speaks at Big Ten media days on Wednesday in Chicago. The Buckeyes can only hope this is the last of their legal problems before the start of the season.